Antarctic Food Chain in Peril, Study Finds (Warming killed 80% of krill)

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-sci-krill4nov04.story
Antarctic Food Chain in Peril, Study Finds
Krill have declined by 80% since 1976, researchers say. The tiny crustaceans are vital for whales and other sea life.
By Usha Lee McFarling
Times Staff Writer

November 4, 2004

Krill — the heart of the rich Antarctic food chain that nourishes whales, seals and penguins — have declined by more than 80% in the last 25 years in key ocean regions, according to a new study that links the loss to warming temperatures.

The new research, published in today's issue of the journal Nature, is the first comprehensive attempt to estimate numbers of the small, shrimp-like creatures that once were so abundant that their swarms colored vast patches of the southern oceans blood red.

Now, krill have largely been replaced by salp, clear, gelatinous invertebrates that provide so little nutrition to predators that they are considered ecological dead-ends, said Angus Atkinson, a marine biologist with the British Antarctic Survey who led the study.

Such a steep decline in krill could decimate the region's abundant wildlife, ecologists said. <snip>

[patrice]

1. Truly scary. The perfect storm builds . . . . n/t

[Lorien]

4. It's a chain that leads to US, too bad most don't see that

I've never understood why fundies have such contempt for God's creation. It's sick.

[cornfedyank]

2. ecological dead-ends...

feel like i've meet a few

[rfkrocks]

3. Krill are probably pro gay marriage

and anti-gun and french to boot-don't want none of them around