Keystone predators govern the pathway and pace of climate impacts in a subarctic marine ecosystem
Douglas B. Rasher, Robert S. Steneck, Jochen Halfar, Kristy J. Kroeker, Justin B. Ries, M. Tim Tinker, P. Chan, Jan Fietzke, Nicholas A. Kamenos, Brenda Konar, Jonathan S. Lefcheck, Chris J. D. Norley, Benjamin P. Weitzman, Isaac Westfield, James A. Estes
Abstract
(which gave rise to herbivores capable of causing bioerosion), and then accelerated with ocean warming and acidification (which increased per capita lethal grazing by 34 to 60% compared with preindustrial times). Thus, keystone predators can mediate the ways in which climate effects emerge in nature and the pace with which they alter ecosystems.
Topics & Concepts
Subarctic climateEcosystemKeystone speciesPredationPaceEcologyClimate changeMarine ecosystemEcosystem servicesApex predatorEnvironmental scienceGeographyBiologyGeodesyOcean Acidification Effects and ResponsesCoral and Marine Ecosystems StudiesMarine and fisheries research