Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic - A Comparative Perspective

Nils Chr. Stenseth, Geir Ottersen, James W. Hurrell, and Andrea Belgrano

Comprehensive overview of climate effects on marine ecology
North Atlantic focus, but offers a broader perspective regarding other seas as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems
Well suited for researchers and students within the general field of ecology and marine ecology in particular
Broad range of contributing authors, from the fields of ecology and climatology
Links general ecology to specific marine issues

Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic - A Comparative Perspective

Nils Chr. Stenseth, Geir Ottersen, James W. Hurrell, and Andrea Belgrano

Description

This research level text focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full range of trophic levels, from phytoplankton through zooplankton and fish to marine birds. Climate effects on biodiversity and community structure are also examined. 40 scientists from around the world synthesise what is currently known about how climate affects the ecological systems of the North Atlantic and then place these insights within a broader ecological perspective. Many of the general features of the North Atlantic region are also seen in other marine ecosystems as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems. The final section of the book makes these generalities more explicit, so as to stimulate communication and promote co-operation amongst researchers who may previously have worked in semi-isolation.
The book comprises 5 main sections: background (general introduction, atmospheric and ocean climate of the North Atlantic, and modelling methodology), plankton populations (phytoplankton and zooplankton), fish and seabird populations, community ecology (phytoplankton, benthos and fish), and the final section consisting of six commentaries from scientists working in areas outside the North Atlantic marine sector. In order to enhance integration, a series of introductions link chapters and sections. Throughout the book, numerous examples highlight different aspects of ecology-climate interactions. They document recent progress and illustrate the challenges of trying to understand ecological processes and patterns in the light of climate variations.

Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic - A Comparative Perspective

Nils Chr. Stenseth, Geir Ottersen, James W. Hurrell, and Andrea Belgrano

Preface
I. Background to climate variation and its effects on marine ecology
Introduction
1:Climatic fluctuations and marine systems: a general introduction to the ecological effects, Ottersen, Stenseth, and Hurrell
2:Climate variability over the North Atlantic, Hurrell and Dickson
3:Modelling marine ecosystems and their environmental forcing, Werner, Aretxabaleta, and Pehrson Edwards
II. Plankton populations
Introduction
4:Phytoplankton, Smayda, Borkman, Beaugrand, and Belgrano
5:The influences of climate variability on North Atlantic zooplankton populations, Pershing, Greene, Planque, and Fromentin
III. Fish and seabird populations
Introduction
6:The response of fish populations to ocean climate fluctuations, Ottersen, Alheit, Drinkwater, Friedland, Hagen, and Stenseth
7:Marine birds and climate fluctuation in the North Atlantic, Durant, Stenseth, Anker-Nilssen, Harris, Thompson, and Wanless
IV. Community Ecology
Introduction
8:Responses of phytoplankton communities to climate variability, Belgrano, Lima, Stenseth, and Lindahl
9:Effects of climate variability on benthic communities, Hagberg, Tunberg, Wieking, Kröncke, and Belgrano
10:Climatic influence on marine fish community ecology, Lekve and Stenseth
V. Climatic influences on marine fish community ecology-views from outside
Introduction
11:Climate and fisheries: an insight from the Central Pacific Ocean, Lehodey
12:Complexity of marine fisheries dynamics in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, Bailey, Hollowed, and Wooster
13:A freshwater perspective on climate variability and its effect on marine ecosystems, Straile
14:A freshwater perspective on climate variability and its effect on marine ecosystems, Hessen
15:Time lags in terrestrial and marine environments, Post
16:The impact of ENSO on terrestrial ecosystems: a comparison with NAO, Lima and Jaksic
VI. Conclusion: what are the ecological effects of climate variation in the North Atlantic ?
Afterword, Roger Harris
Index

Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic - A Comparative Perspective

Nils Chr. Stenseth, Geir Ottersen, James W. Hurrell, and Andrea Belgrano

Author Information

Nils Chr. Stenseth, University of Oslo, Geir Ottersen, Institute of Marine Research, James W. Hurrell, National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Andrea Belgrano, Kristineberg Marine Research Station, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Review
Author Home Page

Contributors:

Ottersen, Stenseth, and Hurrell
Hurrell and Dickson
Werner, Aretxabaleta, and Pehrson Edwards
Smayda, Borkman, Beaugrand, and Belgrano
Pershing, Greene, Planque, and Fromentin
Ottersen, Alheit, Drinkwater, Friedland, Hagen, and Stenseth
Durant, Stenseth, Anker-Nilssen, Harris, Thompson, and Wanless
Belgrano, Lima, Stenseth, and Lindahl
Hagberg, Tunberg, Wieking, Kröncke, and Belgrano
Lekve and Stenseth
Lehodey
Bailey, Hollowed, and Wooster
Straile
Hessen
Post
Lima and Jaksic
Roger Harris

Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic - A Comparative Perspective

Nils Chr. Stenseth, Geir Ottersen, James W. Hurrell, and Andrea Belgrano

Reviews and Awards

"This is an important book for us all and achieves its aims well. It draws together much knowledge on the ways that current climate change is influencing our oceans and ourselves, with unsettling conclusions. Mark Young, Marine Ecosystems and Climatic Variation, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society 2006, 37:1"