Functional roles and redundancy of demersal Barents Sea fish: Ecological implications of environmental change

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207451
• Publication Date: 2018-11-21T19:52:43Z
• Authors: Magnus Aune; Michaela M. Aschan; Michael Greenacre; Andrey V. Dolgov; Maria Fossheim; Raul Primicerio
• Keywords: Environmental change

When facing environmental change and intensified anthropogenic impact on marine ecosystems, extensive knowledge of how these systems are functioning is required in order to manage them properly. However, high-latitude where climate expected have substantial ecological impact, the ecosystem functions biological species received little attention, partly due limited Arctic species. Functional traits address member species, allowing functionality communities be characterised degree functional redundancy assessed. Ecosystems with higher less affected by loss, therefore sensitive disturbance. Here we highlight compare typical characteristics boreal fish Barents Sea consequences a community-wide reorganization driven warming characterization. Based trait community composition data, assessed for period 2004-2012, during which this northern region was characterized rapidly water masses declining sea ice coverage. We identified six groups, distinct spatial distributions, that collectively provide characterization fish. The groups displayed different prevalence masses. Some expansion towards northeast study period, whereas other showed general decline redundancy. Presently, observed patterns would seem sufficient scope buffering against local loss diversity only more speciose groups. Furthermore, reconfiguration may affect future area. In rapid change, monitoring programs integrating will help inform management vulnerability.