Impact of climate change on Southern Ocean sink for CO2 and marine ecosystems
Marine ecosystems (here referring to plankton assemblages) play an important role in climate because they maintain the
atmospheric concentration of CO2 at 200 ppm lower than it would be in the absence of sinking organic matter in the ocean. Marine ecosystems also form the base of the
marine food chain and thereby influence the availability of food resources. Thus, changes in their structure or turnover rates could have implications for other ecosystems.
Details
Publication status:
Published
Author(s):
Authors: Le Quéré, Corinne
Editors: Cardinal, D., Lipiatou, E.
Date:
1 January, 2007
Journal/Source:
In: Cardinal, D., Lipiatou, E. (eds.). Polar environment and climate: the challenges. Conference proceedings, International symposium, Brussels, March 2007. European research in the context of the International Polar Year, Brussels, European Commission, 118-119.