Because of increasing temperatures, areas of sea ice in the Antarctic Peninsula region have diminished significantly. And the algae that grows on the underside of the shrinking sea ice is therefore also diminishing. The algae is a food source of krill, which is also disappearing in antarctic waters. Scientists report a tenfold decline in krill populations during the past 10 years.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) completed a study in November 2004 saying that there has been an 80 percent decline in krill since the 1970's.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) completed a study in November 2004 saying that there has been an 80 percent decline in krill since the 1970's.
We don’t think of ice as being an ecosystem, but it is. As sea ice melts, there is concern that krill may disappear. If that happens, the entire biologic ecosystem is likely to collapse.
This is happening as we discuss it. It is not conjecture that it might occur five or six decades from now. It is happening....now!
Parts of a larger process - Roxborough Review - Montgomery News
