Impacts of cetaceans on the structure of Southern Ocean food webs
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 23:15authored byAinley, D, Ballard, G, Blight, LK, Ackley, S, Emslie, ST, Lescroel, A, Olmastroni, S, Townsend, SE, Tynan, CT, Wilson, P, Woehler, E
Recently, Ballance et al. (2006) revived the hypothesis that cetaceans were a major force in the structuring of Southern Ocean food webs, and suggested that they are still playing a keystone role even as their loss continues (see also review in Mori and Butterworth 2006), a subject that we herein would like to emphasize. According to this hypothesis, following 60 yr of directed industrial whaling (Tønnessen and Johnsen 1982, Baker and Clapham 2002), the demise of the great whales (blue, Balaenoptera musculus intermedia; fin, B. physalus; and humpback, Megaptera novaeangliae) led to changes in populations and demographic parameters among penguins, seals, and minke whales (B. bonaerensis; see also Laws 1977, Bengtson and Laws 1985). These changes to populations of the great whales’ competitors came about upon release from trophic competition as a result of the “krill surplus” that ensued (i.e., of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba; Bengtson and Laws 1985).
History
Publication title
Marine Mammal Science
Volume
26
Pagination
482-498
ISSN
0824-0469
Department/School
School of Natural Sciences
Publisher
Soc Marine Mammalogy
Place of publication
1041 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, USA, Ks, 66044
Rights statement
The definitive published version is available online at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems