The Effect of Glacier Recession on Benthic and Pelagic Communities: Case Study in Herve Cove, Antarctica

Marta Potocka,Justyna Wawrzynek-Borejko,Tomasz Janecki,Kornelia A Wójcik,Anna Kidawa,Luiza Bielecka,Robert J Bialik,Weronika Patuła,Anna Panasiuk,Joanna Plenzler

doi:10.3390/jmse7090285

Abstract

Changes in macrobenthic and pelagic communities in the postglacial, partially isolated, lagoon Herve Cove in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, were investigated 15 years after the first comprehensive studies had been conducted in this region. The bottom area of the cove has enlarged from approximately 12 ha to 19 ha after the retreat of the Dera Icefall. Based on a photographic survey of the benthos and taxonomic composition of zooplankton, ecological succession and the colonization of new species have been observed. Several new species occur such as gastropods, seastars, sea urchins and isopods, and their presence in different parts of the cove, as well as breeding aggregations suggests that they reproduce there. The influence of glacial streams is notable in bottom assemblages. We propose that Herve Cove is a good research area for studies on ecological succession in newly opened areas. The colonization of this lagoon has been recognized to be in its developing stage, and research should be continued.

Highlights

The Antarctic Peninsula region is one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth [1,2,3]
We found Gastropoda and Isopoda larvae, which were not observed in 1993 [25]
The Dera Icefall has retreated approximately 140 m, and a new bottom area of approximately 10,000 m2 has appeared since the last comprehensive studies on benthic communities in Herve Cove occurred

Summary

Introduction

The Antarctic Peninsula region is one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth [1,2,3]. An increase in air temperature and, the faster melting of glaciers increases the processes affecting the supply of sediments to coastal waters, as a result of progressive erosion [15] These sediments are released to coastal waters by melting icebergs or directly from a glacier terminus by subglacial or englacial meltwater outflows, which may further cause fluvial erosion of freshly exposed moraine on the forefields of these glaciers [16,17]. These factors have a significant impact on marine communities [12], especially on Antarctic bottom organisms, which are not well adapted to large amounts of suspended inorganic material [18]

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Conclusion