The sublittoral macrofaunal benthos of the Antarctic shelf

Abstract

A general review of the salient features of the sublittoral macrofaunal benthos of the Antarctic shelf is presented. The need of recognizing a mixed epi-infauna biota, which includes an unusual epi-faunal soft-bottom component, is suggested. This would help the study of the structure of the Antarctic macrobenthos and lend some validity to future quantitative (density and biomass) distribution data. While in large time and space scales the Antarctic environment appears to be rather stable, contributing to a high species diversity, there are sources of disturbances which change the general benthic pattern to a complex mosaic of different successional stages, intergrading with undisturbed communities. Among these sources of disturbance which may be important in structuring benthic communities in Antarctica are anchor ice, ice plucking, ice calving, mud slides, rafted clastic rain, and most important perhaps, iceberg ploughing. The Antarctic benthic realm is unique because of its high taxonomic diversity, widespread endemism, and mostly K-adapted species; biomass is generally high and diverse suspension-feeding communities dominate. There are at present no effective means of establishing extensive protected marine areas or setting aside benthic reserves. SCAR has recognised three marine Sites of Special Scientific Interest, but these have slim chances of being recognized by the Antarctic Treaty itself. While the agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora and CCAMLR are not seen as means to develop such extensive marine conservation areas in Antarctica, hope is placed in the Antarctic Minerals Regime which is being negotiated at present. In order to establish a scientifically based scheme for benthic realm conservation, however, both descriptive and experimental research on benthos will have to be greatly expanded around Antarctica.