The reefs of the Arctic - photoautotrophic ecosystem engineers endangered by microplastic and climate change?

Teichert S, Löder M, Laforsch C, Pyko I, Schulbert C, Wisshak M (2018)

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Abstract of lecture

Publication year: 2018

Event location: Rovaniemi FI

Abstract

Large areas of the Svalbard shelf are covered by rhodoliths, coralline red algal structures which form a rigid framework of magnesium calcite. They act as ecosystem engineers, comparable to corals in tropical regions. Additionally, many rhodoliths are gouged by boring mussels and become hollow ecospheres which are intensely colonised by benthic organisms. The existence of both, solid and hollow rhodoliths has a significant impact on local biodiversity.
However, this special ecosystem is threatened by the contamination with microplastic. We detected eight different types of microplastic within the bodies of the boring mussels, whereof polystyrene is the most common. If the particles are harmful to the mussels, their future role as niche providers is endangered and the consistency of the whole community is doubtful.
Furthermore, we could show that the rhodoliths themselves are endangered by climate change in terms of increased glacial runoff, as coverage with sediments and reduced transparency of the water column are significantly impairing the growth conditions of the rhodoliths. This twofold environmental deterioration will have unpredictable consequences for the associated organisms.
This special but extensive ecosystem plays a crucial role on Svalbard’s shelf biodiversity and should be included in future policy recommendations and strategic plans for biodiversity.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Teichert Professur für Paläontologie (Schwerpunkt Faziesanalyse) Ines Pyko Professur für Paläontologie (Schwerpunkt Faziesanalyse) Christian Schulbert Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt

Involved external institutions

Universität Bayreuth DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Teichert, S., Löder, M., Laforsch, C., Pyko, I., Schulbert, C., & Wisshak, M. (2018). The reefs of the Arctic - photoautotrophic ecosystem engineers endangered by microplastic and climate change? Paper presentation at The Arctic Biodiversity Congress, Rovaniemi, FI.

MLA:

Teichert, Sebastian, et al. "The reefs of the Arctic - photoautotrophic ecosystem engineers endangered by microplastic and climate change?" Presented at The Arctic Biodiversity Congress, Rovaniemi 2018.

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