© Ryan Reisinger

A new Information Summary on ten main scientific messages on risks and opportunities for life in the Antarctic.

Click here to access the Information Summary.

The summary was initiated by the SCAR scientific research programme “Antarctic Thresholds – Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation” (AnT-ERA, 2013-2021). 26 experts synthesized knowledge on impacts and risks of climate-change on biological processes and ecosystem functions in the Antarctic.

The ten main scientific messages that emerged addressed (1) accelerating marine and terrestrial biogeochemical cycles, (2) response to ocean acidification, (3) ecological changes in climate change hot spots, (4) unexpected dynamism of marine seafloor communities, (5) biodiversity shifts, (6) low temperature limitation of protein synthesis, (7) life intrinsically linked to changing sea ice conditions, (8) pollution, (9) genetically distinct terrestrial populations under threat, and (10) newly discovered habitats.

“Ten scientific messages on risks and opportunities for life in the Antarctic” was written by Julian Gutt, Enrique Isla, José C. Xavier, Byron J. Adams, In-Young Ahn, C.-H. Christina Cheng, Claudia Colesie, Vonda J. Cummings, Huw Griffiths, Ian Hogg, Trevor McIntyre, Klaus M. Meiners, David A. Pearce, Lloyd Peck, Dieter Piepenburg, Ryan R. Reisinger, Grace K. Saba, Irene R. Schloss, Camila N. Signori, Craig R. Smith, Marino Vacchi, Cinzia Verde and Diana H. Wall
Doi: https://doi.org/10.48361/2cpq-8t02

A new Information Summary on Leopard seals has been published. “Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)” was written by Tracey L. Rogers, Jaume Forcada and Douglas J. Krause.

The publication gives an overview of the range, habitat and ecology, management and challenges of the species.

Click here to access the Information Summary.

Brief Overview:

• The IUCN Red List conservation status of the leopard seal is ‘Least Concern’. Nonetheless, sea-ice habitat loss, reduced krill stocks and increased fishing may combine to impact the species.
• The last surveys of this species were in 1999/2000.
• The leopard seal is the only animal among the Pinnipeds to hunt large vertebrate prey and yet also filter feed to eat small invertebrate prey.