A view to a krill: warming seas may leave predators hungry

A view to a krill: warming seas may leave predators hungry

The Conversation

23 August 2013


Although it is far from the power stations, roads and flight paths of the populated world, the Southern Ocean is already responding to climate change. Average sea temperatures in some parts have risen by about 1°C in 50 years.

This is a significant change for creatures such as Antarctic krill that live within a narrow range of temperatures spanning no more than 6°C. These tiny but abundant crustaceans are perhaps best known as the reason why half a dozen whale species migrate to the cold waters of the Southern Ocean each summer to feed. They are also familiar from their appearance in animated form on the big screen and as krill oil, a health supplement, on supermarket shelves. Read more

 

 

 

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