Community reorganization in the Gulf of Alaska following ocean climate regime shift
January 1, 1999
A shift in ocean climate during the late 1970s triggered a reorganization of community structure in the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem, as evidenced in changing catch composition on long-term (1953 to 1997) small-mesh trawl surveys. Forage species such as pandalid shrimp and capelin declined because of recruitment failure and predation, and populations have not yet recovered. Total trawl catch biomass declined >50% and remained low through the 1980s. In contrast, recruitment of high trophic-level groundfish improved during the 1980s, yielding a >250% increase in catch biomass during the 1990s. This trophic reorganization apparently had negative effects on piscivorous sea birds and marine mammals.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1999 |
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Title | Community reorganization in the Gulf of Alaska following ocean climate regime shift |
DOI | 10.3354/meps189117 |
Authors | P.J. Anderson, John F. Piatt |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Marine Ecology Progress Series |
Index ID | 70021245 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Alaska Biological Science Center |