Foundations for Ecological Research West of the Antarctic Peninsula

450 Pages·2010·15.41 MB·English

ANTARCTIC
American GeophysicaUl nion RESEARCH
SERIES
Foundations for Ecological Research
West of the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Research Series Volumes
1 Biology of the Antarctic Seas I Milton O. Lee 29 Upper Atmosphere Research in Antarctica
(Ed.) L. J. Lanzerotti, C. G. Park (Eds.)
2 Antarctic Snow and Ice Studies M. Mellor 30 Terrestrial Biology II B. Parker (Ed.)
3 Polychaeta Errantia of Antarctica O. Hartman 31 Biology of the Antarctic Seas IX L.S.
(Ea.) Kornicker (Ed.)
4 Geomagnetisma nd Aeronomy A.H. Waynick 32 Biology of the Antarctic Seas X L.S.
(Ea.) Kornicker (Ed.)
5 Biology of the Antarctic Seas II G.A. Llano 33 Dry Valley Drilling Project L.D. McGinnis
(Ea.) (Ed.)
6 Geology and Paleontology of the Antarctic 34 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XI L.S.
J. B. Hadley (Ed.) Kornicker (Ed.)
7 Polychaeta Myzostomidae and Sedentaria of 35 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XII D. Pawson
Antarctica O. Hartman (Ed.) (Ed.)
8 Antarctic Soils and Soil Forming Processes 36 Geology of the Central Transantarctic
J. C. F. Tedrow (Ed.) MountainsM . D. TurnerJ,i F. Splettstoesser
9 Studies in Antarctic Meteorology M.J. Rubin (E&.)
(Ea.) 37 Terrestrial Biology III B. Parker (Ed.)
10 Entomology of Antarctica J.L. Gressit (Ed.) 38 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XIII [crinoids,
11 Biology of the Antarctic Seas III G.A. Llano, hydrozoa, copepods,a mphipoda] L.S.
W. L. Schmitt (Eds.) Kornicker (Ed.)
12 Antarctic Bird Studies O. L. Austin, Jr (Ed.) 39 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XIV L.S.
13 Antarctic Ascidiacea P. Kott (Ed.) Kornicker (Ed.)
14 Antarctic Cirripedia W. A. Newman, A. Ross 40 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XV L.S.
(mas.) Kornicker (Ed.)
15 Antarctic OceanologyI L. Reid (Ed.) 41 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XVI L.S.
16 Antarctic Snow and Ice Studies II A.P. Crary Kornicker (Ed.)
(Ea.) 42 The Ross Ice Shelf.' Glaciology and Geophysics
17 Biology of the Antarctic Seas IV G.A. Llano, C. R. Bentley,D . E. Hayes (Eds.)
I. E. Wallen (Eds.) 43 Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf
18 Antarctic Pinnipedia W. H. Burt (Ed.) S. Jacobs( Ed.)
19 Antarctic Oceanology II: The Australian-New 44 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XVII [benthic
Zealand Sector D. E. Hayes (Ed.) satiation, brittle star feeding, pelagic shrimps,
20 Antarctic Terrestrial Biology G.A. Llano marine birds] L. S. Kornicker, (Ed.)
(Ea.) 45 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XVIII, Crustacea
21 Recent Antarctic and Subantarctic Brachiopods Tanaidacea of the Antarctic and the
M. W. Foster (Ed.) Subantarctic 1. On Material Collected at
22 Human Adaptability to Antarctic Conditions Tierra del Fuego, Isla de los Estados, and the
E. K. Eric Gunderson (Ed.) West Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula L.S.
23 Biology of the Antarctic Seas V D.L. Pawson Kornicker (Ed.)
(Ea.) 46 Geological Investigations in Northern Victoria
24 Birds of the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Land E. Stump (Ed.)
G. E. Watson 47 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XIX [copepods,
25 Meterological Studies at Plateau Station, teleosts] L. S. Kornicker (Ed.)
Antarctica J. Businger( Ed.) 48 Volcanoes of the Antarctic Plate and Southern
26 Biology of the Antarctic Seas VI D.L. Pawson Oceans' W. E. LeMasurierJ, . W. Thomson
(ma.) (Eds.)
27 Biology of the Antarctic Seas VII D.L. 49 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XX, Antarctic
Pawson (Ed.) Siphonophores From Plankton Samples of the
28 Biology of the Antarctic Seas VIII D.L. United States Antarctic Research Program
Pawson, L. S. Kornicker (Eds.) L. S. Kornicker (Ed.)
50 Contributions to Antarctic Research I D. /-/. 61 Antarctic Meteorology and Climatology: Studies
Elliot (Ed.) Based on Automatic Weather Stations D. /-/.
51 Mineral Resources Potential of Antarctica Bromwich, C. R. Stearns (Eds.)
J. F. SplettstoesseGr., A.M. Dreschhoff( Eds.) 62 Ultraviolet Radiation in Antarctica:
52 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XXI [annelids, Measurements and Biological Effects C.S.
mites, leeches] L. S. Kornicker (Ed.) Weiler,P . A. Penhale (Eds.)
53 Contributions to Antarctic Research II D.H. 63 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XXIII, Antarctic
Elliot (Ed.) and Subantarctic Pycnogonida: Ammotheidae
54 Marine Geological and GeophysicalA tlas of the and Austrodecidae S. D. Cairns (Ed.)
Circum-Antarctic to 30ø S D. E. Hayes (Ed..) 64 Atmospheric Halos W. Tape
55 Molluscan Systematics and Biostratigraphy 65 Fossil Scleractinian Corals From James Ross
Lower Tertiary La Meseta Formation, Seymour Basin, Antarctica H. F. Filkorn
Island, Antarctic Peninsula J. D. Stilwell, W. J. 66 Volcanological and Environmental Studies of
Zinsmeister Mt. Erebus P. R. Kyle (Ed.)
56 The Antarctic Paleoenvironment: A Perspective 67 Contributions to Antarctic Research IV D.H.
on Global Change, Part One J.P. Kennett, Elliot, G. L. Blaisdell (Eds.)
D. A. Warnke (Eds.) 68 Geology and Seismic Stratigraphy of the
57 Contributions to Antarctic Research Ill D.H. Antarctic Margin A. K. Cooper,P . F. Barker,
Elliot (Ed.) G. Brancolini (Eds.)
58 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XXII S.D. 69 Biology of the Antarctic Seas XXIV, Antarctic
Cairns (Ed.) and Subantarctic Pycnogonida: Nymphonidae,
59 Physical and BiogeochemicalP rocessesi n Colossendeidae, Rhynchothoraxida,
Antarctic Lakes W.J. Green, E. I. Friedmann Pycnogonidae,P hoxichilidiidae, Endeididae,
(Eds.) and Callipallenidae S. D. Cairns (Ed.)
6O The Antarctic Paleoenvironment: A Perspective 7O Foundations for Ecological Research West of
on Global Change, Part Two J.P. Kennett, the Antarctic Peninsula R. M. Ross, E. E.
D. A. Warnke (Eds.) Hofmann, L. B. Quetin (Eds.)
ANTARCTIC
Volume 70 RESEARCH
SERIES
Foundationsf or EcologicalR esearch
West of the Antarctic Peninsula
Robin M. Ross
Eileen E. Hofmann
Langdon B. Quetin
Editors
(cid:127) AmericGaeno physUicnaiol n
Washington, D.C.
1996
ANTARCTIC
Volume 70 RESEARCH
SERIES
FOUNDATIONS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH WEST
OF THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Robin M. Ross, Eileen E. Hofmann, and
LangdonB . Quetin,E ditors
Publishedu ndert he aegiso f the
Board of Associate Editors, Antarctic ResearchS eries
RodneyM . Feldmann,C hairman
JohnB . Anderson,R obert A. Bindschadler,
David H. Bromwich, Nelia W. Dunbar,
StanleyS . JacobsJ, erryD . Kudenov,J ohnC . Priscu
Library of CongressC ataloging-in-PublicationD ata
Foundationsf or EcologicalR esearchW est of the Antarctic Peninsula/
Robin M. Ross,E ileen E. Hofmann,L angdonB . Quetin,e ditors.
p. cm.- - (Antarctirce searcshe riesv; . 70)
Includesb ibliographicarl eferences.
ISBN 0-87590-891-8 (alk. Paper)
1. Ecology--Research(cid:127)Antarctica(cid:127)Antarctic PeninsulaR egion.
I. Ross, Robin M. II. Hofmann, Eileen Elizabeth, 1952-
IlI. Quetin, LangdonB . IV. Series.
QH541.264.A6F67 1996
574.5'0998' 9---dc20 96-32835
CIP
ISBN 0-87590-891-8
ISSN 0066-4634
Copyright1 996 by the AmericanG eophysicaUl nion
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CONTENTS
The Antarctic Research Series
Board of Associate Editors xi
Preface
Eileen E. Hofmann, Robin M. Ross,a nd Langdon B. Quetin xiii
Historical Perspective
Historical Perspectiveo f Researchi n the Antarctic PeninsulaR egion
SayedZ . El-Sayed
Habitat Description
Terrestrial and FreshwaterB iotic Componentso f the Western Antarctic Peninsula
RonaM I. Lewis Smith 15
Water Mass Distribution and Circulation West of the Antarctic Peninsulaa nd Including
Bransfield Strait
Eileen E. Hofmann, John M. Klinck, Cathy M. Lascara, and David A. Smith 61
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Western Antarctic PeninsulaS ea Ice Coverage
S. E. Stammerjohna nd R. C. Smith 81
SurfaceA ir Temperature Variations in the Western Antarctic PeninsulaR egion
Raymond C. Smith, Sharon E. Stammerjohn,a nd Karen S. Baker 105
Benthic Marine Habitats in Antarctica
Andrew Clarke 123
Accumulationo f Glacial Marine Sedimentsi n Fjords of the Antarctic Peninsulaa nd Their
Use as Late Holocene Paleoenvironmental Indicators
Eugene W. Domack and CharlesE . McClennen 135
Distributions of Biological Populations
Pelagica nd Sea Ice Microbial Communities
David L. Garrison and SylvieM athot 155
Phytoplankton:Q uantitative and Qualitative Assessments
R. R. Bidigare,J . L. Iriarte, S.-H. Kang, D. Karentz,M . E. Ondrusek,a nd G. A. Fryxell 173
Distribution of Antarctic Krill and Dominant Zooplankton West of the Antarctic
Peninsula
Robin M. Ross,L angdon B. Quetin, and Cathy M. Lascara 199
The Distribution of Antarctic Marine Benthic Communities
Andrew Clarke 219
Midwater Fish Ecology
Adolf K. Kellermann 231
Factors Controlling the Distribution of Seabirds:W inter-Summer Heterogeneityi n the
Distribution of Addlie Penguin Populations
William R. Fraser and WayneZ . Trivelpiece 257
The Breeding Biology and Distribution of Addlie Penguins:A daptations to Environmental
Variability
WayneZ . Trivelpiecea nd William R. Fraser 273
Marine Mammals of the Southern Ocean
Daniel P. Costa and Daniel E. Crocker 287
Control of Biological Distributions
MicrobiologicalO ceanography(cid:127)int he Region West of the Antarctic Peninsula:M icrobial
Dynamics,N itrogen Cycle and Carbon Flux
David M. Karl, James R. Christian, John E. Dore, and Ricardo M. Letelier 303
PhytoplanktonB iomassa nd Productivityi n the Western Antarctic PeninsulaR egion
Raymond C. Smith, Heidi Dierssen,a nd Maria l/ernet 333
Factors Affecting Distribution and Abundance of Zooplankton, With an Emphasiso n
Antarctic Krill, Euphausias uperba
Langdon B. Quetin, Robin M. Ross, ThomasK . Frazer, and Karen L. Haberman 357
Marine Benthic Populationsi n Antarctica: Patterns and Processes
Andrew Clarke 373
Human Disturbance
Human Activity and Disturbance:B uilding an Antarctic Site Inventory
Ron Naveen 389
Marine Disturbance-Contaminants
Mahlon C. Kennicutt H and Susanne J. McDonaM 401
Marine Disturbances-CommerciaFl ishing
David J. Agnew and SteveN icol 417
Summary
The Western Antarctic PeninsulaR egion: Summaryo f Environmental and Ecological
Processes
The Palmer L TER Group 437
THE ANTARCTIC RESEARCH SERIES
The AntarcticR esearchS eriesp, ublisheds ince1 963b y the AmericanG eophysicaUl nion, now
comprise7s0 volumeso f authoritativoer iginarl esultso f scientifiwc ork in theh ighl atitudeos f the
southernh emisphereS. eriesv olumesa re typicallyt hematicc, oncentratinogn a particulart opic or
region,a ndm ay containm apsa ndl engthyp apersw ith largev olumeso f datai n tabularo r digital
format. Antarctic studiesa re often interdisciplinaryo r international,a nd build upon earlier
observationtso addressis sueso f naturalv ariabilitya nd globalc hange.T he standardso f scientific
excellenceex pectedfo r the Seriesa re maintainedb y editorsf ollowingr eviewc riteriae stablished
for the AGU publicationpsr ogramP. ublicationo f the Seriesis aidedb y a grantf rom the National
ScienceF oundationw, hichs upportms ucho f the underlyingf ield work. Prioritiesf or publication
are setb y theB oardo f AssociatEe ditorsI.n quiriesa boutp ublishevdo lumesw, ork in progresso r
new proposalms ay be sentt o AntarcticR esearchS eries,A GU, 2000 FloridaA venueN W,
WashingtonD, C 20009 (http:/www.agu.orgo),r to a membero f the Board.
BOARD OF ASSOCIATE EDITORS
RodneyM . Feldmann,C hairman,P aleontology
JohnB . Anderson,M arine Geologya nd Geophysics
Robert A. Bindschadler,G laciology
David H. Bromwich.,M eteorologya nd UpperA tmosphereP hysics
Nelia W. Dunbar, Geology
StanleyS . JacobsO, ceanography
JerryD . Kudenov, Marine/PolychaetBei ology
JohnC . Priscu, TerrestrialB iology
xi
PREFACE
The Long-TermE cologicaRl esearch(L TER) Pro- anda ppropriatfeo r long-terms tudies.
gram was establisheidn 1981b y the UnitedS tates The primarilym arinef ocuso f thisv olumer eflects
National ScienceF oundationin recognitiono f the need differencesin habitata rea and speciesri chnessb etween
to studye cologicparl ocessoevse rt imes panlso ngetrh an the marinea ndt errestriael cosystemisn Antarctica.T he
thoseo f mostr esearchg rantsT. he LTER Networkn ow geographicbarl eadtho f the volumeis restrictetdo the
consistos f 18 sitest hats pana varietyo f ecosystemty pes westernA ntarcticP eninsulare gion,b ut the emphasiso n
in the continentalU nited States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, synthesiesx tendsth e deptha ndm ultidisciplinanrya ture
and Antarctica. The addition of the Palmer LTER at of thec overageT. hus,g eographicarlleys tricteodb serva-
PalmerS tationA, ntarcticain October1 990e xtendedth e tions of patternsa nd distributionasr e placedi n the
geographiacnald e cologicraaln geo f theL TERN etwork contexot f presenkt nowledgoef theu nderlyinpgr ocesses
andp rovidetdh eo pportunittoy l inkp hysicaaln de colog- that affect them, and this knowledgec omesf rom many
icalp rocessiens t hen ortherann ds outherhne mispheresr.e gionsi n the SouthernO cean.
One criterion for establishmento f a LTER site is the The first paperi n thisv olumep rovidesa historical
existence of historical data and observationst hat can perspectivoef expeditionisn,t ernationaanl di ndividual
providae b asifso rg uidinrge searcphr ogramTsh. ust,h e researcphr ogramsa,n dn on-sponsorperdo gramsT.h ese
intento f thisv olumei s to bringt ogethemr eteorological, programhs avec ontributetdo the developmeonft the
hydrographicbailo, logicaaln de cologicaolb servationscu rrenut nderstandinogf t hes tructuraen df unctioningo f
madein theg eneraalr eaw esto f theA ntarctiPc eninsulat hee cosysteomf theS outherOn ceanw esto f theA ntarc-
andt o discustsh ep rocesseusn derlyintgh eo bservations.t ic Peninsula.T he next sectioni ncludesd escriptionso f
Thisc ompilatioonf availablde ataa ndo bservatioinns environmental features of the terrestrial and marine
conjunctiownit ht hep resenutn derstandionfg p rocessesh abitatsw est of the Antarctic Peninsula,i ncludingt he
providetsh e foundatiofno r long-termst udieosf the glacialm arines edimentisn fjords and their use as
ecosysteimn t hew esterAn ntarctiPc eninsurlae gion. paleoenvironmenintadli catorsT.h ep apero nt het erres-
The centrahl ypothesoisf the PalmerL TER is that trial andf reshwateer cosysteminsc ludesa reviewo f their
interannuavla riabilityin the annuael xtento f packi ce biota and functionalp rocessesin additiont o habitat
hasm ajori mpactosn a ll levelso f them arinee cosystem.d escriptionIn. thiss ectiont,h ee mphasiiss on thee ffect
One of the objectiveosf the PalmerL TER is to assess of environmentalf eatures on the plant and animal
thei mpacot f thisv ariabilitoyn r epresentatsivpee cieosf communities.T he abundancesa nd patternsa ssociated
them arinep elagice cosysteimn t her egionw esto f the with the verticala nd horizontald istributionso f biological
AntarcticP eninsulaT. he LTER studyr egioni s bounded populationwse sto f theA ntarctiPc eninsualar et hef ocus
by the southerenn do f BransfielSdt raita nde xtends of the next groupo f papers.T hesec overd istributions
alongshotroe s outho f MargueritBea ya ndo ffshorfero m and the processecso ntrollingp opulationosf fish, pen-
the AntarcticP eninsulafo r 200 km (seem ap in Figure 1 guinsa, ndm arinem ammalsO. therp apersin thiss ection
of Hofmanne t al., thisv olume)T. he northerne ndo f the providet he basisf or the process-orientfeodc usi n the
studyr egionis at thes outherend geo f a gapi n Ad61ie followings ectioni,n whicht he currents tateo f knowl-
penguin( Pygosceliasd eliae)p opulationws,h ich is edgeo f the factorsc ontrollingb iologicadl istributions
believedto resultf rom thed ependencoef this specieso n and abundancesis evaluated. The papers on human
sea ice. The offshorel imit of the region is near the disturbancceo nsidehr umani mpactsin the regionw esto f
seawardl imit of Antarctick rill (Euphausias uperba) the Antarctic Peninsula,b oth terrestrial and marine. An
distributionsa, nd the nearshorep ortiono f the region understandinogf human-induceddis turbancess,u cha s
includesp robables pawningg roundsfo r Antarctic activitiesa roundp enguinro okeriesc, ommerciafli shing,
silverfish(P leuragrammaan tarcticurnT).h e interactionsa nd oil spills,i s an importanat specot f any long-term
of regionacll imatologayn dh ydrograpahnyd s eaic e,a nd ecological research program. A concludingp aper
ther esultinigm pacot na ll trophicle velso f thee cosystemp rovideas summariyn tendetdo placet heP almerL TER
west of the AntarcticP eninsulam, aket his region unique within the context of the various ecosystemsa nd pro-
xiii