Climate Change and Baleen Whale Trophic Cascades in Greenland
Abstract
We focused on two cetacean species in Disko Bay, West Greenland and asked the following questions: (1) What is the spatial and temporal overlap between bowhead whales, phytoplankton, and zooplankton after the spring sea ice breakup in April and May? , and (2) What is the spatial and temporal overlap between humpback whales and capelin in June and July, and (3) on what space and time scales do these two large whales overlap? Answering these questions enabled us to determine the spatial, temporal, and ecological overlap between these two top predators in West Greenland. This is one of the few high Arctic studies conducted on the multi-species trophic coupling between whales and their prey. The simplicity of the food chains in West Greenland offer unique opportunities to gain insight into predator-prey dynamics also relevant to more complex ecosystems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 19, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA557943
Entities
People
- Kristin L. Laidre
- Mads P. Heide-joergensen
Organizations
- University of Washington