Winter and spring controls on the summer food web of the coastal West Antarctic Peninsula (original) (raw)

The western continental shelf of the West Antarctic Peninsula is undergoing rapid climate change, significantly affecting the marine food web. This study examines how changes in winter and spring climate influence the summer food web dynamics, particularly focusing on phytoplankton and Antarctic krill impacts on Adélie penguin foraging ecology. Findings suggest that decreases in krill populations may adversely affect predator species, with implications for the reproductive success of various species dependent on krill.