Climate impacts on the Gulf of Maine ecosystem: A review of observed and expected changes in 2050 from rising temperatures

The Gulf of Maine has recently experienced its warmest 5-year period (2015–2020) in the instrumental record. This warming was associated with a decline in the signature subarctic zooplankton species, Calanus finmarchicus. The temperature changes have also led to impacts on commercial species such as Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and American lobster (Homarus americanus) and protected species including Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) and northern right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). The recent period also saw a decline in Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) recruitment and an increase in novel harmful algal species, although these have not been attributed to the recent warming. Here, we use an ensemble of numerical...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation

Decadal-scale phenology and seasonal climate drivers of migratory baleen whales in a rapidly warming marine ecosystem

Abstract (from Global Change Biology): Species' response to rapid climate change can be measured through shifts in timing of recurring biological events, known as phenology. The Gulf of Maine is one of the most rapidly warming regions of the ocean, and thus an ideal system to study phenological and biological responses to climate change. A better understanding of climate-induced changes in phenology is needed to effectively and adaptively manage human-wildlife conflicts. Using data from a 20+ year marine mammal observation program, we tested the hypothesis that the phenology of large whale habitat use in Cape Cod Bay has changed and is related to regional-scale shifts in the thermal onset of spring. We used a multi-season...

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The Role of Sand Lances (Ammodytes sp.) in the Northwest Atlantic Ecosystem: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge with Implications for Conservation and Management

The American sand lance (Ammodytes americanus, Ammodytidae) and the Northern sand lance (A. dubius, Ammodytidae) are small forage fishes that play an important functional role in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (NWA). The NWA is a highly dynamic ecosystem currently facing increased risks from climate change, fishing and energy development. We need a better understanding of the biology, population dynamics and ecosystem role of Ammodytes to inform relevant management, climate adaptation and conservation efforts. To meet this need, we synthesized available data on the (a) life history, behaviour and distribution; (b) trophic ecology; (c) threats and vulnerabilities; and (d) ecosystem services role of Ammodytes in the...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Fish, Northeast CASC, Other Wildlife, Science Tools For Managers, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, All tags... State of the Science, Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants, Fewer tags

Regional Analysis of Long Term Gray and Harbor Seal Stranding Events

Strong indicators of species’ sensitivity, adaptive capacity, and overall vulnerability to climate change are provided by changes in phenology, the timing of recurring life events (Parmesan and Yohe, 2003). We possess poor information on climate induced shifts in phenology of marine organisms, especially top predators. The Gulf of Maine (GOM) Seasonal Migrants Project is an ongoing effort to determine the phenological changes occurring in the GOM across marine mammals, sea turtles, and other marine species of conservation concern. As part of that study, stranding data of injured or dead animals was explored for its utility to serve as supplemental data to amend more traditional survey data where observations are...

Types: Report; Tags: Fish, Gulf of Maine, Northeast CASC, Other Wildlife, Science Tools For Managers, All tags... Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, State of the Science, Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants, marine organisms, phenology, Fewer tags

Final Report: How and Why is the Timing and Occurrence of Seasonal Migrants in the Gulf of Maine Changing Due to Climate?

This study sought to advance our understanding of the responses of large migratory whales and other marine wildlife to climate change by examining species-specific shifts in timing of migration and habitat use. We used long-term historical datasets to measure changes in timing of seasonal habitat use in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) ecosystem by North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Occupancy modeling, spatial analyses, and synthetic approaches evaluated changes in the seasonal habitat use by large migratory whales, changes in risk of whale interactions with human activities such as shipping and fishing...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Fish, Fish, Northeast, Other Wildlife, Other Wildlife, All tags... Projects by Region, Science Tools for Managers, Science Tools for Managers, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, State of the Science, State of the Science, Water, Coasts and Ice, Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants, Wildlife and Plants, coastal resiliency, distribution, endangered species, forage fish, marine ecology, marine mammals, migration, phenology, sea turtles, Fewer tags