Predicting impacts of climate change on the biogeographic patterns of representative species richness in Prydz Bay-Amery Ice Shelf

Abstract

Paper summary generated by OpenAI: This study investigates the impacts of climate change on the biogeographic patterns of species richness in the Prydz Bay-Amery Ice Shelf region of East Antarctica, focusing on key species such as krill and silverfish. Utilizing the Dynamic Bioclimatic Envelope Model (DBEM), the research analyzes species distribution and abundance under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 8.5 and RCP 2.6) from 1970 to 2060. The findings indicate a significant decrease in overall species richness and a poleward shift in latitude gradients due to ocean warming, sea ice melting, and human activities. The study emphasizes the urgent need for prioritizing the Prydz Bay-Amery Ice Shelf in the planning of Marine Protected Areas to mitigate these adverse effects.