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Bernard, KS, Tarling, GA, Atkinson, A, Cavan, EL, Cleary, AC, Dalpadado, P, Díaz-Astudillo, M, Dorman, J, Edwards, M, Färber-Lorda, J, García-Fernández, F, Gómez-Gutiérrez, J, Hill, SL, Kane, MK, Kawaguchi, S, Manno, Cl, Meyer, B, Riquelme-Bugueño, R, Schmidt, K, Seco, J, Silva, T, Sperfeld, E and Tremblay, N 2026 Ecological roles, climate-driven responses, and critical knowledge gaps of krill in the global ocean. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 83 (5). 10.1093/icesjms/fsag090
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Abstract/Summary
Human-induced global climate change and other anthropogenic stressors are fundamentally altering our oceans. Understanding the ecological and societal implications of these changes is critical for developing mitigation strategies and conservation measures. However, major components of the marine pelagic ecosystem remain poorly understood. This is true for euphausiids (“krill”), which are a crucial part of marine food webs and play an important role in elemental cycling, including in the biological carbon pump, but for which we know surprisingly little. In this review, we first provide an overview of the ecological and socio-economic value of krill, highlighting their function in marine food webs and biogeochemical cycling. Next, we describe what is currently known regarding the response of krill to climate change and other anthropogenic stressors, focusing on changes in their biogeography, physiology, life history, as well as the impacts of krill fishing and their association with pathogens and parasites. We identify five key gaps in our current knowledge of krill: (1) the effects of krill on food web dynamics and stability, (2) the effects of changing predator and/or prey communities on krill populations, (3) the identification of important krill habitats, (4) the understanding of vertical and horizontal range shifts, and (5) the combined effects of multiple climate change and other anthropogenic stressors on krill. We also highlight the krill species, regions, and habitats that are understudied. Finally, we propose strategies to improve our understanding of this ecologically important taxonomic group, including the sustained funding for time series; implementation of novel research technologies; expanding research on understudied species and regions; and creating a global community of krill researchers.
| Item Type: | Publication - Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Keywords: | euphausiids, krill, climate change, anthropogenic stressors, fisheries, carbon pump, ecosystem health |
| Divisions: | Plymouth Marine Laboratory > National Capability categories > Western Channel Observatory Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Marine Ecology and Society |
| Depositing User: | S Hawkins |
| Date made live: | 03 Jul 2026 09:07 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Jul 2026 09:07 |
| URI: | https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10635 |
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