Ecological effects of the North Atlantic oscillation

Ottersen, G, Planque, B, Belgrano, A, Post, E, Reid, PC and Stenseth, NC 2001 Ecological effects of the North Atlantic oscillation. Oecologia, 128 (1). 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420100655

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Abstract/Summary

Climatic oscillations as reflected in atmospheric modes such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) may be seen as a proxy for regulating forces in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Our review highlights the variety of climate processes related to the NAO and the diversity in the type of ecological responses that different biological groups can display. Available evidence suggests that the NAO influences ecological dynamics in both marine and terrestrial systems, and its effects may be seen in variation at the individual, population and community levels. The ecological responses to the NAO encompass changes in timing of reproduction, population dynamics, abundance, spatial distribution and interspecific relationships such as competition and predator-prey relationships. This indicates that local responses to large-scale changes may be more subtle than previously suggested. We propose that the NAO effects may be classified as three types: direct, indirect and integrated. Such a classification will help the design and interpretation of analyses attempting to relate ecological changes to the NAO and, possibly, to climate in general.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Marine ecosystems Climatic changes Community composition Population dynamics Environmental factors Predator prey interactions North Atlantic
Subjects:	Ecology and Environment
Divisions:	Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science > Other (SAHFOS) (expired)
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date made live:	27 Sep 2006
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2020 09:56
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/1726

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