Benthic communities of Potter Cove: Observed patterns and explanatory models.

MOMO, FERNANDO; RICARDO SAHADE; MARCOS TATIÁN

Berichte zur Polar-und Meeresforschung /Reports on Polar and Marine Research

Alfred Wegener Institute

Lugar: Bremerhaven; Año: 2008 vol. 571 p. 162 - 167

1618-3193

The objective of this work is to present a simple mathematical model that includes biological interactions and physical perturbations in an explanatory framework of the benthic community structure at Potter Cove. In areas highly affected by ice action and inorganic sedi­ments two different strategies can be successful: one infaunal elliptica) and the other opportunistic with fast colonization of disturbed areas (pennatulids). A gradient of perturbations probably will produce a mosaic of situations given a spatial pattern across the cove. The main challenge is to identify the proxies to assess and predict the effects of the Global Change on the ecosystems, and mathematical models provide a powerful tool for that. Moreover, the Antarctic Peninsula region is probably the best place to do this since changes take place very rap­idly.