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The surprising secret of Antarctic krill: Why are they key to the Antarctic ecosystem?
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are not just small and insignificant creatures. On the contrary, they are indispensable and key players in the Antarctic ecosystem, affecting various organisms and ecological balance in the region. The astonishing size and ecological functions of this small marine crustacean make it an important part of the global marine ecosystem.
With a cumulative biomass of approximately 5 million metric tons, Antarctic krill are one of the most abundant animal species in the world.
The life cycle of Antarctic krill is very unique. They reproduce between January and March every year. According to observations by scholars, female krill can lay 6,000 to 10,000 eggs each time. These eggs do not swim and settle with the water flow until they hatch into larvae. When the larvae first surface, they embark on a journey designed to provide them with abundant energy for growth.
The physiological structure of krill allows them to effectively filter the tiny phytoplankton in the water, which is their main food source.
A simple digestive system allows them to extract necessary nutrients from the water, through special feeding organs that help them filter and feed on phytoplankton. This unique filter-feeding method is the key to Antarctic krill's ability to survive in such cold and food-poor waters.
Biological pump and carbon sequestration
Krill make an important contribution to the carbon cycle. The residual substances produced by their food intake and metabolism will quickly sink into the depths of the ocean, forming a biological pump effect that continues to sequester large amounts of carbon in the deep sea. According to research, the depth of Antarctic waters can reach 2,000 to 4,000 meters. This process takes up to 1,000 years and plays an important role in the global carbon cycle.
This process is considered one of the largest biofeedback mechanisms on Earth.
As krill ingest huge amounts of phytoplankton, this creates an astonishingly wide global economic and ecological network that supports every level of the marine food chain.
The cornerstone of the Antarctic ecosystem
Krill are the cornerstone of the Antarctic marine food chain, supporting a variety of animals including whales, seals, penguins and countless waterbirds. Especially whales and seals, their food habits are almost entirely dependent on this small creature. Whether through dirty feeding or overpredation, krill populations are critical to the survival of these predators.
For example, 98% of the round-lipped seal's diet consists of Antarctic krill.
Currently, the total annual consumption of krill in the Antarctic region is estimated to be between 1.52 and 3.13 million tons, indicating the important position of krill in the entire Antarctic ecosystem.
Challenges facing Antarctic krill
Despite their vital ecological status, Antarctic krill face many threats. Among them, the retreat of sea ice caused by global warming poses a great challenge to the reproduction and survival of krill. Reduced amounts of sea ice not only reduce their habitat, but also affect their chances of survival early in life.
As habitat changes, the ecological structure of krill may also undergo significant changes.
In addition, the problem of ocean acidification cannot be ignored. As the concentration of carbon dioxide in the ocean rises, the resulting acidification may affect the growth and reproduction of krill, further impacting their contribution to ecology.
The connection between humans and Antarctic krill
Human fishing for Antarctic krill resources also shows certain risks. Although at least 100,000 tons of krill are caught every year, concerns about overfishing are growing. Krill has high nutritional value and is therefore widely used in animal feed and human food. However, maintaining its ecological balance is the key to sustainable use.
The impact on the survival and ecosystem of Antarctic krill in the future is undoubtedly worth pondering: Can we find a balance point to protect the stability of the Antarctic ecology while utilizing this natural resource?
