ID 34 : ClicOPEN: Impact of CLImate induced glacial melting on marine and terrestric COastal communities on a gradient along the Western Antarctic PENinsula

Short description of the core IPY project:
Rapid regional warming of air temperatures has been exceptional within the past 500 years in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers are retreating leaving ice-free areas for primary colonization of terrestrial and marine plants and animals. The ClicOPEN initiative investigates the response of coastal systems to ongoing climate change in four different areas of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Period and timing of the project:
The project runs from 2007 until 2011.

Belgian partners:
Network Coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Ann Vanreusel
Ghent University (UGent)
Marine Biology Section
Krijgslaan 281/Building S8
9000 GENT
BELGIUM
Tel : +32(0)92648521 - Fax : +32(0)92648598
email : ann.vanreusel@Ugent.be
www.marinebiology.ugent.be

Belgian contribution:
Objectives - activities of the partners:
Our institute plans to carry out experiments at Jubany station on the Antarctic Peninsula, in order to investigate the response of the coastal meiobenthos on temperature-related changes in their environment (cf. BIANZO II).

Expected results (general):
The experiments will provide us with a better view of the resilience of the Antarctic meiobenthos, and their ability to cope with temperature-related changes, in terms of community composition, biodiversity, biomass, respiration rates etc.

Related campaigns with Belgian contribution:
We have applied for a stay at Jubany station to carry out the experiments (end of 2007).

Other resources:
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