Author:
Suryan Robert M.,Arimitsu Mayumi L.,Coletti Heather A.,Hopcroft Russell R.,Lindeberg Mandy R.,Barbeaux Steven J.,Batten Sonia D.,Burt William J.,Bishop Mary A.,Bodkin James L.,Brenner Richard,Campbell Robert W.,Cushing Daniel A.,Danielson Seth L.,Dorn Martin W.,Drummond Brie,Esler Daniel,Gelatt Thomas,Hanselman Dana H.,Hatch Scott A.,Haught Stormy,Holderied Kris,Iken Katrin,Irons David B.,Kettle Arthur B.,Kimmel David G.,Konar Brenda,Kuletz Kathy J.,Laurel Benjamin J.,Maniscalco John M.,Matkin Craig,McKinstry Caitlin A. E.,Monson Daniel H.,Moran John R.,Olsen Dan,Palsson Wayne A.,Pegau W. Scott,Piatt John F.,Rogers Lauren A.,Rojek Nora A.,Schaefer Anne,Spies Ingrid B.,Straley Janice M.,Strom Suzanne L.,Sweeney Kathryn L.,Szymkowiak Marysia,Weitzman Benjamin P.,Yasumiishi Ellen M.,Zador Stephani G.
Abstract
AbstractSome of the longest and most comprehensive marine ecosystem monitoring programs were established in the Gulf of Alaska following the environmental disaster of the Exxon Valdez oil spill over 30 years ago. These monitoring programs have been successful in assessing recovery from oil spill impacts, and their continuation decades later has now provided an unparalleled assessment of ecosystem responses to another newly emerging global threat, marine heatwaves. The 2014–2016 northeast Pacific marine heatwave (PMH) in the Gulf of Alaska was the longest lasting heatwave globally over the past decade, with some cooling, but also continued warm conditions through 2019. Our analysis of 187 time series from primary production to commercial fisheries and nearshore intertidal to offshore oceanic domains demonstrate abrupt changes across trophic levels, with many responses persisting up to at least 5 years after the onset of the heatwave. Furthermore, our suite of metrics showed novel community-level groupings relative to at least a decade prior to the heatwave. Given anticipated increases in marine heatwaves under current climate projections, it remains uncertain when or if the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem will return to a pre-PMH state.
Funder
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
U.S. Geological Survey
National Park Service
University of Alaska Fairbanks
National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Science Foundation
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Ocean Service
Alaska SeaLife Center
University of Alaska Southeast
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC