The Polar Regions have a substantial influence on global climate and are among the fastest warming regions worldwide. It is unclear to what extent anthropogenic environmental changes will impact the structure and functioning of the polar marine ecosystem and in turn, what role these ecosystems play in biogeochemical cycling.

Key pelagic species in polar marine environments have a strong impact on ecosystem functioning due to their central position in the food web. These species link primary production to the higher trophic levels, including marine mammals and sea birds. They also play a key role in the movement of biogenic carbon from the surface to the ocean’s interior and seafloor.  

Our lab uses key pelagic species as model organisms to understand and predict population shifts and ecosystem responses in polar pelagic ecosystems under current and future climate change scenarios.