Research indicates that southern elephant seals were once prevalent in New Zealand, making them key indicators of the Southern Ocean’s response to climate change. The historical presence of these seals on New Zealand beaches reflects a significant ecological past now severely impacted by human activities and climate change. Proactive measures are essential for the future viability of these species and their habitat.
Recent research reveals the historical significance of southern elephant seals in New Zealand, presenting them as indicators within the Southern Ocean ecosystem in response to climate change. The collaborative study, led by postgraduate students Andrew Berg and Megan Askew, utilized palaeogenetic techniques on ancient specimens from New Zealand, Tasmania, and Antarctica to demonstrate that these seals once thrived throughout the Southern Ocean.
Associate Professor Nic Rawlence highlights that upon human arrival in New Zealand, the beaches were bustling with a variety of marine life, including elephant seals. This vibrant ecosystem, now hard to conceive, underscores a unique aspect of New Zealand’s biological past. The study shows that climate change coupled with human activities drastically reduced the seals’ range, forcing them to retreat to remote areas of the Southern Ocean.
Dr. Mark de Bruyn mentions that historical practices, including indigenous hunting and European sealing, led to the extirpation of elephant seals from regions like Australia and New Zealand. The research aims to track these seals’ reactions to environmental changes as a means to forecast future impacts on both the seals and the broader Southern Ocean ecosystem.
The findings stress the importance of proactive measures against human-induced climate change and marine ecosystem degradation. The paper titled ‘Postglacial Recolonization of the Southern Ocean by Elephant Seals Occurred From Multiple Glacial Refugia’ was published in Global Change Biology, emphasizing the critical nature of this ecological study.
The study on southern elephant seals provides valuable insights into the historical and ongoing impacts of climate change and human activities on marine ecosystems. Understanding these dynamics is essential for future conservation efforts. The authors emphasize the need for immediate action to mitigate adverse effects on elephant seals and the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Original Source: news.griffith.edu.au
