Using the past (& present) to predict the effects of changing food environment and temperature on Northeast Arctic cod in the Barents Sea.

Informations

Funding country

Norway

Acronym

-

URL

-

Start date

1/1/2023

End date

12/31/2027

Budget

984,000 EUR

Fundings

Abstract

Can cod take the heat, and how will it change what they eat? Cod is a key species in the Barents Sea; it is arguably one of the most ecologically and economically important species in the North Atlantic. Despite the Northeast Arctic cod stock being in good condition as well as harvested sustainably, it is under threat from the effects of global climate change. Climate change is often thought of and studied as the single effect of increased temperature. However, the effects of climate change are more wide-reaching than that and can affect the cod in unknown ways. An understudied combined effect of climate change is changing food availability for the cod. The cod’s normal food, like capelin and herring may change in abundance and distribution affecting the cod’s diet. Furthermore, the Barents Sea may become home to an increased number of invasive species, like the snow crab and red king crab, potentially disrupting the environment and relationships between cod and their normal food. A crucial question therefore is, how do changes in temperature and food availability affect cod at both the individual and population level? In this young research talent project, we have the unique opportunity to use rare and extensive long-term datasets, combined with innovative modelling tools to investigate the impacts of increased temperature and changing food availability on Northeast Arctic cod.