BIOPOLE - Biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems and their global impacts

The export of elements (particularly carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) from the Poles critically supports global marine biodiversity and major fisheries as well as the sequestration of atmospheric carbon to the deep ocean. Ecosystem processes regulate this export, but major uncertainties remain in terms of how and by how much. Progress on understanding key ecosystem interactions is hindered by lack of data and their representation in Earth system models is poor. The two polar regions share similarities in environmental extremes which make them sensitive to the impacts of climate change. They both receive nutrients from multiple and diverse sources and the delivery of these nutrients to other oceans is regulated by similar ecosystem processes. However, the extent to which these ecosystem processes will be modified by climate change is unclear and urgently needs to be determined. BIOPOLE will determine how polar ecosystems regulate the balance of carbon and nutrients in the world’s oceans and, through it, their effect on global fish stocks and carbon storage. It will address this challenge by integrating ambitious fieldwork campaigns and innovative modelling in a multidisciplinary and highly coordinated approach. BIOPOLE will capitalise on world-leading capabilities and infrastructure in ocean and high-latitude research, including cutting-edge land-based facilities, state-of-the-art polar research vessels and innovative autonomous instrumentation. Collaboration with national and international partners will further strengthen BIOPOLE’s multidisciplinary approach and efficient use of infrastructure. BIOPOLE’s legacy will be the first assessment of the global impact of polar ecosystems on biogeochemical cycling and fish stocks; technologically-novel approaches and strong partnerships between leading international science groups.

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Publication Details

Journal
Research Ideas and Outcomes
Published
2025-09-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.11.e163757
Primary Topic
Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

BIOPOLE - Biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems and their global impacts

Ezra Kitson, Michael P. Meredith, Rebecca McKenzie, Kathryn Cook et al.
Research Ideas and Outcomes
Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
article

BIOPOLE - Biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems and their global impacts

Ezra Kitson, Michael P. Meredith, Rebecca McKenzie, Kathryn Cook, Michael J. Bowes, Daniel J. Mayor, Melanie J. Leng, Simeon L. Hill, Alice Marzocchi, Clara Manno, Stuart C. Painter, Anna Belcher, R. A. Hamilton, Emma F. Young, Sarah Coombs, Jennifer Freer, Sally Thorpe, Yevgeny Aksenov, E. Elena García‐Martín, Mar Benavides, Alexandra O'Brien, J. Alexander Brearley, Isabel M. Lewis, Nathan Hubot, Isabelle Fournier, Andrew Meijers, Stephen Lofts, A C Grant, Thomas Slater, Sophie Fielding, Katrin Linse, Sammie Buzzard, Edward Mawji, Shwetak Patel, Andrew Yool, Julien Palmiéri, Aidan Hunter, Madeline P. B. C. Anderson, Petra ten Hoopen, Stefanie Rynders, Bryan M. Spears, Maud A. J. van Soest, Chris Evans, T. M. Timms‐Wilson, Anna Katavouta, Emma Boland, Hugh J. Venables, Chelsey Baker, Carol Arrowsmith, Katharine Hendry, E. Povl Abrahamsen, Andrew Shepherd, Gabriele Stowasser, Amanda Burson, Justyna Olszewska, Nadine M. Johnston, Christopher Barry, Rachael Sanders, Milo J. D. Bischof, Amy Pickard, Huw J. Griffiths, Ryan A. Saunders, Geraint A. Tarling, Eduarda Pereira, David Munday, Peter J. Brown, E. A. K. Ford, Nathan Callaghan, Sarah Giering, Adrian Martin, Laura Taylor, V. R. D. Ghosh, Amy E. Swiggs, Arthur Coët, Jessica Richt, Zoe Wright
article en

Abstract

The export of elements (particularly carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) from the Poles critically supports global marine biodiversity and major fisheries as well as the sequestration of atmospheric carbon to the deep ocean. Ecosystem processes regulate this export, but major uncertainties remain in terms of how and by how much. Progress on understanding key ecosystem interactions is hindered by lack of data and their representation in Earth system models is poor. The two polar regions share similarities in environmental extremes which make them sensitive to the impacts of climate change. They both receive nutrients from multiple and diverse sources and the delivery of these nutrients to other oceans is regulated by similar ecosystem processes. However, the extent to which these ecosystem processes will be modified by climate change is unclear and urgently needs to be determined. BIOPOLE will determine how polar ecosystems regulate the balance of carbon and nutrients in the world’s oceans and, through it, their effect on global fish stocks and carbon storage. It will address this challenge by integrating ambitious fieldwork campaigns and innovative modelling in a multidisciplinary and highly coordinated approach. BIOPOLE will capitalise on world-leading capabilities and infrastructure in ocean and high-latitude research, including cutting-edge land-based facilities, state-of-the-art polar research vessels and innovative autonomous instrumentation. Collaboration with national and international partners will further strengthen BIOPOLE’s multidisciplinary approach and efficient use of infrastructure. BIOPOLE’s legacy will be the first assessment of the global impact of polar ecosystems on biogeochemical cycling and fish stocks; technologically-novel approaches and strong partnerships between leading international science groups.

Research Ideas and OutcomesVol. 11
British Antarctic Survey (GB), British Geological Survey (GB), National Oceanography Centre (GB), University of Exeter (GB), Northumbria University (GB), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (GB), Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (GB), Institut Méditerranéen d’Océanologie (FR), University of Edinburgh (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 80%
Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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