Mean global temperature could reach 2°C above preindustrial levels by 2042, leading to significant impacts on Southern Ocean whales. According to state-of-theart climate models, under 2°C global warming, the area of the Southern Ocean covered by sea ice is projected to shrink by an average of 10-15%. This reduction could be up to 30% in some regions, meaning that species that are heavily dependent on sea ice, such as the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) are projected to lose between 5-30% of ice-associated habitat within 40 years – little more than the life time of an individual whale. Reductions in ice cover is also likely to affect the icedependent Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). Less availability of Antarctic krill would have significant ramifications for both resident and migratory whales, as well as the Antarctic ecosystem, as these small shrimplike zooplankton are a critical component of the Antarctic food web.
This document has been released into the public domain.
