New research shows that southern elephant seals, once abundant in New Zealand, are indicators of the Southern Ocean’s ecosystem health. Historical evidence reveals that their populations have dramatically declined due to human influence and climate change. The study emphasizes the urgent need for action to protect these seals and their environment for future sustainability.
Recent research indicates that southern elephant seals serve as crucial indicators of the Southern Ocean’s health, reflecting potential responses to climate change and human activities. Associate Professor Nic Rawlence, the Director of the Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, noted that New Zealand’s beaches were once abundant with these massive seals. He described a vivid picture of the coastal environment during human arrival, filled with seals and penguins, a stark contrast to today’s ecological landscape.
The study, led by postgraduate researchers Andrew Berg and Megan Askew, employed palaeogenetic techniques on ancient specimens from New Zealand, Tasmania, and Antarctica. The findings reveal that southern elephant seals were once widespread across the Southern Ocean. Dr. Mark de Bruyn from Griffith University emphasized that shifts in their range due to climatic changes and human influences have occurred over a short evolutionary timeline.
Notably, indigenous hunting practices and European sealing drastically reduced their populations, leading to their disappearance from Australia and New Zealand. Associate Professor Rawlence stressed the importance of understanding elephant seals’ adaptation to past challenges, as this could provide valuable insights into future pressures on the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
He warned that without effective measures to address climate change and marine ecosystem degradation, both the elephant seals and the Southern Ocean are at significant risk. The research, titled “Postglacial Recolonization of the Southern Ocean by Elephant Seals Occurred From Multiple Glacial Refugia,” is published in Global Change Biology.
In summary, the study highlights the historical significance of southern elephant seals in New Zealand’s ecological heritage and underscores their sensitivity to climate change and human impacts. The research advocates for proactive measures to mitigate environmental threats, as the future of both the seals and the broader Southern Ocean ecosystem remains precarious. Without intervention, the consequences for these species and their habitat could be dire.
Original Source: news.griffith.edu.au
