Published September 3, 2025 | Version v1
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BIOPOLE - Biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems and their global impacts

Authors/Creators

  • 1. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • 2. National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom
  • 3. British Geological Survey, Keyworth, United Kingdom
  • 4. UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor, United Kingdom
  • 5. UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 6. Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France|National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom|Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
  • 7. Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 8. UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
  • 9. Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
  • 10. Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France|Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
  • 11. University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom|National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom
  • 12. UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster, United Kingdom
  • 13. National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom|University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom

Description

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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Additional details

Cites
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Has part
Figure: 10.3897/rio.11.e163757.figure3 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/rio.11.e163757.figure1 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/rio.11.e163757.figure2 (DOI)

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