The multidisciplinary network CoastCarb (Coastal ecosystem carbon balance in times of rapid glacier melt) brings together experts from Europe, South and North America in the field of (sub)Antarctic coastal ecology and ecological modeling to gain a better understanding of complex ecosystem processes and to promote the sustainable use of marine resources.

Climate change and the intensification of human resource use are leading to massive changes in (sub)Antarctic coastal systems and the carbon cycle. At the same time, these coastal systems harbor benthic communities with the highest biomass and biodiversity, which provide important ecosystem services and require strategic monitoring and management plans. The coastal systems in Southern Patagonia and the West Antarctic Peninsula - habitats of benthic communities with the highest biomass and biodiversity - are undergoing massive changes due to climate change and increasing human use, threatening these communities. CoastCarb is an international research network investigating the consequences of climate change in the Beagle Channel and along the coast of West Antarctica. It is funded by the EU's Marie Curie RISE program and brings together more than 100 scientists and experts from Europe, South America, the USA and Canada. CoastCarb integrates data from existing projects and research stations on the coast of the West Antarctic Peninsula (e.g. Carlini, Escudero, Arctowski, Machu Picchu). The experts model ecosystems, study carbon budgets and fluxes, and analyze the relationships between ecosystem services and local communities (Website CostCarb, CoastCarb on X).

CoastCarb is included in POF-IV in subsection 4.2 “Future ecosystem functionality”.

Kerstin Jerosch
Frederike Weith
Hendrik Pehlke
Clarissa Vock