When salps are abundant, they can be the dominant grazer on small particulates. There is then less food available for other species. Conditions that are favorable for salps may result in changes in the structure of the food web.

Recent analysis of historical data from the last 80 years has revealed a marked decrease in the abundance of krill (small shrimp) and an increase in salps near the Antarctic Peninsula, where we will be sampling during the cruise. This change is linked with climate change and a warming of the waters in this region. The result has been less winter ice cover, a necessary habitat for overwintering larval krill but not salps.

There appears to have been a shift away from favorable krill habitat, towards a system that supports more salps. This change has implication for the various birds and mammals that feed on krill. For more information see: here

When salps are abundant, their undigested food can represent a source of organic matter to the deep sea and sea bottom. Although salps feed on small particles, their fecal pellets are relatively large and therefore fast sinking. In addition, any salps that are not eaten by predators die and sink within a few months, also transporting organic material to the bottom.

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