Facing multiple challenges at range margins : influence of climate change, nutrient enrichment and an introduced competitor on the glacial relict, Mysis Salemaai

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change is arguably the most important threat to global biodiversity, and its effects are expected to escalate. Mechanisms operating at local scales remain poorly understood, likely because of the confounding and interacting effects of other stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate biological effects of multiple stressors using the relict mysid crustacean Mysis salemaai at its biogeographical front as a model system. Specifically, this study investigated the link between temperature and sensitivity of M. salemaai to hypoxia in order to advance understanding of concerted effects of climate change and other stressors, including nutrient enrichment and potential biological effects of the introduced mysid Hemimysis anomala, which may determine the ultimate fate of refugial populations.