The impact of climate change on marine mega-decapod ranges: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Globally, marine taxa and their associated ranges are negatively impacted by climate change, including ecologically and socioeconomically important marine mega-decapods. Given their ecological and socioeconomical importance, comprehending the current and future impacts of climate change on marine mega-decapod ranges is of the utmost importance. In this paper, a systematic literature review is conducted on Brachyuran, Anomuran, Astacidean, and Achelatan range responses to climate change. In total, 48 papers were included in this review, with 76 species and 101 range responses reported. We identified trends in study conductance, range responses and associated consequences. Our results show that there is a spatial discrepancy in the distribution of study locations, as well as a taxonomic bias towards studying Brachyuran species. Additionally, our results reveal that the majority of species’ ranges are affected, with range expansions, shifts and contractions being the most commonly recorded. Moreover, a general poleward movement into cooler waters is observed for many species, namely 69 % of all recorded range responses, whilst an offshore movement is witnessed to a lesser extent (18 %). Additionally, a greater number of observed range responses were reported than modelled/predicted range responses. Range shifts will cause a variety of negative ecological impacts, such as exacerbating population declines, increasing competition and spreading disease. Further, range shifts will also create a number of socioeconomic issues, due to commercial and non-commercial species being equally affected by climate change. This is the first and most detailed quantification of marine mega-decapod range responses to climate change and provides key data on range response trends, so that appropriate future conservation strategies can be formulated, and negative socioeconomic impacts can be mitigated.