Summary
This Summary for Policymakers uses information and infographics from the research articles, updated with other more recent research articles, to provide the following information: 1. How Southern Ocean species and ecosystems are already being affected by climate change and what the future looks like; 2. Where to find fuller explanations in MEASO articles for statements made in this summary; 3. Policy-relevant advice on protecting and conserving these ecosystems and enhancing their resilience; and 4. Priorities and processes for scientific research to support the provision of policy-relevant advice into the future. The summary is divided into 6 main sections. Each section comprises a number of headline statements or conclusions that provide the narrative of the section. Where needed, each headline statement has supporting statements to provide further background. In cases where the statements have uncertainty, a confidence level is assigned – ranging from low to medium to high to very high. The source of a statement and background to the confidence level can be found in the citation indicated by the number, which relates to the reference in the References section. Infographics are provided in each section to promote a better understanding of the conclusions in the text.