Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, linking primary producers with higher trophic predators in the polar food web, and is also an important marine living resource. Under ongoing climate change, rapid ocean warming, sea-ice retreat, and fluctuations in primary productivity are reshaping the physical and biogeochemical environment of the Southern Ocean. Therefore, understanding the responses of krill habitats to environmental change is essential for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem-based resource management in the Southern Ocean. In this study, we integrated long-term krill observation data with key environmental variables, including sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, and sea-ice conditions, to develop a spatiotemporal prediction framework for identifying core habitats. We investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of Antarctic krill core habitats in the Antarctic Peninsula region. From the perspective of seasonal continuity in krill habitat formation, both present environmental conditions and preceding environmental changes were considered, with particular emphasis on the potential influence of winter sea-ice processes and primary productivity changes on subsequent summer krill aggregation. The results showed a clear association between krill core habitat distribution and lagged environmental effects. Incorporating approximately seven months of preceding environmental information better characterized the spatial distribution of summer krill core habitats, suggesting that the seasonal continuity from winter sea-ice processes to summer primary productivity may provide an important ecological background for krill aggregation. Sea-ice conditions, chlorophyll-a concentration, and sea surface temperature were identified as the main environmental factors influencing the distribution of krill core habitats. This study indicates that Antarctic krill habitats are highly sensitive to changes in sea ice and primary productivity. By identifying potential environmental pathways through which climate variability affects krill habitat formation, this study provides scientific support for anticipating future changes in Southern Ocean ecosystems and improving adaptive management of Antarctic marine living resources.

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