Articles tagged with Arctic Ecosystems
A new study reveals major challenges in incorporating traditional knowledge into Atlantic salmon governance in Norway and Finland. The authors argue that unrealistic international expectations and local legitimacy issues hinder the successful integration of Sámi knowledge with science.
Researchers found that warmer winters mean more ice on the ground due to increased winter rain, posing challenges for Arctic wildlife and ecosystems. The formation of basal ice can kill plants and starve animals, while rain-on-snow events can lead to avalanches.
New research reveals record amounts of mercury released into waterways through thawing permafrost, contaminating downstream ecosystems. Climate change exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for further study on mercury cycling and its impact on Arctic food webs.
A new study warns that 70% of current Arctic infrastructure is at risk from thawing permafrost within the next 30 years. The projected impacts could lead to major ecosystem disruption and adverse effects on energy supplies, national security, and economic activity.
A study analyzing population data over 70 years found that climate change is responsible for a substantial decline in shorebird populations. Rates of daily nest predation have increased threefold in the Arctic and doubled in the North Temperate Zone, leading to devastating effects on population numbers.
Research suggests that reduced Arctic snow cover due to climate change poses a significant threat to the region's biodiversity. Many plant species rely on snow cover for survival and are already endangered, making conservation efforts crucial. The study highlights the importance of addressing climate change to preserve northern nature.
New research reveals Arctic phytoplankton blooms are expanding northward at a rate of 1 degree of latitude per decade. The decline in sea ice creates open water areas where phytoplankton can thrive, leading to increased primary productivity and potential changes to the food web.
A new collection in PLOS Biology explores the challenges of using stories to communicate scientific evidence around climate change, highlighting the need for accurate narrative without sacrificing scientific accuracy. The collection features articles on strategies for climate communication, storytelling frameworks, and the importance o...
A new study found that while polar bears relied on whale carcasses in the past, this resource will not be enough to sustain most bear populations in the future due to climate change. The Arctic is expected to become ice-free by 2040, making it difficult for bears to find alternative food sources.
Researchers found a small ice-free 'polynya' in the Arctic that sustained microscopic marine life for at least 5,000 years. This discovery provides insight into how marine ecosystems adapted to extreme climate conditions during the last Ice Age, highlighting their vulnerability and resilience.
New research reveals Arctic plant height increased by 20-60% over 30 years, with non-native species like vernal sweetgrass spreading into the region. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in changing plant traits, contrary to previous climate change models.
A study by Zicheng Yu of Lehigh University aims to understand the dynamics of peatlands in the Arctic Tundra and their role in mitigating climate change. The research will investigate the formation, distribution, and dynamics of peat patches in the Arctic Tundra and assess their implications for global carbon storage capacity.
Researchers have developed a new approach to predict how plants in Arctic regions respond to warming, revealing that 16% of vegetated land is no longer temperature-limited today. By the year 2100, only 20% of vegetation will be limited by cold conditions.
A Dartmouth study found that Arctic mosquito populations depend on aquatic habitats and blood meal availability. The research indicates that female mosquitoes carrying eggs were most abundant near ponds in areas frequented by animals.
Warming alters Arctic tundra ecosystems, with wolf spiders affecting herbivores and soil animals; Collembola populations decline under warm conditions, while decomposition slows.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis found that warming conditions can alter the way wolf spiders interact with their prey, including springtails and fungi, leading to changes in ecosystem processes like decomposition. This shift could potentially alleviate some impacts of global warming on carbon losses from the tundra.
Barnacle geese accelerate their 3,000-kilometer migration in response to rising Arctic temperatures. However, the birds' early arrival is often offset by a recovery period that delays egg-laying, resulting in reduced gosling survival rates.
A comprehensive review study found that only two research stations account for 30% of cited studies in the Arctic region. The researchers highlight under-sampling of rapidly warming sites, particularly in the Canadian high-Arctic archipelago and Russia's Arctic coastline.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that narwhals, beluga, and bowhead whales are most vulnerable to vessel traffic in the Arctic. The researchers identified two 'pinch points' where ships and animals are most likely to intersect, including the Bering Strait and Lancaster Sound.
Research tracked changes in Arctic arthropod populations in response to warming temperatures, finding more plant-eating and parasitic insects, and fewer detritivores. The study suggests that water availability will play a key role in determining which bug species can thrive in a warming Arctic.
The Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research was the largest of its kind held in a non-Arctic country, attracting 344 participants from 18 nations. Researchers discussed global warming impacts, climate change effects, and new research projects such as MOSAiC.
A shift in western Arctic wind patterns occurred during the winter of 2017, with sea ice movement also changing. This anomaly is possible indicator of a changing climate, with potentially significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems and food webs.
A recent study found that polar regions are experiencing earlier springs, with advances of up to 16 days earlier than a decade ago. This is attributed to rapid springtime warming at higher latitudes, which has significant implications for migratory bird species and their habitats.
A new analysis found that subsistence harvesting by indigenous people has a positive association with caribou numbers, contradicting previous speculation. The study's results suggest that government controls on indigenous caribou hunting may not be necessary and highlight a 'science-policy gap' in U.S. and Canadian governments
A new review assesses the microbial degradation potential in Arctic seas, highlighting six factors challenging oil-eating microbes, including low temperatures, sea ice, and nutrient-poor environments. The research reveals that these factors can slow down biodegradation and reduce the efficiency of microbial degradation.
New research finds that beluga whales are diving deeper and longer to find food as sea ice loss changes their Arctic habitat. The whales' diving behavior has increased significantly over nearly two decades, with dives lasting up to 3 times a day and depths reaching 64 meters.
Researchers have discovered a surge in radium-228 levels in the central Arctic Ocean, indicating large-scale changes along the coast. The team suspects that melting sea ice has stirred up sediments, releasing radium into the ocean, which could have significant impacts on Arctic food webs and animal populations.
A recent study calls for the expedited sampling and digitizing of Arctic specimens on an international scale to fill gaps in biological diversity. The goal is to develop a comprehensive and accessible collection that can be used by researchers, educators, and the public to tackle conservation problems and promote STEM education.
A decade-long study in Antarctica's Dry Valleys reveals that an extreme melt season triggered changes in physical and biological characteristics, including increased soil species and population increases. The findings suggest that abrupt climate events can cause long-term alterations in polar ecosystems.
A 2002 extreme melt season triggered long-term ecological changes in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, altering the trajectory of an ecosystem over several years. The study highlights the importance of decadal data records in understanding how organisms respond to abrupt climate events.
A new study by UMass Lowell researchers has identified gaseous mercury as the major source of pollution in the Arctic tundra. The findings reveal that airborne mercury is gathering in the region's soil and ultimately running off into waters, posing a significant threat to human health and wildlife.
Research by Jin-Soo Kim and Professor Jong-Seong Kug found that warmer Arctic temperatures trigger cooler winters and springs in North America, weakening vegetation growth and lowering carbon uptake capacity. This can lead to greater damages to ecosystems due to cold and dry spells.
A study led by Lindsey Rich demonstrates that camera traps are an effective method for collecting data on species populations. The research found that prey availability can determine carnivore distributions, while human development and influence also impact population sizes.
Eric Palm, a University of Montana doctoral candidate, has received the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship to study animal movement using ecosystem-scale models for caribou. The research aims to understand consequences of land-use and climate change on caribou habitat and populations in the arctic-boreal region.
Climate change is causing Arctic river ice deposits to melt nearly a month earlier than they did 15 years ago, with most icings disappearing 26 days earlier in 2015 than in 2000. This rapid decline could have significant impacts on Arctic river ecosystems.
Researchers found Arctic soils are sensitive to climate change, with warming temperatures increasing microbial growth and respiration rates. This may lead to enhanced CO2 emissions and increased nutrient availability, potentially altering the delicate ecosystem.
Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical model explaining the emergence of phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice. The study found that thinning ice and increased melt ponds allow more sunlight to penetrate, creating conditions favorable for plankton growth.
Climate scientist Michael Rawlins will study the impacts of climate change on coastal lagoons and rivers in northern Alaska. The five-year project aims to understand changes in carbon and nutrient content and their effects on ecosystem dynamics.
A study in Greenland found that warming winters are causing plants to emerge earlier, while others are delaying their growth. This rapid change has significant implications for the Arctic ecosystem, including affecting caribou populations.
A new study reveals that residential heating and transport are major sources of black carbon in the Russian Arctic, with an estimated 35% and 38% contribution respectively. This finding highlights the importance of reducing black carbon pollution in the region to mitigate climate change.
A new analysis reveals that polar bears are at risk from Arctic pollutants, with the risk being 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than safety thresholds. International control measures have reduced risks for bear cubs, but new contaminants pose a growing threat to the ecosystem.
A new species of bird, Tingmiatornis arctica, has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic, dating back to approximately 90 million years ago. The fossil finds reveal a hyper-warm interval during the late Cretaceous period, with conditions allowing large birds to thrive.
Researchers measured significant spring pulses of greenhouse gases in the Arctic during thaw, revealing that the region may not be as effective at absorbing CO2 as previously believed. The study's findings suggest that climate change could lead to more frequent and intense emissions, which could offset the Arctic's role as a carbon sink.
A recent study found enhanced nitrous oxide emissions in Arctic soils under field warming conditions, with hampered plant growth playing a key role. The study highlights the potential for even mild air warming to trigger greenhouse gas production at depth.
A new study by McGill University reveals that economic transitions, social shifts, and climate change are dramatically affecting the safety of Inuit during Arctic activities. The research connects life-endangering events to increasing costs of harvesting and travel, changing technology, and shifts in Indigenous knowledge.
New study reveals Arctic algae play a crucial role in the ocean's food web, with species at great depths relying on carbon from these algae. The decline of Arctic sea ice could have significant impacts on marine life, including fish, seals and polar bears.
Soil moisture levels in the Arctic play a crucial role in determining carbon emissions as temperatures rise. A recent study found that dry soils release significantly more carbon than wet soils, even accounting for methane production.
A NASA study has found that nearly a third of the land cover in the Arctic is turning green, with western Alaska and Quebec experiencing significant changes between 1984 and 2012. The study used high-resolution Landsat data to track vegetation trends across a 4.1 million square-mile area.
Increased Arctic vegetation may counteract global warming by reducing decomposition and releasing stored carbon, according to a Lund University study. The study found that warmer temperatures trigger bacteria and fungi to break down nutrient-rich shrubs rather than moss, leading to reduced soil nitrogen.
A US study has found that nearly one-quarter of sites across the US are threatened by high levels of atmospheric nitrogen pollution, leading to a loss of plant species richness. The research highlights the vulnerability of grassland ecosystems to nitrogen pollution, particularly those with acidic soil.
The NSF has awarded a $5.9 million grant to develop and curate the NSF Arctic Data Center, a repository for Arctic scientific data preservation and discovery. The center will offer features like search filters, map-based overview, and seamless data uploading, supporting open, reproducible science in the Arctic.
The Arctic region is reacting quickly to climate changes, impacting global systems. Research priorities focus on exploring the Arctic's role in the global climate system, improving climate models and forecasts, and understanding the environment's vulnerability.
Beluga whales have been found to dive to depths of up to 900 meters to maximize their encounters with prey, such as Arctic cod. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of beluga migration and feeding patterns in the Arctic, shedding light on the impact of climate change on these elusive marine mammals.
The Arctic Report Card 2015 reveals a warming trend with air temperature 2.3 degrees above average, sea ice extent at its lowest record since 1979, and significant melting on the Greenland ice sheet. Fish and walrus are adapting to the changing climate by moving north in search of new habitats.
Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that a 15-year observation series reveals how sensitive arctic marine ecosystems are to change. The study indicates that even a short-term influx of warm water can fundamentally impact local symbiotic communities, leading to changes in deep-sea life.
A new study predicts that parts of the Arctic Ocean will see at least 60 days a year of open water by the 2050s. Researchers used climate simulations to investigate local impacts of open water expansion patterns in the Arctic, finding that many sites will have more than 100 additional days of open water by then.
Researchers discovered a world of biological activity beneath the Arctic's polar night, with diverse species reproducing and thriving in the darkness. The findings raise questions about how marine species adapt to the changing climate and highlight the importance of this period for ecosystem reproduction.
A Dartmouth College study found that Arctic mosquitoes are thriving under climate change, emerging earlier and growing faster due to warmer temperatures. This boosts their population, threatening caribou and other wildlife, with a predicted 53% increase in survival probability by 2°C warming scenario.
Researchers at the Marcell Experimental Forest in Minnesota are conducting unprecedented whole-ecosystem manipulation to study peatlands' response to increased temperature and elevated carbon dioxide. The goal is to understand how peatlands react to various warming conditions and their impact on the global carbon cycle.
A recent Arctic tundra study found that climate warming is driving dramatic changes in the region's vegetation, with shrubs growing more in warmer temperatures. This increase in shrub growth can lead to more warming in tundra ecosystems and globally.