Articles tagged with Arctic Ecosystems
Climate change poses an existential threat to Arctic wildlife and ecosystems, with unique species at risk of extinction. The Arctic is home to over 21,000 species, many of which are highly adapted to the harsh environment.
NOAA researcher Sue Moore says Arctic marine mammals respond to climate change by shifting their distribution, timing of movements, and feeding locations. This provides clues on how the ecosystem is responding to changes in sea ice, warming temperatures, and increased storminess.
Researchers have discovered an infectious form of the cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii in western Arctic Belugas, raising public health concerns. The discovery also highlights the impact of climate change on pathogen circulation, allowing previously isolated parasites to spread to new hosts.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating on ancient moss samples exposed by modern Arctic warming to determine the age of relic mosses. The findings suggest that eastern Canadian Arctic temperatures are warmer now than in any century over the past 5,000 years.
Scientists discover Atlantic amphipods reproducing in Arctic waters, marking a shift in the zooplankton community and potential impacts on marine birds, fish, and whales. The findings suggest that warmer ocean temperatures are allowing these species to thrive in previously inhospitable areas.
The NSF has awarded six projects to 12 institutions, including international collaborations, to understand Arctic sustainability. The projects focus on environmental change, governance, and community resilience, with a goal of informing policy and mitigation strategies.
Research suggests that moonlight affects prey species differently depending on their sensory systems, with some using vision as a backup defense. Moonlight benefits visually oriented prey, while negatively impacting predators' hunting success.
Researchers highlight climate change's role in spreading infectious diseases, affecting wildlife and agriculture, with potential consequences of extinction and human health risks
Sea-ice loss has widespread effects on Arctic wildlife, including disruptions to food chains, population mixing, and disease dynamics. The loss of albedo and increased warming accelerate melting, affecting critical habitats for species such as caribou, arctic foxes, and walrus.
Climate change is affecting infectious diseases worldwide, causing human health and biodiversity conservation impacts. The study proposes modeling disease systems to predict and mitigate the spread of lethal diseases.
Researchers warn of an 'economic time-bomb' in the Arctic due to thawing permafrost, which could trigger catastrophic climate change with a global cost of $60 trillion. The release of methane from the East Siberian Sea alone would have a mean global impact of this value.
A recent study published in Nature found that the Arctic tundra's carbon storage has remained relatively stable despite two decades of slow and steady warming. The researchers attributed this unexpected resilience to increased plant growth and changing soil conditions, which facilitated stabilizing feedbacks to offset soil carbon loss.
New models predict a massive 'greening' of the Arctic by mid-century, with up to 50% increase in wooded areas and acceleration of climate warming. This trend will have far-reaching impacts on global ecosystems and wildlife.
Rising temperatures are expected to lead to a massive 'greening' of the Arctic, with wooded areas increasing by up to 50% over the next few decades. This dramatic change will accelerate climate warming at a rate greater than previously predicted, having significant impacts on the global ecosystem.
Researchers predict a massive 'greening' of the Arctic due to rising temperatures, which could lead to an acceleration of climate warming. The models suggest that tree cover could increase by up to 50% over the next few decades, resulting in significant impacts on the global ecosystem.
Researchers discovered a significant reduction in temperature and vegetation seasonality in northern latitudes, with temperatures increasing at different rates during the four seasons. This has led to increased plant growth productivity, covering over 9 million km2 of land.
A distributed biological observatory in the North American Arctic will monitor the biological response to sea ice retreat and environmental changes in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The project aims to track how Arctic creatures respond to climate change and understand its effects on higher organisms.
A new report from ArcticNet proposes practical solutions to enhance the well-being of Northern communities, including improved management of caribou herds, monitoring of water quality, and protection of traditional resources such as berry production areas. The recommendations aim to address the effects of climate change on these regions.
Dr. Bruce J. Peterson has made seminal contributions in oceanography, limnology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and hydrology through his use of new methods and scientific publications. His research on the freshwater cycle of the Arctic has made fundamental advances in understanding land-ocean interactions.
In 2012, huge quantities of algae grew on sea ice in the Central Arctic, with Melosira arctica responsible for almost half primary production. This led to rapid sinkage of algae to deep-sea, where it was consumed by bacteria and animals.
Polar bears face an imminent threat from rapid Arctic ecosystem changes, which could lead to population declines of up to 50%. Governments must develop conservation plans to mitigate the effects of climate change. The authors' study suggests that a single severe ice year could erase half of a polar bear population in a single year.
The new research station will be equipped with modern laboratory facilities, equipment, and unmanned drones to monitor air composition. Researchers from Denmark and abroad will collaborate on interdisciplinary studies of climate change, sea ice, ecosystems, and atmosphere.
A Norwegian study found that climate events, particularly rain-on-snow events, drive synchronized population fluctuations among high-arctic vertebrates. This synchrony affects the entire community, including species such as reindeer, rock ptarmigan, and arctic foxes.
Future climate changes are predicted to benefit most mammals in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions today, except for some specialists like the Arctic fox and lemming. Human activities will hinder these species from adapting, reducing their distribution instead.
Researchers used NASA's Operation IceBridge data to correct forecast models and improve seasonal predictions. The new quick look data product, released before the end of the Arctic campaign, supplements final sea ice data and enables more accurate forecasts.
The US Navy is accelerating its research efforts in the Arctic due to rapid changes in sea ice coverage. The recent summit brought together top officials from various government agencies to share scientific ideas and form new partnerships. Experts warn that these changes could have global environmental and socio-economic consequences.
Research reveals Arctic plants are adapting to rising temperatures by growing taller and expanding, particularly evergreen shrubs, with vascular species like shrubs and plants becoming more widespread
MoLab measures biological, physical, chemical, or geological parameters over several months and square kilometers. The system investigates the impact of climate change on corals and their ecosystems.
Scientists from WHOI conducted a new study measuring carbon levels at various depths in the Arctic Ocean. The data will help researchers understand how carbon cycles through the marine ecosystem and respond to rising global temperatures.
The US GEOTRACES initiative will conduct a grand-scale, coordinated experiment in the Arctic Ocean to better understand climate change impacts on ecosystems and geochemical cycles. The project aims to establish a baseline for future measurements and inform feedback mechanisms for Arctic change.
Despite harsh winter conditions, microscopic creatures in the Arctic food chain remain active, with zooplankton feeding at low rates. This discovery has implications for climate modeling and understanding of ecological balance, particularly in commercial fisheries.
Researchers combined scientific observations with Canadian Inuit traditional knowledge to determine Arctic killer whale behaviour and diet. Arctic killer whales primarily eat marine mammals, such as seals and bowhead whales, but little is known about their prey preference.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Toolik Field Station will receive a $16.3 million award from the National Science Foundation to improve its infrastructure and services. The funding will support upgrades to housing, utilities, meals, communications, and lab space for hundreds of scientists and students working at the station.
A new study found that lemmings can promote greening in the Arctic by increasing grass and sedge biomass, which could tip the climate either way. The researchers suggest that lemming populations play a key role in regulating tundra ecosystems, potentially maintaining them as carbon sinks.
Researchers will investigate the Hanna Shoal ecosystem in the Chukchi Sea to understand its high productivity and potential impact from climate change. The study aims to inform offshore oil drilling operations and protect the Arctic ecosystem, with data integration for future environmental assessments.
The study found that the Teshekpuk Lake region contains some of the highest nesting bird densities and nest productivity across Alaska's Arctic. Additionally, nests at the site showed higher nest survivorship rates compared to another site in the Prudhoe Bay region with oil extraction activities.
Researchers used satellite data to observe and monitor ice-edge blooms across the whole Arctic region. They found that ice-edge blooms occurred in all seasonally ice-covered areas and from spring to late summer.
Climate models project significant changes in Arctic ecosystems by 2099, with tundra coverage shrinking and temperate climates expanding; forest expansion may amplify global warming, impact wildlife habitats.
The VIMS team is studying the Arctic coastal ecosystem, focusing on nutrient inputs and microbial community changes in response to climate change. Warmer temperatures, increased runoff, and larger ice-free areas may shift productivity from phytoplankton to bacteria, threatening native ecosystems.
A recent study suggests the Arctic climate system may be more sensitive to greenhouse warming than previously thought. The researchers used three independent methods to measure Pliocene temperatures on Ellesmere Island, finding that CO2 levels of approximately 400 parts per million can produce mean annual temperatures in the High Arcti...
Vegetation around the world is shifting towards poles and equator due to climate change, altering ecosystems and reducing habitat for endangered species. An estimated one-tenth to half of the land mass will be highly vulnerable to vegetation shifts by the end of this century.
Mikhail Mikhailovich Ermolaev was a prominent Soviet Arctic scientist who worked for 13 years before being arrested and sent to the Gulag on trumped-up charges. Despite harsh conditions, he eventually resumed his academic career and established a new department at Kaliningrad State University.
The Arctic Species Trend Index reports a 26% decline in species populations, including lemmings and caribou, due to climate change. In contrast, some marine mammal and fish populations are increasing in response to changes in the Arctic ecosystem.
Researchers developed a new approach to track mercury's movement through Arctic ecosystems using a 'fingerprint' method. The study confirmed mass-independent fractionation occurs during sunlight-driven reactions in snow, allowing for the estimation of mercury loss and retention.
The ESA workshop explored the potential of space-based services to address Arctic challenges such as climate change, ocean traffic management, and environmental protection. Space assets can improve search and rescue operations, monitor sea ice and ocean changes, and facilitate sustainable development in the region.
The Arctic has been a carbon sink since the last Ice Age, but rapid climate change could eliminate it. Warmer temperatures and permafrost thawing could release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming.
The Arctic ecosystem is experiencing rapid changes due to global warming, impacting natural resources, food production, and climate temperature. Many original species are being displaced by migrants from southern areas, leading to concerns about the long-term survival of vulnerable species such as Arctic foxes and ivory gulls.
Researchers highlight the need to study the indirect effects of climate change on plants, animals, and humans in the Arctic. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding the ecology of Arctic winters, conservation of ecosystems, and the impact of extreme events.
The Arctic is experiencing dramatic biological responses to global warming, with many iconic species facing extinction due to loss of polar ice habitat. However, some species are adapting, such as reindeer that benefit from melting snow, while others, like caribou, are declining in numbers.
Research teams need more focused investigation into Arctic effects of global warming, particularly in early spring and winter.
A new study reveals that oil development in the Arctic is attracting opportunistic predators like Arctic foxes, ravens, and gulls, which feed on nesting birds. These predators are using oil infrastructure to build nests or dens, leading to a significant loss of nests in areas closer to oil development.
Scientists Ron Kwok and Drew Rothrock extend Arctic sea ice record by combining ICESat satellite data with U.S. Navy submarine records, revealing a 53% decline in sea ice thickness since 1980. The study provides insights into the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and global climate.
A new study found that coastal erosion in Alaska more than doubled from historical rates, averaging over 14 meters per year. The authors attribute this increase to declining sea ice extent, rising sea temperatures, and storm power, which may signal a shift in ocean-land interactions.
The Inuit's vast geographic knowledge has been transmitted through generations by oral means, without written documentation. Their trails represent a sophisticated network of routes connecting communities across the Canadian Arctic.
Researchers at Queen's University found striking ecosystem changes in temperate lakes due to climate warming. Changes were observed decades later than in Arctic lakes, with relationships between lake algae and air temperature, ice-out records, and long-term changes.
Researchers have found that snowy owls spend most of winter on Arctic sea ice, where they may prey on seabirds and face potential climate change implications. The birds' long-distance migrations, tracked by satellite technology, suggest they are vulnerable to climate change.
A team of researchers used oceanographic data to predict the potential consequences of climate change on a global scale. They found that if current trends continue, altered ocean circulation could lead to dramatic implications for the world's climate and biosphere.
Researchers reconstructed Arctic climate patterns over 65 million years, revealing a link between Arctic cooling and global cooling. Changes in ocean circulation could lead to abrupt changes in climate, similar to those that occurred at the onset of the last ice age.
A new Cornell University study found that climate change is driving rapid ecosystem shifts in the North Atlantic, with cold Arctic waters flowing south and altering species distributions and food chains. The study reports counterintuitive findings, including northern species moving southward as temperatures rise.
The need for international cooperation and regulation is growing in response to climate change, overfishing, pollution, and other impacts on polar ecosystems. The conference aimed to identify priorities for law-making and research, as well as offer advice to decision-makers on protecting the Arctic and Antarctic regions.