Biological Implications of Change in Pacific-influenced Arctic Marine Ecosystems

Abstract

This lecture provides an overview of climate and biological changes in Pacific-influenced Arctic marine ecosystems. It reviews and examines the major contributing factors to these changes, including changing conditions of sea ice, freshwater input, and the alteration of marine ecosystems. Examples of these factors are provided to illustrate the potential impacts that will have broad-reaching implications for long-term ecosystem structures. This lecture also reviews the progress of various programs undertaken during recent years (i.e. Bering Sea Research Program, Canada's Three Oceans, the Russian/US Long-term Census of the Arctic Ocean, and the Western Arctic Shelf-Basin Interactions) which have provided insights into the key processes influencing ecosystem function and change in the northern Bering and Chukchi shelf regions. Data sets from these programs are included in this L&O e-Lecture, in the context of biological response to sea ice changes in the Pacific Arctic region, with accompanying discussion by the L&O e-Lecture author.