The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Sea Ice Biota Expert Network: effects of reduced sea ice cover and increased heat transport on the ice-associated ecosystem in the Arctic Ocean
Date/time: December 2, 15:00-16:30
Room: Mesanin 1
Session organizers: Haakon Hop, Norwegian Polar Institute, Bodil Bluhm, University of Tromsø, Michel Poulin, Canadian Museum Nature and Cecile von Quillfeldt, University of Tromsø on behalf of the CBMP Sea Ice Biota Expert Network
The ice-associated ecosystem in the Arctic Ocean is changing rapidly due to warming Arctic climate with commensurate reductions in sea ice extent and thickness. Reductions in sea ice have already caused changes in diversity, abundance and production of sea ice biota and animals at higher trophic levels that utilize sea ice. Trends are difficult to assess, however, because basic diversity inventories are incomplete, time series are lacking and cumulative effects on different trophic levels are poorly studied. Current knowledge of biodiversity in the ice-associated ecosystem and its specialists, such as the ivory gull, are presented. Appropriate monitoring measures will be discussed.
- Igor Melnikov, Russian Academy of Sciences: Changes in sea ice ecosystem in the Arctic Ocean observed during a life time of research at ice stations and ships
- Philipp Assmy, Norwegian Polar Institute: The distribution, phenology and fate of ice-algal blooms in the Arctic Ocean
- Haakon Hop, Norwegian Polar Institute: Arctic sea ice biota
- Olivier Gilg, University of Bourgogne: The ivory gull: an endangered sea-ice specialist under growing scientific and conservation concerns
- Bodil Bluhm, University of Tromsø: Overview of ongoing sea ice-related projects with relevance for the CBMP's Sea Ice Biota Expert Network
Session theme: Understanding cumulative effects and managing impacts