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.

Session theme: Understanding cumulative effects and managing impacts


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