Within the Pacific Arctic region, the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas are among the most productive marine ecosystems.Recent shifts in seasonal sea ice cover are having profound consequences for seasonal phytoplankton production as well affecting intimately linked upper trophic level species, including those harvested locally for subsistence. Many organisms are changing their distribution, migration and…

The Pacific Arctic Region (PAR) is experiencing major reductions in seasonal sea ice and increases in seawater temperatures. A key uncertainty is how the marine ecosystem will respond to these shifts in the timing of spring sea ice retreat or delays in fall sea ice formation. Recent observations of reduced sea ice extent and duration…