Understanding Climate Impacts on Arctic Ecosystems

The northern Bering and Chukchi Seas are among the most productive marine ecosystems in the Pacific Arctic region and are important carbon sinks and seasonal sources of organic materials. Recent shifts in sea ice cover are having profound consequences for seasonal phytoplankton production as well as affecting upper trophic level species, including species harvested locally for subsistence. Many organisms (from microzooplankton to top predators) are changing their distribution, migration routes and foraging patterns. However, key uncertainties remain as to how the marine ecosystem will respond to seasonal shifts in the timing of spring sea ice retreat and/or delays in fall sea ice formation. Marsh Institute Researcher Karen Frey (Geography) and colleagues received funding from the National Science Foundation for their continuing long-term project The Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) – A Change Detection Array in the Pacific Arctic Region which examines changes in sea ice, seawater hydrographic properties (salinity, temperature, and nutrients), the composition of pelagic and benthic prey species, and the potential disruption of food security for coastal communities.

For full project descriptions, see the Marsh Institute Research Projects web page.