Difference between revisions of "Predicted biodiversity changes in the Arctic"

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===The Arctic ecosystem===
 
===The Arctic ecosystem===
  
For certain [[habitats]] in the [[Arctic Ocean|Arctic]], species diversity is considered low compared to [[Marine_habitats_and_ecosystems|European marine ecosystems]] at lower latitudes. However, during the brief summers with their long day-lengths, the abundance of [[species]] is relatively high due to the large numbers of fast growing food organisms. This seasonal availability of enormous quantities of food attracts animals higher up the [[food chain]], such as whales, and provides sufficient energy for other top predators (e.g., seals, polar bears) to survive the long winter.
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For certain [[habitats]] in the [[Arctic Ocean|Arctic]], species diversity is considered low compared to [[Marine_habitats_and_ecosystems|European marine ecosystems]] at lower latitudes. However, during the brief summers with their long day-lengths, the abundance of [[species]] is relatively high due to the large numbers of fast growing food organisms. This seasonal availability of enormous quantities of food attracts animals higher up the [[food chain]], such as whales, and provides sufficient energy for other top predators (e.g., seals, polar bears) to survive the long winter.<ref name="ma">[http://www.marbef.org/documents/glossybook/MarBEFbooklet.pdf Heip, C., Hummel, H., van Avesaath, P., Appeltans, W., Arvanitidis, C., Aspden, R., Austen, M., Boero, F., Bouma, TJ., Boxshall, G., Buchholz, F., Crowe, T., Delaney, A., Deprez, T., Emblow, C., Feral, JP., Gasol, JM., Gooday, A., Harder, J., Ianora, A., Kraberg, A., Mackenzie, B., Ojaveer, H., Paterson, D., Rumohr, H., Schiedek, D., Sokolowski, A., Somerfield, P., Sousa Pinto, I., Vincx, M., Węsławski, JM., Nash, R. (2009). Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning. Printbase, Dublin, Ireland ISSN 2009-2539]</ref>
 
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== Predictions ==
 
== Predictions ==
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[[Image:Polar bear.jpg|thumb|right|200px| <div style="text-align: center;">
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Polar bear © Sea Mammal Research Unit
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</div>]]
 
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===Increase of Arctic species===
 
===Increase of Arctic species===
With increasing temperatures, there will be an increase in species from southern latitudes and the larger [[Climate_change_leads_to_Arctic_food_shortages|native predators will have to share the available food with them]]. Smaller [[pelagic]] fish and other species will benefit from a modified [[food web]] with a wider distribution of biomass at intermediate [[trophic level|trophic levels]], so that greater [[species diversity]] can be expected. The abundance and distribution of native species will change, which will significantly impact the community structure and ecosystem function.
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With increasing temperatures, there will be an increase in species from southern latitudes and the larger [[Climate_change_leads_to_Arctic_food_shortages|native predators will have to share the available food with them]]. Smaller [[pelagic]] fish and other species will benefit from a modified [[food web]] with a wider distribution of biomass at intermediate [[trophic level|trophic levels]], so that greater [[species diversity]] can be expected. The abundance and distribution of native species will change, which will significantly impact the community structure and ecosystem function.<ref name="ma">[http://www.marbef.org/documents/glossybook/MarBEFbooklet.pdf Heip, C., Hummel, H., van Avesaath, P., Appeltans, W., Arvanitidis, C., Aspden, R., Austen, M., Boero, F., Bouma, TJ., Boxshall, G., Buchholz, F., Crowe, T., Delaney, A., Deprez, T., Emblow, C., Feral, JP., Gasol, JM., Gooday, A., Harder, J., Ianora, A., Kraberg, A., Mackenzie, B., Ojaveer, H., Paterson, D., Rumohr, H., Schiedek, D., Sokolowski, A., Somerfield, P., Sousa Pinto, I., Vincx, M., Węsławski, JM., Nash, R. (2009). Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning. Printbase, Dublin, Ireland ISSN 2009-2539]</ref>
 
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===Habitat loss===
 
===Habitat loss===
 
 
The response of top predators to [[Sea_ice_ecosystems#THREATS|habitat loss (loss of sea ice)]] and to changes in food sources will differ depending on whether they are ice obligate (i.e., [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137085 polar bear], ringed seals), ice-associated (i.e., certain seals, [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137115 white whale], [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137116 narwhal], [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137086 bowhead whale] and [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137077 walrus]) or seasonal migrants (i.e., [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137091 fin] and [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137087 minke whale]).
 
The response of top predators to [[Sea_ice_ecosystems#THREATS|habitat loss (loss of sea ice)]] and to changes in food sources will differ depending on whether they are ice obligate (i.e., [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137085 polar bear], ringed seals), ice-associated (i.e., certain seals, [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137115 white whale], [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137116 narwhal], [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137086 bowhead whale] and [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137077 walrus]) or seasonal migrants (i.e., [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137091 fin] and [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137087 minke whale]).
  
 
Polar bears are particularly at risk since [[Sea_ice_ecosystems|their habitat (the ice)]] is reducing and possibilities for a northward shift in distribution are limited. The
 
Polar bears are particularly at risk since [[Sea_ice_ecosystems|their habitat (the ice)]] is reducing and possibilities for a northward shift in distribution are limited. The
loss of polar bears and other top predators in particular will not only affect the functioning of the Arctic ecosystem but also indigent human populations and their traditional way of life (e.g., hunting).
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loss of polar bears and other top predators in particular will not only affect the functioning of the Arctic ecosystem but also indigent human populations and their traditional way of life (e.g., hunting).<ref name="ma">[http://www.marbef.org/documents/glossybook/MarBEFbooklet.pdf Heip, C., Hummel, H., van Avesaath, P., Appeltans, W., Arvanitidis, C., Aspden, R., Austen, M., Boero, F., Bouma, TJ., Boxshall, G., Buchholz, F., Crowe, T., Delaney, A., Deprez, T., Emblow, C., Feral, JP., Gasol, JM., Gooday, A., Harder, J., Ianora, A., Kraberg, A., Mackenzie, B., Ojaveer, H., Paterson, D., Rumohr, H., Schiedek, D., Sokolowski, A., Somerfield, P., Sousa Pinto, I., Vincx, M., Węsławski, JM., Nash, R. (2009). Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning. Printbase, Dublin, Ireland ISSN 2009-2539]</ref>
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== See Also ==
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[http://www.marbef.org/documents/newsletter/NwsNo5_Dec06.pdf International Polar Year 2007-08]
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==References==
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<references/>
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[[Category: Marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning]]
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[[Category: MarBEF Booklet]]
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[[Category:Arctic]]

Revision as of 16:03, 5 October 2009

The Arctic ecosystem

For certain habitats in the Arctic, species diversity is considered low compared to European marine ecosystems at lower latitudes. However, during the brief summers with their long day-lengths, the abundance of species is relatively high due to the large numbers of fast growing food organisms. This seasonal availability of enormous quantities of food attracts animals higher up the food chain, such as whales, and provides sufficient energy for other top predators (e.g., seals, polar bears) to survive the long winter.[1]


Predictions

Polar bear © Sea Mammal Research Unit

Increase of Arctic species

With increasing temperatures, there will be an increase in species from southern latitudes and the larger native predators will have to share the available food with them. Smaller pelagic fish and other species will benefit from a modified food web with a wider distribution of biomass at intermediate trophic levels, so that greater species diversity can be expected. The abundance and distribution of native species will change, which will significantly impact the community structure and ecosystem function.[1]


Habitat loss

The response of top predators to habitat loss (loss of sea ice) and to changes in food sources will differ depending on whether they are ice obligate (i.e., polar bear, ringed seals), ice-associated (i.e., certain seals, white whale, narwhal, bowhead whale and walrus) or seasonal migrants (i.e., fin and minke whale).

Polar bears are particularly at risk since their habitat (the ice) is reducing and possibilities for a northward shift in distribution are limited. The loss of polar bears and other top predators in particular will not only affect the functioning of the Arctic ecosystem but also indigent human populations and their traditional way of life (e.g., hunting).[1]


See Also

International Polar Year 2007-08


References