| Popis: |
With the increase in global temperatures from climate change, marine currents are transporting warmer mid-latitude waters into the Arctic Pacific waters of Alaska. As a consequence, annual sea ice has declined as the warmer current temperatures disrupt patterns of annual sea ice production and retention. With less sea ice and warmer water temperatures, the Alaskan Arctic is shifting away from a benthic-driven food web supported by ice algae to one driven by greater zooplankton production. Arctic species dependent on zooplankton (e.g., bowhead whales [ Balaena mysticetus ]) are benefitting as are subarctic planktivores (e.g., humpback whales [ Megaptera novaeangliae ]) that are seasonally moving into Arctic waters to exploit increased pelagic resources. In contrast, those species more dependent on sea ice for foraging, refuge, breeding, or travel (e.g., polar bears [ Ursus maritimus ]) are at risk of decline as their sea ice habitat contracts. Evidence of zoological response to sea ice decline is presented. |
