Arctic Report Card

Biology

Michael J. Gill, Topic Editor

Chair, Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Environment Canada, Whitehorse, Yukon CA

October 16, 2009

Summary

Broad-scale changes to Arctic wildlife populations and ecosystems illustrate the sensitivity of these systems to changing conditions, both natural and human-induced. Recent research and monitoring has shown close correlations between ocean temperatures and ecosystem states (e.g. Bering Sea fisheries) and population abundance (e.g. Murres). Also, in some instances, largely synchronous, pan-Arctic periods of abundance and scarcity suggest large-scale mechanisms (e.g. continental climate oscillations) are important determinants of population trajectories for some species. Recent examples of these close connections are the declines in wild caribou and reindeer herds across the Arctic, which are thought to be part of a long-term natural cycle. The strong linkages between arctic ecosystems and physical conditions are cause for concern as the Arctic is experiencing and expected to continue to experience rapid and wide-scale changes in temperatures and associated conditions (e.g. sea ice extent, permafrost). Broad changes in wildlife abundance and distributions are expected, with some early evidence of these changes already emerging (e.g. sea-ice dependent marine mammals such as walrus and polar bears). However, our current understanding of the response of arctic wildlife and ecosystems to both natural and human-induced change is limited. More coordinated research and monitoring is required to provide an accurate picture as to how these systems may be responding to a changing Arctic.

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