Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems

Published: September 28, 2009, 1:19 pm

Updated: May 7, 2012, 4:59 pm

Topics:

Marine Ecology (main) Oceans and seas (main) Climate Change (main)

This is Section 9.6 of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
Lead Author: Harald Loeng; Contributing Authors: Keith Brander, Eddy Carmack, Stanislav Denisenko, Ken Drinkwater, Bogi Hansen, Kit Kovacs, Pat Livingston, Fiona McLaughlin, Egil Sakshaug; Consulting Authors: Richard Bellerby, Howard Browman,Tore Furevik, Jacqueline M. Grebmeier, Eystein Jansen, Steingrimur Jónsson, Lis Lindal Jørgensen, Svend-Aage Malmberg, Svein Østerhus, Geir Ottersen, Koji Shimada

This section summarizes the conclusions from sections 9.2.5 (Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems), 9.3.4 (Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems), 9.4 (Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems), and 9.5 (Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems).

The Arctic is a major component of the global climate system; it both impacts and is impacted upon by the larger global system. This interaction is illustrated in the bulleted list of key findings, respectively labeled A>G and G>A. There are also forcing mechanisms and responses that remain internal to the Arctic (A>A). Any change in atmospheric forcing (wind, temperature, and precipitation) is of great importance for the ocean circulation and ocean processes (G>A).

• Large uncertainties in the response of the arctic climate system to climate change arise through poorly quantified feedbacks and thresholds associated with the albedo, the THC, and the uptake of GHGs by the ocean. Since climate models differ in their projections of future change in the pressure fields and hence their associated winds, much uncertainty remains in terms of potential changes in stratification, mixing, and ocean circulation.
• The Arctic THC is a critical component of the Atlantic THC. The latest assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change considered a reduction in the Atlantic THC likely, while a complete shutdown is considered unlikely but not impossible. If the Arctic THC is reduced, it will affect the global THC and thus the long-term development of the global climate system (A>G). Reduction in the global THC may also result in a lower oceanic heat flux to the Arctic (G>A). If the THC is reduced, local regions of the Arctic are likely to undergo cooling rather than warming, and the location of ocean fronts may change (A>A). The five ACIA-designated models cannot assess the likelihood of these occurrences.
• Most of the present ice-covered arctic areas are very likely to experience reductions in sea-ice extent and thickness, especially in summer. Equally important, it is very likely that there will be earlier sea-ice melt and later freeze-up (G>A). This is likely to lead to an opening of navigation routes through the Northwest and Northeast Passages for greater periods of the year and thus to increased exploration for reserves of oil and gas, and minerals.
• Decreased sea-ice cover will reduce the overall albedo of the region, which is very likely to result in a positive feedback for global warming (A>G).
• Upper water column temperatures are very likely to increase, especially in areas with reduced sea-ice cover.
• The amount of carbon that can be sequestered in the Arctic Ocean is likely to increase significantly under scenarios of decreased sea-ice cover, through surface uptake and increased biological production (A>G).
• Greenhouse gases (CO₂ and CH₄) stored in permafrost may be released from marine sediments to the atmosphere subsequent to warming, thus initiating a strong positive feedback (A>G).
• In areas of reduced sea-ice cover, primary production is very likely to increase, which in turn is likely to increase zooplankton and possibly fish production. Increased cloud cover is likely to have the opposite effect on primary production in areas that are currently ice free (G>A).
• The area occupied by benthic communities of Atlantic and Pacific origin is very likely to increase, while areas occupied by colder-water species are very likely to decrease. Arctic species with a narrow range of temperature preferences, especially long-lived species with late reproduction, are very likely to be the first to disappear. A northward retreat for the arctic benthic fauna may be delayed for the benthic brooders (the reproductive strategy for many dominant polar species), while species producing pelagic larvae are likely to be the first to colonize new areas in the Arctic (G>A).
• A reduction in sea-ice extent is very likely to decrease the natural habitat for polar bears, ringed seals, and other ice-dependent species, which is very likely to lead to reductions in the survival of these species. However, increased areas and periods of open water are likely to be favorable for some whale species and the distribution of these species is very likely to move northward (G>A).

• Some species of seabird such as little auk and ivory gull are very likely to be negatively affected by the changes predicted to occur within the arctic communities upon which they depend under climate warming, while it is possible that other species will prosper in a warmer Arctic, as long as the populations of small fish and large zooplankton are abundant (G>A).
• Increased water temperatures are very likely to lead to a northward shift in the distribution of many species of fish, to changes in the timing of their migration, to a possible extension of their feeding areas, and to increased growth rates. Increased water temperatures are also likely to lead to the introduction of new species to the Arctic but are unlikely to lead to the extinction of any of the present arctic fish species. Changes in the timing of biological processes are likely to affect the overlap of spawning for predators and their prey (match/mismatch) (G>A).
• Stratification in the upper water column is likely to increase the extent of the present ice-free areas of the Arctic, assuming no marked increase in wind strength (G>A).
• There are strong correlations between DOC, Chl-a, and the attenuation of UV radiation in marine waters. This is particularly significant within the context of possible UV-B attenuation in marine coastal systems, since DOC and Chl-a are usually more highly concentrated in ice-free waters than ice-covered waters.
• Present assessments indicate that UV-B radiation generally represents only a minor source of direct mortality (or decreased productivity) for populations, particularly in DOC-protected coastal zones. However, for those species whose early life stages occur near the surface, it is possible that under some circumstances – a cloudless sky, thin ozone layer, lack of wind, calm seas, low nutrient loading – the contribution of UV-B radiation to the productivity and/or mortality of a population could be far more significant. Thus, it is likely that UV-B radiation can have negative impacts (direct and/or indirect effects) on marine organisms and populations. However, UV-B radiation is only one of many environmental factors responsible for the mortality typically observed in these organisms.

Chapter 9: Marine Systems
9.1. Introduction (Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems)
9.2. Physical oceanography
9.2.1. General features (Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems)
9.2.2. Sea ice (Sea ice effect on marine systems in the Arctic)
9.2.3. Ocean processes of climatic importance
9.2.4. Variability in hydrographic properties and currents
9.2.5. Anticipated changes in physical conditions
9.3. Biota
9.3.1. General description of the Arctic biota community
9.3.2. Physical factors mediating ecological change
9.3.3. Past variability – interannual to decadal
9.3.4. Future change – processes and impacts on biota
9.4. Effects of changes in ultraviolet radiation
9.5. The carbon cycle and climate change
9.6. Key findings
9.7. Gaps in knowledge and research needs

References

Citation

Committee, I. (2012). Key findings of ACIA study of Arctic marine systems. Retrieved from http://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Key_findings_of_ACIA_study_of_Arctic_marine_systems