Arctic | Ecosystem Perspectives
Recent ecosystem research in the Chukchi Sea and northern Bering Sea: the Arctic Integrated Ecosystem Research Program Presenter: Lisa Eisner , lisa.eisner@noaa.gov, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Seth Danielson , sldanielson@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Ed Farley , ed.farley@noaa.gov, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center,
Henry Huntington , henryphuntington@gmail.com, Huntington Consulting Calvin Mordy , calvin.w.mordy@noaa.gov, CICOES, University of Washington Phyllis Stabeno , phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Kate Stafford , kate.stafford@oregonstate.edu, Oregon State University
The Arctic Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (Arctic IERP) was a set of interlinked studies that focused on the state and dynamics of the Pacific Arctic marine ecosystems. Between 2016 and 2021, many (100+) scientists, students, coastal community members and other affiliated collaborators contributed to the results and new understandings that we present here. Field sampling occurred between June 2017 and September 2019 in multiple seasons using ships, moorings and autonomous platforms, in addition to observations and insights from coastal residents. Arctic IERP focal areas include: characterization of the state of the northern Bering and Chukchi marine ecosystems; improved descriptions of life histories, ecosystem community structure and species distributions; identification of mechanistic linkages that exert control over ecosystem dynamics and ecological functioning; and assessments of ecological and social consequences of a warming Arctic. Our field observations and experiments allow us to better constrain key parameters to more accurately model the Pacific Arctic ecosystem. To date there are over 60 peer-reviewed publications stemming from the Arctic IERP, spanning all of the program’s focal areas. Selected core oceanographic results include: seasonal air-sea heat flux, transport across the eastern Chukchi Sea, nutrient flux through Bering Strait, and export flux of organic matter to the benthos. Results on key fish species include seasonal distribution, abundance, growth and fitness. We also focused attention on often-overlooked components of the Arctic ecosystem that are likely to grow in importance under the influence of a warmer climate (e.g., Synechococcus and other picoplankton; polychaetes; nematodes). We further identified alterations to species range distributions (plankton, invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals) and energy flow through the food web that are linked to reduction in sea ice and warming waters. In terms of community response, traditional values and Indigenous leadership are essential for addressing the intertwined effects of social and environmental change in the region. The field program took place within a sequence of years having unprecedentedly warm conditions and low sea ice concentrations. Consequently, many of our observations are of conditions that will likely be more typical in future decades, and thus may represent a proxy for warmer climate conditions and potential implications for coastal communities.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 86
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