Quantifying Ecologically Significant Feeding Areas for Marine Mammals and Seabirds in the Arctic

Abstract

The Arctic marine ecosystem is highly dynamic and sensitive to environmental change, experiencing the impacts of climate change at a rate at least twice as fast as other areas of the world. Arctic organisms are adapted to the strong seasonality of the Arctic marine ecosystem, making them sensitive to changes in phenology. While it has already been shown that phenological shifts are occurring with relation to sea ice and primary production in this region, it is necessary to further quantify what species and key ecological zones will be most impacted. In an effort to assess potential changes to these key ecological areas, I analyze satellite remote sensing data for sea ice concentration and chlorophyll a concentration in ecologically significant feeding areas in the Arctic. This provides for a clearer view of what species stand to gain or lose the most as the Arctic transitions to a more temperate marine environment.