Climate change in the arctic and the impact on marine ecosystems Door: Anja Jansen Begeleiding: Wim Klaassen 2004/’05 Door: Anja Jansen Begeleiding: Wim Klaassen 2004/’05 (NASA)

Increased warming at the poles

Research question What are the influences of climate change on the arctic region and its marine ecosystem?

Topics Climate change Melting of ice Sea current changes Ecosystem changes Climate change Melting of ice Sea current changes Ecosystem changes

The arctic climate The climate of the arctic is distinguished by its most important quality: cold. Why is the arctic cold? - the sunlight has to travel a long way through the atmosphere - high albedo of the arctic region - energy lost by warmth transport in water and melting of ice (in summer) The climate of the arctic is distinguished by its most important quality: cold. Why is the arctic cold? - the sunlight has to travel a long way through the atmosphere - high albedo of the arctic region - energy lost by warmth transport in water and melting of ice (in summer)

Temperature change in the arctic Changes in surface temperature between the periods and (Comiso en Parkinson, 2004)

The Arctic oscillation Arctic oscillation Positive phase Negative phase Arctic oscillation Positive phase Negative phase

The arctic oscillation seems to be staying in the positive, warm phase (NOAA)

Ozone concentration in march 1979 (left) and march 2003 (right). (NASA) Ozone concentration in march 1979 (left) and march 2003 (right). (NASA)

Temperature change in the troposphere (left) and the stratosphere (right) between the 80’s and the 90’s of the twentieth century. (Overland, Wang en Bond, 2002) Temperature change in the troposphere (left) and the stratosphere (right) between the 80’s and the 90’s of the twentieth century. (Overland, Wang en Bond, 2002)

polar vortex polar statospheric clouds polar vortex polar statospheric clouds

Trends in september sea ice concentration between (a) and (b) (NASA)

The expected loss of summer sea ice in this century. (ACIA report, 2004)

Changes in ice coverage on greenland Source: Corell (2004).

Graph of annual average temperature and average total precipitation for 1897 to Based on data for the Cascade West Climate Division. The red lines show the general trend of both temperature and precipitation, while the blue dots show the annual variation of both values.

Annual runoff of Lena, Ob and Yenisey Rivers. The Ob and Yenisey Rivers show an increase since the 1980s

Seacurrent change Slowing and possible disappearing Gulf Stream in the north atlantic

Important changes Warming Melting of sea-ice River runoff Stratification Slowing Gulf Stream Stronger light Warming Melting of sea-ice River runoff Stratification Slowing Gulf Stream Stronger light

Influences on the ecosystem Changes in migration routes Longer productive summer period Increased severity and frequency of floodings Life-rhythm change Sub-arctic species migrate north - animals (fish)/plants (plankton) - diseases and parasites Changes in migration routes Longer productive summer period Increased severity and frequency of floodings Life-rhythm change Sub-arctic species migrate north - animals (fish)/plants (plankton) - diseases and parasites

Average frostless period and the trend between 1988 and 2001

Changes of primary production between the periods and

Changes in sea-ice, permafrost area and tree line expected by the end of the century (ACIA)

ACIA

Changes in water temperature and in fish numbers observed in pacific fish harvests (Klyashtorn and Smirnov) Changes in water temperature and in fish numbers observed in pacific fish harvests (Klyashtorn and Smirnov)

Red line = herring Blue line = temperature ACIA

Influences on the ecosystem Ozone depletion & sea-ice loss : - Reactions with sunlight -> toxic chemicals (hydroxyl, peroxide, super-oxide, etc) - UV-B harmful for phytoplankton - DNA damage in bacteria and larvae - Fish get UV-B sunburns Ozone depletion & sea-ice loss : - Reactions with sunlight -> toxic chemicals (hydroxyl, peroxide, super-oxide, etc) - UV-B harmful for phytoplankton - DNA damage in bacteria and larvae - Fish get UV-B sunburns

North American fisheries have been in severe decline since the late 1980s, with at least one-third of all species overfished (compiled from Fishstat 2001 ) North American fisheries have been in severe decline since the late 1980s, with at least one-third of all species overfished (compiled from Fishstat 2001 )

Conclusions The climate of the earth is a fragile equilibrium which has been changed very often in the earth’s history. Climate change forces species to adept or extinct, and helps new species to evolve, by creating new habitat. There have been many drastic changes in the arctic environment, and to fully understand the consequences on the ecosystem needs a lot more research. The climate of the earth is a fragile equilibrium which has been changed very often in the earth’s history. Climate change forces species to adept or extinct, and helps new species to evolve, by creating new habitat. There have been many drastic changes in the arctic environment, and to fully understand the consequences on the ecosystem needs a lot more research.