The dynamic Arctic sea ice environment of various ice types and open ocean is a prosperous habitat to a set of interdependent organisms at all trophic levels (Figure 1). The success of this habitation depends on a delicate balance of atmospheric condition, ice quality and water attributes to provide a capacity for hunting, feeding, natal care, migration, shelter and fortification. Additionally, the immigration of foreign species with reduced sea ice obstruction could distress this synergetic ecosystem (Norwegian Polar Institute, 2013).
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Figure 1: Interactive Map of physical and ecological structure of sea ice. Adapted from Audun Igesund, Norwegian Polar Institute.
Material on this page was provided by Maren Pauly, Department of Geography, University of Waterloo