Geography
Implications of arctic sea ice decline for the earth system
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Arctic sea ice decline has led to an amplification of surface warming and is projected to continue to decline from anthropogenic forcing, although the exact timing of ice-free summers is uncertain owing to large natural variability. Sea ice reductions affect surface heating patterns and the atmospheric pressure distribution, which may alter midlatitude extreme weather patterns. Increased light penetration and nutrient availability during spring from earlier ice breakup enhances primary production in the Arctic Ocean and its adjacent shelf seas. Ice-obligate marine mammals may be losers, whereas seasonally migrant species may be winners from rapid sea ice decline. Tundra greening is occurring across most of the Arctic, driven primarily by warming temperatures, and is displaying complex spatial patterns that are likely tied to other factors. Sea ice changes are affecting greenhouse gas exchanges as well as halogen chemistry in the Arctic. This review highlights the heterogeneous nature of Arctic change, which is vital for researchers to better understand.
Publication Title
Annual Review of Environment and Resources
Publication Date
2014
Volume
39
First Page
57
Last Page
89
ISSN
1543-5938
DOI
10.1146/annurev-environ-122012-094357
Keywords
Arctic marine mammals, Arctic Ocean primary productivity, Polar chemistry, Polar greenhouse gas exchanges, Sea ice impacts, Tundra vegetation
Repository Citation
Bhatt, Uma S.; Walker, Donald A.; Walsh, John E.; Carmack, Eddy C.; Frey, Karen E.; Meier, Walter N.; Moore, Sue E.; Parmentier, Frans Jan W.; Post, Eric; Romanovsky, Vladimir E.; and Simpson, William R., "Implications of arctic sea ice decline for the earth system" (2014). Geography. 221.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_geography/221