Ecological Dynamics Across the Arctic Associated with Recent Climate Change

Citation

Post E, Forchhammer MC, Bret-Harte MS, Callaghan TV, Christensen TR, Elberling B, Fox AD, Gilg O, Hik DS, Hoye TT, Ims RA, Jeppesen E, Klein DR, Madsen J, McGuire AD, Rysgaard S, Schindler DE, Stirling I, Tamstorf MP, Tyler NJC, van der Wal R, Wookey P, Schmidt NM & Aastrup P (2009) Ecological Dynamics Across the Arctic Associated with Recent Climate Change. Science, 325 (5946), pp. 1355-1358. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/325/5946/1355; https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1173113

Abstract
Substantial abiotic changes have recently been observed across the Arctic. At the close of the Fourth International Polar Year, we take stock of the ecological consequences of recent climate change in the Arctic, focusing on effects at population, community, and ecosystem scales. Despite the buffering effect of landscape heterogeneity, Arctic ecosystems and the trophic relationships that structure them have been severely perturbed. These rapid changes may be a bellwether of changes to come at lower latitudes, and have the potential to affect ecosystem services related to natural resources, food production, climate regulation, and cultural integrity. We highlight areas of ecological research that deserve priority as the Arctic continues to warm.

Keywords
Arctic; Climate change; Ecological dynamics; International Polar Year; Climate changing; Polar regions Climate

Journal
Science: Volume 325, Issue 5946

People

Professor Philip Wookey

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences