Implications of Arctic Sea Ice Decline for the Earth System

Posted: 25 Oct 2014

See all articles by Uma S. Bhatt

Uma S. Bhatt

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Donald Walker

University of Alaska Fairbanks - Institute of Arctic Biology

John E. Walsh

International Arctic Research Center

Eddy C. Carmack

Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Karen E. Frey

Clark University - Graduate School of Geography

Walter Meier

NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS)

Sue Moore

Government of the United States of America - National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service)

Frans-Jan Parmentier

Lund University

Eric Post

Pennsylvania State University

Vladimir Romanovsky

University of Alaska Fairbanks

William Simpson

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Date Written: October 2014

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.

Suggested Citation

Bhatt, Uma S. and Walker, Donald and Walsh, John E. and Carmack, Eddy C. and Frey, Karen E. and Meier, Walter and Moore, Sue and Parmentier, Frans-Jan and Post, Eric and Romanovsky, Vladimir and Simpson, William, Implications of Arctic Sea Ice Decline for the Earth System (October 2014). Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 39, pp. 57-89, 2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2514318 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-122012-094357

Uma S. Bhatt (Contact Author)

University of Alaska Fairbanks ( email )

Fairbanks, AK 99775-6660
United States

Donald Walker

University of Alaska Fairbanks - Institute of Arctic Biology ( email )

Fairbanks, AK 99775
United States

John E. Walsh

International Arctic Research Center ( email )

Fairbanks, AK 99775-6660
United States

Eddy C. Carmack

Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada ( email )

Sidney, Bristih Columbia V8L 4B2
Canada

Karen E. Frey

Clark University - Graduate School of Geography ( email )

MA 01610
United States

Walter Meier

NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) ( email )

United States

Sue Moore

Government of the United States of America - National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) ( email )

8604 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, CA 92038-0271
United States

Frans-Jan Parmentier

Lund University ( email )

Box 117
Lund, SC Skane S221 00
Sweden

Eric Post

Pennsylvania State University ( email )

University Park
State College, PA 16802
United States

Vladimir Romanovsky

University of Alaska Fairbanks ( email )

Fairbanks, AK 99775-6660
United States

William Simpson

University of Alaska Fairbanks ( email )

Fairbanks, AK 99775-6660
United States

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