This one page summary (double-sided) provides an overview of the activities and progress made in 2012 to implement the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Plan.
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment 2013: Chapter 3, Mammals
A Concept Paper prepared for CAFF that describes several species which depend on sea ice for essential life functions including foraging, reproduction, protection from predators and cold water immersion, a platform for traveling, resting, and nursing, as well as some species that associate with sea ice for parts of the year. This paper specifically discusses ice algae and protists, Arctic cod, ivory gulls, thick-billed murres, spectacled and king eiders, polar bears, ringed seals, bearded seals, walruses, narwhals, beluga whales and bowhead whales.
A series of thematic goals and recommendations arising from Arctic Flora and Fauna: Status and Conservation, the science-based overview of Arctic biodiversity and key conservation issues.
The framework document for a coordinated circumpolar research and monitoring effort of polar bears.
A 2010 analysis of the Arctic Species Trend Index (ASTI) dataset, an index used to track trend in Arctic fish, mammals and birds.
Key findings from the 2011 analysis of the Arctic Species Trend Index, focussing on the marine ecosystem and spatial analysis techniques after the dataset underwent revisions and updates.
Marine mammals chapter of the State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report covering 11 Focal Ecosystem Components: walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), ringed seal (Pusa hispida) bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), spotted seal (Phoca largha), ribbon seal (Phoca fasciata), harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), narwhal (Monodon monoceros), and polar bear (Ursus maritimus).
The State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report identifies trends in key marine species and points to important gaps in biodiversity monitoring efforts across key ecosystem components in: sea ice biota, plankton, benthos, marine fishes, seabirds and marine mammals. Changes in these species are likely to indicate changes in the overall marine environment.
