Sea Ice Associated Biodiversity Assessment

Life Linked to Ice examines the consequences for biodiversity of the dramatic changes occurring to sea ice. It was prepared by the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna working group (CAFF), and both draws from and builds on Arctic Council assessments in order to present an overview of the state of knowledge about sea-ice-associated biodiversity. The report is intended as a briefing and reference document for policy makers.

>The status and trend of indicator species #10, Arctic sea-ice ecosystems, in the Arctic Biodiversity Trend 2010 report.

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.

Workshop goals were to: outline past trends and the current situation for sea ice-associated biodiversity and project what might happen in the future; consider issues facing sea ice-associated biodiversity and what actions might be required to adapt to or mitigate the effects of reduced availability of Arctic sea ice; outline a technical report on the effects of sea ice loss on ice-associated biodiversity and determine next steps.