Long Island Marine Biology. Long Island Sound / North Shore.
Life in the North Biology 312.3
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Transcript of Life in the North Biology 312.3
Life in the NorthBiology 312.3
Framework to Study Northern Ecosystems
Three Central Themes:
• How do environmental factors structure Northern ecosystems?
• What role do humans play in the conservation of ecosystems in the North?
• How is human health and wellness linked to changes in the Arctic?
Terminology
Ecosystem
A system of interdependent and interacting living organisms and their immediate
physical, chemical, and biological environments
Biome
A major ecological community of organisms, usually characterized by dominant
vegetation type or environmental feature (e.g. sea, barren-grounds)
Food Web
A complex system of interdependent food chains in a given ecosystem
Note: Decomposers are often viewed as a distinct attribute of a food web
Biodiversity
The variety of life forms in a given biome.
Includes considerations of species diversity, abundance, behaviors, genetics.
Sustainability
The ability of an ecosystem, or a population, to maintain its diversity, abundance, and
integrity
Sustainability Resilient to Changes
Scale
The spatial and temporal structure of an environment, or a behavior
e.g. sea-ice structure; habitat selection of caribou;
Autocorrelation of Temporal vs. Spatial Scale
Low Arctic
High Arctic
Sub Arctic
Boreal
Sea Ice
Biohazard
A physical, chemical, or radioactive substance that may cause health issues
due to exposure or bio-accumulation
Note: Generally within a context of human health
What is Unique About Northern Ecosystems?
• Sea ice dynamics
• Environmental extremes
• Low precipitations (cold desert)
• Short growing season
• Unpredictable resource distribution, especially for marine environments
Defining the Arctic
The word Arctic comes from the Greek word for bear, arktos, after
the constellations Ursa major and Ursa minor that are visible
year round in the northern night sky.
CAFF Boundary
How is the Arctic environment studied?
The application of evidence-based knowledge is essential to best manage and sustain Arctic environments.
Best Practices:• Multi-discipline approach (e.g. Atmospheric
Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Ecosystem Sciences, Toxicology, etc.)
• Local knowledge & scientific knowledge• Consultation & collaboration
Required Readings
• Box 1: The mission of CAFF
• Box 2: The Arctic Council
Arctic: A Complex System
Atmospheric
Sciences
Earth
Sciences
Ocean
Sciences
Ecosystem
Sciences
Toxicology
Dimensions of Scale: Spatial, Temporal, and Organizational
Atmospheric Sciences
• Air currents
• Contaminant transport
• Climate changes
• U.V. radiation
Note: Connects Arctic with rest of the World
cP: Continental Polar
mP: Maritime Polar
cA: Continental Arctic
mT: Maritime Tropical
cT: Continental Tropical
Required Reading
Box 5 pg. 25: The North Atlantic Oscillation & Reindeer Husbandry
Ocean Science
• Ocean currents
• Sea ice dynamics
• Air temperatures
• Contaminant transport
Note: Connects Arctic with rest of the World
Earth Sciences
• Snow
• Permafrost
• Glacier
• Biogeochemical Processes (e.g. soil)
• Natural Resources
The Lena Delta
Composite Satellite Image
Ecosystem Sciences
• Biodiversity
• Sustainability (harvest, industries)
• Nutrient reservoirs
• Growing cycles
• Wildlife population ecology
Required Reading
Box 12:
The Arctic as a Theatre of Evolution
Box 13:
Microbes Everywhere
Toxicology
• Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Radioactive isotopes
• Heavy metals
• Local contaminants
Humans in the Arctic
First Peoples and the Environment
• Human settlement in Arctic for thousands of years – e.g. Yukon inhabited ~15 000 years ago
• Humans survived by making use of reoccurring patterns of particular species and habitats– Spring: Marine mammals hunted on sea ice– Summer: Fish camps– Fall: Followed herds of terrestrial mammals
Introduction to Europeans
• Early 16th Century: European fishermen reached Newfoundland– Followed by traders, missionaries, fur traders,
whalers, etc.– Introduced European goods into Inuit society
Who Lives in the Arctic Now?
• Sedentary communities– Practice of traditional hunting, fishing, and
gathering maintained• Families may move to fishing camps in summer• Hunters may provide for several families
• Migration of non-indigenous people to the Arctic– Government, industrial jobs (e.g. mining, oil
and gas production)
Integrating cultural traditions and modern technology
Dogsled Snow machine
Bow and Arrow Rifle and Shotgun
Kayak Outboard motor
The Modern Arctic
• Rich natural resources– Gold Rush Diamond Mines
• Political Change– Local involvement in management decisions– Land Claims
• Indigenous peoples maintain rights to hunt, fish, and trap
• Co-management of land• E.g. 15% of NWT and Nunavut could be owned by
indigenous peoples when claims settled
Co-Management
• Connection between humans and environment remains important
• Integration of modern practices and traditional ways
• Deep understanding of local environment by indigenous people remains