Impacts of Sea Ice Variability and Polynya Formation on Biological Productivity in the Northern Bering Sea

College Of William & Mary Virginia Institute Of Marine Science, Gloucester Point VA

Investigators

Abstract

A researcher from the College of William and Mary Virginia Institute of Marine Science has been funded to investigate the effects of reduced sea ice cover - resulting from climate change - on the marine ecosystem of the Bering Sea. The relationships between sea ice cover, polynyas, and biological productivity will be investigated using satellite imaging of sea ice and primary productivity. Satellite measurements of sea ice cover and melt dates will be integrated with measurements of phytoplankton also measured by satellites and validated on research cruises. The results will be used to predict future impacts of climate warming on the productivity of the Bering Sea, an ecosystem that supports Native subsistence harvests, over half of the United States' commercial fisheries landings, and populations of endangered marine birds and mammals.