scholarly journals The Arctic Traits Database – A repository of arctic benthic invertebrate traits

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renate Degen ◽  
Sarah Faulwetter
Keyword(s):  
Role Model ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Marine Ecology ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Web Interface ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Marine Life ◽  
Ecological Understanding ◽  
General Demand

Abstract. The recently increased interest in marine trait-based studies highlights one general demand – the access to standardized, reference-based trait information. This demand holds especially true for polar regions, where the gathering of ecological information is still challenging. The Arctic Traits Database is a freely accessible online repository (https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.49; http://https://www.univie.ac.at/arctictraits) that fulfils these requests for one important component of polar marine life, the Arctic benthic macroinvertebrates. It accounts for 1) obligate traceability of information (every entry is linked to at least one source), 2) exchangeability among trait platforms (use of most common download formats), 3) standardization (use of most common terminology and coding scheme), and 4) user friendliness (granted by an intuitive web-interface and rapid and easy download options). The combination of these aspects makes the Arctic Traits Database the currently most sophisticated online accessible trait platform in (not only) marine ecology and a role-model for prospective databases of other marine compartments or other (also non-marine) ecosystems. At present the database covers 20 traits (85 trait categories) and holds altogether 8107 trait entries for 1211 macro- and megabenthic taxa. Thus, the Arctic Traits Database will foster and facilitate trait-based approaches in polar regions in the future and increase our ecological understanding of this rapidly changing system.

scholarly journals The Arctic Traits Database – a repository of Arctic benthic invertebrate traits

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renate Degen ◽  
Sarah Faulwetter
Keyword(s):  
Role Model ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Marine Ecology ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Web Interface ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Ecological Understanding ◽  
General Demand ◽  
First Time

Abstract. The recently increased interest in marine trait-based studies highlights one general demand – the access to standardized, reference-based trait information. This demand holds especially true for polar regions, where the gathering of ecological information is still challenging. The Arctic Traits Database is a freely accessible online repository (https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.49; https://www.univie.ac.at/arctictraits, last access: 20 February 2019) that fulfils these requests for one important component of polar marine life, the Arctic benthic macroinvertebrates. It accounts for (1) obligate traceability of information (every entry is linked to at least one source), (2) exchangeability among trait platforms (use of most common download formats), (3) standardization (use of most common terminology and coding scheme) and (4) user-friendliness (granted by an intuitive web interface and rapid and easy download options, for the first time including the option to download a fuzzy coded trait matrix). The combination of these aspects makes the Arctic Traits Database the currently most sophisticated online accessible trait platform in (not only) marine ecology and a role model for prospective databases of other marine compartments or other (also non-marine) ecosystems. At present the database covers 19 traits (80 trait categories) and holds altogether 14 242 trait entries for 1911 macro- and megabenthic taxa. Thus, the Arctic Traits Database will foster and facilitate trait-based approaches in polar regions in the future and increase our ecological understanding of this rapidly changing system.

The marine benthos of Arctic and sub-Arctic continental shelves

Polar Record ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 17 (111) ◽  
pp. 595-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Life Science ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Bottom Fauna ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Arctic Seas ◽  
Marine Life ◽  
Continental Shelves

The study of marine life from the bottom of Arctic and sub-Arctic seas has long been a topic of scientific interest, and such work represents an important part of contemporary biological research in the polar regions. Contributions to this field have been made through the collective efforts of investigators from many nations over the years and include findings of considerable significance for life science studies as a whole, as well as for specific polar problems. Together with contemporary research on the pelagic and planktonic biota of northern waters, current work on the bottom fauna (benthos) offers much potential for developing our fundamental knowledge of biological processes in the Arctic seas.

scholarly journals Susan Lynn Williams: the Life of an Exceptional Scholar, Leader, and Friend (1951–2018)

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Dennison ◽  
Matthew E. S. Bracken ◽  
Maria Brown ◽  
John F. Bruno ◽  
James T. Carlton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Role Model ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Marine Ecology ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Ocean Management ◽  
Nearshore Environments ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Scientific Results

AbstractSusan Lynn Williams (1951–2018) was an exceptional marine ecologist whose research focused broadly on the ecology of benthic nearshore environments dominated by seagrasses, seaweeds, and coral reefs. She took an empirical approach founded in techniques of physiological ecology. Susan was committed to applying her research results to ocean management through outreach to decision-makers and resource managers. Susan’s career included research throughout the USA in tropical, temperate, and polar regions, but she specialized in tropical marine ecology. Susan’s scholarship, leadership, and friendship touched many people, leading to this multi-authored paper. Susan’s scholarship was multi-faceted, and she excelled in scientific discovery, integration of scientific results, application of science for conservation, and teaching, especially as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Susan served in a variety of leadership positions throughout her career. She embodied all facets of leadership; leading by example, listening to others, committing to the “long haul,” maintaining trust, and creating a platform for all to shine. Susan was an important role model for women in science. Susan was also a loyal friend, maintaining friendships for many decades. Susan loved cooking and entertaining with friends. This paper provides an overview of the accomplishments of Susan in the broad categories of scholarship, leadership, and friendship.

scholarly journals Enhanced Viral Activity in the Surface Microlayer of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 317
Author(s):  
Dolors Vaqué ◽  
Julia A. Boras ◽  
Jesús Maria Arrieta ◽  
Susana Agustí ◽  
Carlos M. Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Microbial Food Web ◽  
Surface Microlayer ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Viral Activity ◽  
The Impact

The ocean surface microlayer (SML), with physicochemical characteristics different from those of subsurface waters (SSW), results in dense and active viral and microbial communities that may favor virus–host interactions. Conversely, wind speed and/or UV radiation could adversely affect virus infection. Furthermore, in polar regions, organic and inorganic nutrient inputs from melting ice may increase microbial activity in the SML. Since the role of viruses in the microbial food web of the SML is poorly understood in polar oceans, we aimed to study the impact of viruses on prokaryotic communities in the SML and in the SSW in Arctic and Antarctic waters. We hypothesized that a higher viral activity in the SML than in the SSW in both polar systems would be observed. We measured viral and prokaryote abundances, virus-mediated mortality on prokaryotes, heterotrophic and phototrophic nanoflagellate abundance, and environmental factors. In both polar zones, we found small differences in environmental factors between the SML and the SSW. In contrast, despite the adverse effect of wind, viral and prokaryote abundances and virus-mediated mortality on prokaryotes were higher in the SML than in the SSW. As a consequence, the higher carbon flux released by lysed cells in the SML than in the SSW would increase the pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and be rapidly used by other prokaryotes to grow (the viral shunt). Thus, our results suggest that viral activity greatly contributes to the functioning of the microbial food web in the SML, which could influence the biogeochemical cycles of the water column.

Early Holocene ocean conditions off the Zachariæ Isstrøm, Northeast Greenland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Davies ◽  
Anders Møller Mathiasen ◽  
Kristiane Kristensen ◽  
Christof Pearce ◽  
Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Outlet Glacier ◽  
The Impact

<p>The polar regions exhibit some of the most visible signs of climate change globally; annual mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) has quadrupled in recent decades, from 51 ± 65 Gt yr<sup>−1</sup> (1992-2001) to 211 ± 37 Gt yr<sup>−1</sup> (2002-2011). This can partly be attributed to the widespread retreat and speed-up of marine-terminating glaciers. The Zachariae Isstrøm (ZI) is an outlet glacier of the Northeast Greenland Ice Steam (NEGIS), one of the largest ice streams of the GrIS (700km), draining approximately 12% of the ice sheet interior. Observations show that the ZI began accelerating in 2000, resulting in the collapse of the floating ice shelf between 2002 and 2003. By 2014, the ice shelf extended over an area of 52km<sup>2</sup>, a 95% decrease in area since 2002, where it extended over 1040km<sup>2</sup>. Paleo-reconstructions provide an opportunity to extend observational records in order to understand the oceanic and climatic processes governing the position of the grounding zone of marine terminating glaciers and the extent of floating ice shelves. Such datasets are thus necessary if we are to constrain the impact of future climate change projections on the Arctic cryosphere.</p><p>A multi-proxy approach, involving grain size, geochemical, foraminiferal and sedimentary analysis was applied to marine sediment core DA17-NG-ST8-92G, collected offshore of the ZI, on  the Northeast Greenland Shelf. The aim was to reconstruct changes in the extent of the ZI and the palaeoceanographic conditions throughout the Early to Mid Holocene (c.a. 12,500-5,000 cal. yrs. BP). Evidence from the analysis of these datasets indicates that whilst there has been no grounded ice at the site over the last 12,500 years, the ice shelf of the ZI extended as a floating ice shelf over the site between 12,500 and 9,200 cal. yrs. BP, with the grounding line further inland from our study site. This was followed by a retreat in the ice shelf extent during the Holocene Thermal Maximum; this was likely to have been governed, in part, by basal melting driven by Atlantic Water (AW) recirculated from Svalbard or from the Arctic Ocean. Evidence from benthic foraminifera suggest that there was a shift from the dominance of AW to Polar Water at around 7,500 cal. yrs. BP, although the ice shelf did not expand again despite of this cooling of subsurface waters.</p>

scholarly journals Wave measurements on sea ice: developments in instrumentation

2006 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 108-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Doble ◽  
D.J.L. Mercer ◽  
D.T. Meldrum ◽  
O.C. Peppe
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Communications ◽  
Weddell Sea ◽  
Data Recovery ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Constant Attention ◽  
Wave Measurements ◽  
Wire Strain ◽  
Propagation Of Waves ◽  
Communications System

AbstractTraditional methods of measuring the propagation of waves originating from ocean swell and other sources have relied on wire strain gauges, accelerometers or tiltmeters. All methods required constant attention to keep in range, while data recovery has demanded that the instrument site be revisited. In this paper, we describe the use of ultra-sensitive tiltmeters and novel re-zeroing techniques to autonomously gather wave data from both polar regions. A key feature of our deployments has been the use of the Iridium satellite communications system as a way of ensuring continuous data recovery and remote control of the instrumentation. Currently four instruments have been successfully reporting from the Arctic Ocean for over 18 months, with two further units deployed in 2005, one in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, and one additional unit in the Arctic.

scholarly journals Implementation of a simple thermodynamic sea ice scheme, SICE version 1.0-38h1, within the ALADIN–HIRLAM numerical weather prediction system version 38h1

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3347-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yurii Batrak ◽  
Ekaterina Kourzeneva ◽  
Mariken Homleid
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Numerical Weather Prediction ◽  
Mean Absolute Error ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Form Drag ◽  
Numerical Weather ◽  
Ice Surface Temperature

Abstract. Sea ice is an important factor affecting weather regimes, especially in polar regions. A lack of its representation in numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems leads to large errors. For example, in the HARMONIE–AROME model configuration of the ALADIN–HIRLAM NWP system, the mean absolute error in 2 m temperature reaches 1.5 ∘C after 15 forecast hours for Svalbard. A possible reason for this is that the sea ice properties are not reproduced correctly (there is no prognostic sea ice temperature in the model). Here, we develop a new simple sea ice scheme (SICE) and implement it in the ALADIN–HIRLAM NWP system in order to improve the forecast quality in areas influenced by sea ice. The new parameterization is evaluated using HARMONIE–AROME experiments covering the Svalbard and Gulf of Bothnia areas for a selected period in March–April 2013. It is found that using the SICE scheme improves the forecast, decreasing the value of the 2 m temperature mean absolute error on average by 0.5 ∘C in areas that are influenced by sea ice. The new scheme is sensitive to the representation of the form drag. The 10 m wind speed bias increases on average by 0.4 m s−1 when the form drag is not taken into account. Also, the performance of SICE in March–April 2013 and December 2015–December 2016 was studied by comparing modelling results with the sea ice surface temperature products from MODIS and VIIRS. The warm bias (of approximately 5 ∘C) of the new scheme is indicated for areas of thick ice in the Arctic. Impacts of the SICE scheme on the modelling results and possibilities for future improvement of sea ice representation in the ALADIN–HIRLAM NWP system are discussed.

scholarly journals Potentially bioavailable iron delivery by iceberg-hosted sediments and atmospheric dust to the polar oceans

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3887-3900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Raiswell ◽  
Jon R. Hawkings ◽  
Liane G. Benning ◽  
Alex R. Baker ◽  
Ros Death ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Additional Data ◽  
Combustion Products ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Atmospheric Dust ◽  
Dust Transport ◽  
Dust Flux ◽  
Fe Content ◽  
Iron Delivery ◽  
Southern Oceans

Abstract. Iceberg-hosted sediments and atmospheric dust transport potentially bioavailable iron to the Arctic and Southern oceans as ferrihydrite. Ferrihydrite is nanoparticulate and more soluble, as well as potentially more bioavailable, than other iron (oxyhydr)oxide minerals (lepidocrocite, goethite, and hematite). A suite of more than 50 iceberg-hosted sediments contain a mean content of 0.076 wt % Fe as ferrihydrite, which produces iceberg-hosted Fe fluxes ranging from 0.7 to 5.5 and 3.2 to 25 Gmoles yr−1 to the Arctic and Southern oceans respectively. Atmospheric dust (with little or no combustion products) contains a mean ferrihydrite Fe content of 0.038 wt % (corresponding to a fractional solubility of  ∼  1 %) and delivers much smaller Fe fluxes (0.02–0.07 Gmoles yr−1 to the Arctic Ocean and 0.0–0.02 Gmoles yr−1 to the Southern Ocean). New dust flux data show that most atmospheric dust is delivered to sea ice where exposure to melting/re-freezing cycles may enhance fractional solubility, and thus fluxes, by a factor of approximately 2.5. Improved estimates for these particulate sources require additional data for the iceberg losses during fjord transit, the sediment content of icebergs, and samples of atmospheric dust delivered to the polar regions.

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