NRC Research Press: Arctic Science: Table of Contents Table of Contents for Arctic Science. List of articles from both the latest and ahead of print issues.
- Occurrence of the invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Walbaum 1792) in Greenland 2020 and 2021 as revealed using citizen science, snorkeling, and environmental DNA metabarcoding of fishes in the Kapisillit Riverpor Julius Nielsen el julio 17, 2024 a las 7:00 am
Arctic Science, Ahead of Print. <br/> The occurrence of the invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Walbaum 1792) in Greenland was initially described in 2019 using social media to collect data on their presence. In this study we continue data collection through social media and initiate a monitoring program of the Kapisillit River in Southwest Greenland using snorkeling and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding in 2020 and 2021. The Kapisillit River is the only freshwater system in Greenland, where the red-listed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, Linnaeus 1758) is known to spawn. This genetically unique population of Atlantic salmon has been found to decline, wherefore there is general conservation concern that the occurrence of pink salmon at some point can become an additional stressor to the “Kapisillit salmon”. In 2021, pink salmon were present near all larger populated areas in Greenland and likely more abundant than in 2019. From visual observations and using eDNA, the presence of pink salmon was documented in the Kapisillit River in 2021. From the number of individuals observed combined with the spatial distribution of eDNA detections in the river, we suggest that the pink salmon invasion in the Kapisillit River is at an early stage.
- Seasonal and diurnal marine mammal presence in the proposed marine protected area of Southampton Island, Hudson Bay, Nunavut as revealed by passive acoustic monitoringpor Veronica Laura Maria Coppolaro el mayo 10, 2024 a las 7:00 am
Arctic Science, Ahead of Print. <br/> Marine protected areas contribute to mitigating the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems. The waters of Southampton Island, Nunavut, Canada are under consideration to become a marine protected area, but baseline information of marine mammal presence and habitat use is lacking. This study represents the first passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammals in this area, with data collected in 2018 and 2019. Bioacoustics analyses and generalized linear models were used to investigate species seasonal and temporal vocalization trends; infer behavior and habitat use from vocal cues; and explore vocal activity correlation with sea ice. Over a diel period, bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben, 1777)) and walruses (Odobenus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758)) were found to increase their vocal activity at night, whereas belugas (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) mainly vocalized during daytime. Seasonally, bearded seals were recorded only during their breeding season at sea ice break-up, while walruses vocalized consistently throughout the open-water period outside their breeding season. Beluga vocal trends suggest their use of the area as a migratory corridor during sea ice break-up and freeze-up. Finally, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758) were recorded later than expected, concurrently with the onset of their mating vocal displays during the fall migration at sea ice freeze-up.
- Remote sensing of biogeophysical variables at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory, Melville Island, Nunavut, Canadapor P.M. Treitz el mayo 8, 2024 a las 7:00 am
Arctic Science, Volume 10, Issue 2, Page 281-304, June 2024. <br/> The Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory (CBAWO), Melville Island, Nunavut (74°55′N, 109°34′W) was established in 2003 to examine Arctic ecosystem processes that would be impacted by climate warming and permafrost degradation. This paper provides a synthesis of how remote sensing has contributed to biogeophysical modelling and monitoring at the CBAWO from 2003 to 2023. Given the location and isolated nature of the CBAWO in the Canadian High Arctic, remote sensing data and derivatives have been instrumental for studies examining ecosystem structure and function at local and landscape scales. In combination with field measurements, remote sensing data facilitated mapping and modelling of vegetation types, % vegetation cover and aboveground phytomass, soil moisture, carbon exchange rates, and permafrost degradation and disturbance. It has been demonstrated that even in an environment with limited vegetation cover and phytomass, spectral vegetation indices (e.g., the normalized difference vegetation index) are able to model various biogeophysical variables. These applications are feasible for research sites such as the CBAWO using high spatial resolution remote sensing data across the visible, infrared, and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Furthermore, as the satellite record continues to expand, we will gain a greater understanding of the impacts arising from the expected continued warming at northern latitudes. Although the logistics for research in the Arctic remain challenging, today's technologies (e.g., high spatial resolution satellite remote sensing, automated in situ sensors and data loggers, and wireless communication systems) can support a host of scientific endeavours in the Arctic (and other remote sites) through modelling and monitoring of biogeophysical variables and Earth surface processes with limited but critical field campaigns. The research synthesized here for the CBAWO highlights the essential role of remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic.
- Sea ice influence on male polar bear survival in Hudson Baypor David McGeachy el abril 19, 2024 a las 7:00 am
Arctic Science, Ahead of Print. <br/> Environmental variability and seasonality of resources influence species distribution and demographic parameters such as survival. We quantified the spatiotemporal dynamics of sea ice that remains in Hudson Bay during break-up (remnant ice) and assessed relationships with apparent survival for three age classes of male polar bears (Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774): subadult (1–4 years), prime age (5–19 years), and senescent (≥20 years) captured in Western Hudson Bay in 1980–2019. Remnant ice distribution varied annually, and we identified ice-related covariates that were correlated with detection probabilities and male apparent survival. Apparent survival declined by 10% for prime age males during the earliest retreat dates within Hudson Bay. Apparent survival for senescent bears declined during earlier sea ice retreat within western Hudson Bay. Subadult apparent survival was time constant and not significantly influenced by sea ice; however, detection probability was higher when remnant ice occurred in the west compared to the eastern half of Hudson Bay. Our results suggest that spatiotemporal sea dynamics at varying spatial scales affected males based on age class, had important impacts on estimating apparent survival, and has implications for assessing population status.
- Effects of short- and long-term experimental warming on plant–pollinator interactions and floral rewards in the Low Arcticpor Roxaneh S. Khorsand el marzo 22, 2024 a las 7:00 am
Arctic Science, Ahead of Print. <br/> Plant phenological and growth responses to experimental warming are widely documented, but less is known about warming effects on plant–pollinator interactions. We investigated the effects of short- and long-term passive warming on flowering phenology, insect visitation, fruit production, and floral rewards in the Low Arctic in northern Alaska. To better understand the role of insect visitors in plant reproductive success, we quantified pollen loads on floral visitors and tested for pollen limitation in four species. Long-term warming advanced flowering onset in evergreen shrubs and forbs. Warming, in general, increased the duration of flowering for forbs, evergreen shrubs, and deciduous shrubs. Considering all growth forms together, long-term warming increased floral density. This pattern was primarily driven by deciduous and evergreen shrubs. Dipterans accounted for more visits than Hymenopterans, although Hymenopterans had higher pollen loads. Insect exclusion and warming decreased fruit set in the forb, Bistorta officinalis Delarbre. Nectar volume in the deciduous shrub, Vaccinium uliginosum, was higher in the warmed plots than the control, but nectar quality did not differ. Advanced flowering onset, longer flowering duration, and increased flower density and nectar volume may have important implications for the pollinator community, warranting further research on long-term warming effects on tundra ecosystems.