According to “The State of the Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity Report,” released by the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna program at the May 7 at the Arctic Council ministerial in Rovaniemi, Finland, the range of species across the area is heading toward a period of dramatic changes including replacement of many fresh water fish by other species venturing in from southern waters. The report urges decision makers related to management of the Arctic fishery habitat to prepare effectively for an uncertain future.
Although in some cases, as Arctic lakes, rivers and wetlands warm [Across the Arctic, lake ice is melting out earlier in the spring], they could experience an increase in species, this shift is expected to come with a reduction in the habitat range of cold-tolerant species usually found in the Arctic, the report said. [High Arctic Char are in a losing battle with climate change]. This will ultimately result in “a net loss of unique Arctic-specific biodiversity,” the report said.
According to the report, some of these changes may induce “sudden biological shifts with strong repercussions.” Non-climate stressors such as long-range transboundary air pollutants and those originating from industrial development and urbanization, fisheries over-harvesting, dams and other forms of development can exacerbate climate related temperature by leading to “substantial habitat fragmentation and destruction.”
The report, among other actions, recommends engaging local communities in monitoring efforts through “citizen science” efforts. The Arctic Council report was released on the heals of ominous warnings by the United Nations human actions threaten more species globally.