Tipping Elements in the Arctic Marine Ecosystem
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Material Information

Title:
Tipping Elements in the Arctic Marine Ecosystem
Series Title:
AMBIO
Creator:
Carlos M. Duarte
Susana Agusti
Paul Wassmann
Jesus M. Arrieta
Miquel Alcaraz
Alexandra Coello
Nuria Marba
Iris E. Hendriks
Johnna Holding
Inigo Garcia-Zarandona
Emma Kritzberg
Dolors Vaque
Publisher:
Springer
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Notes

Abstract:
The Arctic marine ecosystem contains multiple elements that present alternative states. The most obvious of which is an Arctic Ocean largely covered by an ice sheet in summer versus one largely devoid of such cover. Ecosystems under pressure typically shift between such alternative states in an abrupt, rather than smooth manner, with the level of forcing required for shifting this status termed threshold or tipping point. Loss of Arctic ice due to anthropogenic climate change is accelerating, with the extent of Arctic sea ice displaying increased variance at present, a leading indicator of the proximity of a possible tipping point. Reduced ice extent is expected, in turn, to trigger a number of additional tipping elements, physical, chemical, and biological, in motion, with potentially large impacts on the Arctic marine ecosystem.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
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Aggregations:
Sea Level Rise