در مقاله ای که اخیرا در مجله "Science" منتشر شده است تغییرات سریع در اکوسیستم قطب شمال مورد توجه قرار گرفته است. در این مقاله آمده است که اکوسیستم این منطقه در طی بیست سال گذشته به شدت تغییر کرده است و در بسیاری از مناطق این تغییرات در زمینه هایی رخ داده است که مرتبط با زندگی ساکنان منطقه مانند تامین غذا، تامین منابع طبیعی و پوشش زمین بوده است. اصل مقاله

The rapid recent climate change in the Arctic has “severely perturbed” Arctic ecosystems and the trophic relationships that structure them, according to a paper published 11 September in the journal Science by an international team of 25 scientists. They wrote to take stock of the region at the close of the Fourth International Polar Year.

Results of studies noted in the paper indicate that the Arctic ecosystem has experienced immense changes in the last twenty years. At many levels, the changes impact the ecosystem services that the environment provides for people; the effects extend to the adequacy of natural resources, food production, climate temperature, and result in changes to the landscape.

The results show that spring begins considerably sooner than before. The blossoming and pollination period of plants starts as much as twenty days sooner in comparison to the situation ten years ago. Predators are in trouble because nutrition is now available too soon in relation to the otherwise favorable nesting period. The distribution of many insects has moved further north. European winter moths, for example, have destroyed extensive birch areas in Lapland after moving north. Species invading new areas might supersede the original species in the area—this is already happening to Arctic foxes, which are currently being overrun by red foxes. continue...