Multi-stressors in the Arctic Marine Ecosystem
The Arctic Ocean and its adjacent seas and coasts are currently undergoing unprecedented changes reflected in summer sea ice decline, warming, increased Atlantic water heat transport, freshening, retreat of glaciers, and ocean acidification. These changes are affecting the chemical and physical environment such as stratification, nutrient availability, air-sea gas exchange and light conditions. Consequently, these changes will impact the primary and secondary production and subsequently the whole marine ecosystem.
The 1st FRAM Science Days, taking place the 10-11th November 2015 in Tromsø, northern Norway, focus on the theme “Multi-stressors in the Arctic Marine Ecosystem”, and presents some of the research that have been performed during the first four years in the Fram Centre flagships programs.
Invited keynote speakers will introduce and describe several aspects of the occurring changes in the biogeochemical processes and the marine ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean, and in the transition zones such as the Barents Sea and high north coastal systems.
The conference includes sessions to encourage and stimulate discussions. Topics will include effect and trends in ocean acidification, potential changes in the advection of water masses, increased freshening and glacial melt water input, air-sea CO2 interaction, warming, changing sea ice, land- ocean interaction and impacts on the marine ecosystems in a changing climate.
Some research questions to be addressed in the talks and posters:
- What are the major changes in the Arctic Ocean with consequence for the marine ecosystem?
- Is the Arctic freshening? And what are the consequences of a fresher Arctic Ocean on the ecosystem?
- Will the vanishing summer sea ice cover have consequences for the ecosystem?
- Are there likely changes on the primary and secondary production?
- How will fish and higher trophic levels respond to multiple environmental stressors?
Adaptation? - Do we have evidence for northward mass migration of benthos, fish, mammals, birds?
Registration: There is no registration fee for this event. All meals and social events are sponsored by the Fram Centre. The conference is limited to 200 participants and registration is necessary.
Deadlines: Registration, abstract deadline and applications for Young Scientist FRAM travel grant is the 10th of October in 2015 on the following link: http://mform.imr.no/view.php?id=42242
Conference chairs and organizers:
Melissa Chierici (IMR and Fram Centre, Flagship leader “Ocean Acidification”)
Lis Jørgensen (IMR and Fram Centre, Flagship leader “Coast and Fjord”)
Laura de Steur (NPI and Fram Centre, “The Arctic Ocean”)
Jo Aarseth (Fram Centre, Flagship coordinator)
Helge Markusson (Fram Centre, outreach coordinator)