Session 1. The changing biogeochemistry of the Arctic Ocean
In addition to the physical changes, there is the less investigated consequence of the marine chemical systems and biogeochemical drivers of chemical change such as the ocean acidification, changes in nutrients stoichiometry, calcification, redox processes that exert bioavailability of micronutrients, heavy metal dynamics and toxicity, methane production/consumption etc. This session welcomes contributions targeting increased knowledge on this little explored topic of chemical change and its effects on biogeochemical processes and the potential effects on the marine ecosystem. Observational studies, results from laboratory experiments and modelling including basin scale chemical distribution to chemical speciation models to explore potential effects of changing chemistry on the Arctic marine ecosystem are encouraged to participate.
Convener: Melissa Chierici
Co-chairs: Agneta Fransson
Kumiko Azetsu-Scott
Naomi Harada
Session 2. Plankton and Food-Web Dynamics in relation to Biogeochemical Processes in the Arctic
The Arctic is warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world. Due to this unusual warming, the Arctic ecosystem dynamics are experiencing rapid changes, which might even be accelerated in the coming years thereby affecting the biota thriving in this polar oceanic environment. Phytoplankton are the base of the marine food web and play a significant role in controlling the energy transfer and trophic structure in the oceanic ecosystem. At this critical time of global warming, understanding the role of plankton in Arctic food webs in relation to the oceanic biogeochemical processes would provide insights into how plankton dynamics are influenced by environmental changes and how shifts in plankton populations could affect nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration in the Arctic. This session will explore the intricate relationships between plankton (both phytoplankton and zooplankton) composition and productivity, and the Arctic food web, focusing on their pivotal roles in biogeochemical cycles. The session aims to discuss how these organisms influence nutrient cycles, carbon sequestration through biological pump (role of plankton in carbon export to deep waters), and energy transfer, and how climate change may alter or shift these dynamics in the Arctic marine ecosystems including fjords. This session also aims to discuss the identification of knowledge gaps and priorities for future research on Arctic plankton and biogeochemistry.
Convener: Sarat Chandra Tripathy
Session 3. Pan-Arctic Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO): Detecting Changes in Marine Environments and Ecosystems across the Arctic
The Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) is a collaborative network of standardized biological and oceanographic observations conducted by multiple institutions and countries across key Arctic regions experiencing rapid environmental and ecosystem changes. Originally focused on the Pacific Arctic sector, the DBO is now expanding to encompass the entire Arctic.
This session will bring together researchers and stakeholders engaged in DBO efforts, with a focus on pan-Arctic integration and the value of long-term datasets for detecting shifts in ecosystem structure, function, and oceanographic conditions. We invite contributions that present findings from ongoing DBO monitoring efforts and related national/international projects tracking physical, chemical, and biological responses to climate change; discuss advancements in technologies, methodologies, and data integration for pan-Arctic observation; and explore the use of DBO data for marine conservation, resource management, and policy development, including input from policymakers and indigenous community members.
Convener: Kumiko Azetsu-Scott
Co-chairs: Shigeto Nishino
Anna Nikolopoulos
Franz Mueter
Session 4. Spatiotemporal variability of biodiversity in the Subarctic and Arctic
In the Subarctic and Arctic regions, unique marine ecosystems are composed of several endemic species with strong seasonal succession. Over past decades, the Subarctic and Arctic region has experienced unprecedented environmental changes: sea ice reduction, warming, freshening, and changes in nutrient distribution, for example. These changes have had and will have profound direct or indirect impacts on the distribution, phenology, and species composition of marine biota from the lower trophic level such as phytoplankton to the top predators such as marine birds and mammals. In this session we welcome submissions on all marine biota-related topics, including but not limited to a comparison of key species or functional groups and the maintenance of biodiversity and ecological processes (e.g. trophodynamics, biogeochemical cycle) in the regional and circumpolar scale of Subarctic and Arctic regions, examining the short-term or time-series response and resilience of marine ecosystem to climate and environmental changes. Particularly, topics related biodiversity on genetic, species and ecosystem scales are welcome.
Convener: Hiromichi Ueno
Co-chairs: Kohei Matsuno
Jee-Hoon Kim
Session 5. Biogeochemical and Biological studies in the Subarctic North Pacific and its marginal seas under the climate change
The subarctic North Pacific including the Okhotsk Sea and Bering Sea is a productive and high biological pump area in the world supported by nutrient-rich conditions. Long-term monitoring, discrete cruise, and satellite observations have been tackled to find hidden biogeochemical and biological processes and mechanisms under rapid climate changes.
This session will bring together researchers from different fields on the value of long-term observation datasets and model simulation for detecting shifts in ecosystem structure, function, and oceanographic conditions in the Subarctic North Pacific. We invite contributions that present findings from ongoing observations, model simulation efforts, and related national/international projects tracking physical, chemical, and biological responses to multi-stressors; discuss advancements in technologies, methodologies, and data integration; and explore using observation data for nature positive, resource management, and policy development, including input from policymakers and indigenous community members.
Convener: Naomi Harada
Co-chairs: Maki Aita-Noguchi
Toru Hirawake
Takafumi Hirata
Session 6. Animal Biotelemetry and Biologging in the Changing Polar Environments
Polar marine animals serve as key indicators of ecosystem health, offering critical insights into how climate change is impacting these fragile environments. By tracking their movements, behaviors, and physiological responses, we gain a deeper understanding of their responses and/or adaptations to rapidly changing conditions. The use of biotelemetry and biologging technologies has expanded in polar research, enabling remote data collection in harsh, cold environments. However, these extreme conditions also pose unique challenges that limit the full potential of these tools. This session invites presentations from researchers working across various trophic levels of polar and sub-polar marine species. The goal is to share experiences, discuss solutions to technological challenges, and explore new approaches for enhancing the effectiveness of biotelemetry and biologging in polar ecosystems. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, we aim to advance our collective understanding of polar animal ecology and improve our ability to monitor the effects of environmental change.
Convener: Guðbjörg Ásta Ólafsdóttir
Co-chairs: Akinori Takahashi
David Cote
Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
Session 7. Increased harp seal ecosystem impact after the cod collapse in Newfoundland & Labrador
The global increase in pinniped populations due to conservation efforts has led to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts with fisheries. These include damage to fishing gear, reduced fishing success and competition for resources such as commercial fish species. In the Northwest Atlantic, the growing population of harp seals (several million) is raising concerns about their impact on species such as cod, an already vulnerable stock. While some studies suggest that seals may be affecting the recovery of cod, particularly in areas such as the Gulf of St Lawrence, there is still considerable uncertainty about the wider impact on the ecosystem.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, an arcto-boreal region that has experienced major ecosystem disturbances since the collapse of cod and capelin in the 1990s, the role of harp seals remains controversial. To address this complexity, an ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) approach using models such as Ecopath with Ecosim will estimate the impact of harp seals in different ecosystem states – before the collapse (1985′), after the collapse with increased invertebrates (2013′), and today (2020′) with the return of groundfish. By simulating different population scenarios, we aim to understand the long-term ecosystem impacts of harp seals on both commercial and non-commercial species, particularly in an uncertain future.
Convener: Vajas Pablo
Session 8. The effects of marine industry on marine carbon in arctic and subarctic regions
This session will explore the effects of marine industry (e.g. catch fisheries, aquaculture, and renewable energy) on marine carbon in arctic and subarctic/northern temperate regions. This includes but is not limited to studies on the effects of marine industries on direct CO2 emissions, the oceanic biological carbon pump (e.g. possible effects of mesopelagic fishing) and benthic carbon storage and remineralisation (e.g. the effects of benthic disturbance to biogenic habitats and sediment in relation to organic carbon sequestration). The session will also discuss how this knowledge can be used to advise industry and regulators on adaptations to promote carbon storage and limit direct and indirect CO2 emissions (e.g. fishing gear design, blue carbon in low trophic aquiculture).
Convener: Sam Rastrick
Co-chairs: Zengjie Jiang
Natsuki Hasegawa
Session 9. The Future of Marine Ecosystem Research: Forecasts, Projections, Scenarios, and Foresights
Expectations about the future drive our actions and shape advice and management of most human activities. But what will the future of Arctic and subarctic seas look like? Are we looking at one future (the most likely future), or are we interested in multiple future possibilities? How do we study something that doesn’t even exist yet? This session will bring together researchers working on ecological forecasts, projections, scenarios, and foresight in the marine Arctic and subarctic regions. It will showcase current research on the future of marine ecosystems, existing projections, emerging research, methodologies designed to study the future, and key challenges ahead. It will also address how interdisciplinary research focused on the future, from days to centuries, can inform policy, conservation efforts, and sustainable ocean management.
Main topics are latest forecasts, climate projections, and model ensemble efforts in marine ecosystem research; ecological forecasts and projections, from lower trophic levels to top predators; scenario planning for climate change impacts on marine ecosystems; advances in marine heatwave scenario building; and strategies for sustainable management and policy development for marine resources use.
Convener: Beatriz Dias
Co-chair: Benjamin Planque
Session 10. Knowledge coproduction and citizen science for climate change responsiveness: Case studies from Arctic and sub-arctic communities
Extreme and rapid climate change in the Arctic and sub-arctic have heavily impacted ecosystems and communities. Synthesis of multiple ways of knowing and their local application will be crucial to address and respond to the outcomes of climate changes, such as natural disasters, biodiversity losses and shortage of food and resources. In this session, various types of citizen- and community-based science taking place in the Arctic and sub-Arctic will be featured, with a focus on place-based and locally relevant approaches. Presenters will share examples of collaborative research that weaves scientific expertise with local and Traditional Knowledge to address community priorities and resource management concerns.
Convener: Yuki Minegishi
Co-chairs: Anne Beaudreau
Megan Bailey
Session 11. “What’s Your Story?” Communicating Polar Ecosystem Science
As working scientists and project managers, we all know why we need to communicate the science, but the how is often a stumbling block. In this session, we welcome presenters to share insights on best practices in science communication, as well as valuable lessons learned from approaches that were less successful. We will discuss science communication strategies and opportunities using traditional and new media platforms. We will also present examples of communicating polar ecosystem science to local communities and discuss how to make the work relevant to diverse audiences. We aim to discuss how effective science communication can enhance and promote community-centered polar ecosystem research.
This session will be composed of shorter presentations and a more in-depth panel discussion, as well as opportunities for audience members to ask questions. Throughout this session, we will build a science communication resource library as a product that attendees can use to get started on (or continue) their polar science communication journeys.
Convener: Kate Ortenzi
Co-chairs: Zachary MacMillan-Kenny
Myrah Graham
Session 12. Historical ecology of the North Pacific: perspectives from archaeology and history
This session aims to share results from archaeological and historical studies on the relationship between the marine environment and humans of the past. We discuss how archaeological records, including isotope and ancient DNA evidence of archaeofaunal remains, and historical documents can contribute to a better understanding of spatio-temporal change in the North Pacific and human responses to it. The viewpoint in historical ecology has not yet played an essential role in the archaeology and history in the Western North Pacific Rim because these academic fields in East Asia still focus mainly on human history. This session is expected to increase the significance of the historical ecological perspective in archaeology and history across the North Pacific.
Convener: Katsunori Takase
Co-chair: Iain McKechnie
Session 13. Dynamics of Fish and Shellfish in High-Latitude Ecosystems: Impacts of Climate Change and Borealization
This session addresses the complex dynamics of fish and invertebrate populations within rapidly changing Subarctic and Arctic ecosystems. As climate change accelerates, these high-latitude environments are experiencing borealization—the northward shift of species and ecosystems—which profoundly affects biological interactions and community structures. We will explore how alterations in spawning phenology, life history traits (e.g. growth and maturity), predator-prey relationships, and spatial distributions are reshaping these ecosystems, and the implications for fisheries management. We invite contributions that utilize field studies, laboratory studies, modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches to enhance our understanding of these phenomena. By bringing together experts in marine biology, ecology, stock assessment and climate science, this session aims to foster discussions on the ecological consequences of climate-induced changes and the strategies needed to manage and conserve high-latitude ecosystems effectively.
Convener: Franz Mueter
Co-chairs: Caroline Bouchard
Irene D. Alabia
Jacob Kasper
Workshop. Analogues of an Arctic in Rapid Transition – 5th international workshop: Using natural analogues to scale the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic drivers from individuals to ecosystem function and services.
Northern oceans are in a state of rapid transition and experiencing one of the most rapid shifts in biogeographic boundaries on the planet. However, knowledge on the likely effects of climate change and other anthropogenic drivers on these ecosystems is inadequate. Based mainly on limited oceanographic observations, and rapid perturbation experiments on isolated elements of the ecosystem that focus on a limited number of drivers. It is difficult to extrapolate from such studies to larger scales, as these are generally too short-term to reveal how organisms may adapt/acclimatise and use organisms that are separated from their natural environment. In tropical and temperate ecosystems, and increasingly in the arctic and subarctic, natural analogues are being used to further our knowledge on the sensitivity of biological systems to anthropogenic drivers. Providing the means to scale-up from single-species responses to community and ecosystem level responses.
The aim of the workshop is to:
1. Discuss recent advances in research using natural analogues, including multi-driver approaches.
2. Discuss using natural analogues to scale from molecular and physiological responses to ecosystem function and services.
3. Discuss the development of new methods in monitoring chemical oceanography, physiology, ecology, and statistics that will help increase the spatial and temporal resolution of data within natural analogues studies.
4. Continue to develop best practice recommendations and method standardisation for future natural analogue studies.
Convener: Sam Rastrick
Co-chair: Ben Harvey
