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92-415: The Arctic region is defined by environmental limits where the average temperature for the warmest month (July) is below 10 °C (50 °F). The northernmost tree line roughly follows the isotherm at the boundary of this region. The climate of the region is known to be intensely cold during the year due to its extreme polar location. The area has tundra , Arctic vegetation , glaciers, and, for most of

184-684: A Russian flag made of rust-proof titanium alloy . The flag-placing, during Arktika 2007 , generated commentary on and concern for a race for control of the Arctic's vast hydrocarbon resources. Foreign ministers and other officials representing Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the United States met in Ilulissat, Greenland on 28 May 2008 at the Arctic Ocean Conference and announced

276-543: A copepod species ( Calanis finmarchicus ) and krill ( Thysanoëssa ). Lake-dwelling Arctic chars feed mostly on insects and zoobenthos. Some giant Arctic chars have been recorded as cannibals of their young as well as dwarf Arctic chars. Spawning occurs over rocky shoals in lakes with heavy wave action and in slower gravel-bottom pools in rivers. As with most salmonids, vast differences in colouration and body shape occur between sexually mature males and females. Males develop hooked jaws known as kypes and take on

368-502: A ring species exists and has been described around the Arctic Circle in the form of the Larus gulls. There are copious natural resources in the Arctic (oil, gas, minerals, fresh water, fish and, if the subarctic is included, forest) to which modern technology and the economic opening up of Russia have given significant new opportunities. The interest of the tourism industry is also on

460-423: A barrier between their pads and toes, and the snow which allows them to walk more easily. Despite almost being frozen, some insects can survive by going into a dormant state and allowing their naturally occurring antifreeze-like compounds to take effect. The most common coping strategy, however, is to migrate seasonally and find a more suitable habitat for the winter, which can commonly be seen in birds. Animals have

552-658: A brilliant red colour. Females remain fairly silver. Males are polygamous in sexual nature each season. They will circumambulate the females by rubbing up against them slightly. As the female lays her eggs, the male fertilizes her, which takes place during the daylight hours. Most males set up and guard territories and often spawn with several females. The female constructs the nest, or redd . A female anadromous char usually deposits from 3000 to 5000 eggs. Arctic char do not die after spawning like Pacific salmon , and often spawn several times throughout their lives, typically every second or third year. Young Arctic char emerge from

644-530: A distinct size dimorphism, dwarf and giant. Dwarf Arctic char weigh between 0.2 and 2.3 kg (7 oz and 5 lb 1 oz) and average a length of 8 cm (3 in), while giant Arctic char weigh between 2.3 and 4.5 kg (5 lb 1 oz and 9 lb 15 oz) and average 40 cm (16 in) in length. Individual fish can weigh 9 kg (20 lb) or more with record-sized fish having been taken by anglers in Northern Canada , where it

736-540: A number of definitions of what area is contained within the Arctic. The area can be defined as north of the Arctic Circle (about 66° 34'N), the approximate southern limit of the midnight sun and the polar night . Another definition of the Arctic, which is popular with ecologists , is the region in the Northern Hemisphere where the average temperature for the warmest month (July) is below 10 °C (50 °F);

828-609: A quarter of Canada's landmass at 1.6 million square kilometres (0.62 million square miles). The human population density is one of the lowest on Earth and sits at 1 person per 100 km. It consists of some of the world's most uninhabitable places yet also is home to extensive herds of caribou . It also contains vast ice fields , mountain glaciers, mountain peaks, shattered rock, ponds, lakes and U-shaped valleys. This region supports approximately 140 species of vascular plants and 600 species of mosses and lichens. There are about 20 species of mammals and 80 bird species. Greenland

920-536: A rapid growth spurt during this phase, reaching its market weight of 1–2.5 kg (2–6 lb) within a year. They are fed dried pellets consisting mainly of fish meal and fish oil from forage fish that are too small and bony for human consumption. Carotenoids are also added, giving Arctic char its characteristic coral colouration. The land-based Arctic char farming systems are among the most environmentally responsible fish farming designs. They remove particulate matter and effluent prior to releasing water from

1012-453: A small window of opportunity to successfully reproduce and birth of their young has to coincide with the abundance of prey otherwise the food chain will be disrupted. Species that have adapted well tend to dominate the food chain. The population of the region is sparse, and its people are thought to be descendants of people who migrated northward from central Asia after the Ice Age. They include

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1104-736: Is July while the coldest month is January. Winters have long dark days without sunlight while summers have days where the sun doesn't set. Parts of the region are covered in ice for most of the year and it can snow during any month of the year and the average annual precipitation is 250 mm (9.8 in). The region has an abundance of wildlife that has adapted to its intense conditions, ranging from large mammals such as polar bears and muskox , to small birds, and various species of plants. Marine life includes walrus , seals , fish and microscopic ocean organisms such as algae and plankton. The many lakes and rivers are home to fish species such as Arctic char and lake trout . Major types of vegetation of

1196-514: Is a large variance in predictions of Arctic sea ice loss, with models showing near-complete to complete loss in September from 2035 to some time around 2067. Arctic life is characterized by adaptation to short growing seasons with long periods of sunlight, and cold, dark, snow-covered winter conditions. Arctic vegetation is composed of plants such as dwarf shrubs , graminoids , herbs , lichens , and mosses , which all grow relatively close to

1288-512: Is a unique area among Earth's ecosystems. The cultures in the region and the Arctic indigenous peoples have adapted to its cold and extreme conditions. Life in the Arctic includes zooplankton and phytoplankton , fish and marine mammals , birds, land animals, plants and human societies. Arctic land is bordered by the subarctic . The word Arctic comes from the Greek word ἀρκτικός ( arktikos ), "near

1380-633: Is about to arrive and ends the cycle. Plants that have adapted to the climate in the region have the ability to grow rapidly in the small timeframe of prime growing conditions in summer due to their ability to conserve water. Plants avoid the harsh wind and chill by growing close to the ground and cluster densely. Other ways that plants have adapted include having a smaller surface area to lessen water evaporation, vertical leaves to aid in receiving more sunlight, waxy leaves to assist in moisture retention, and antifreeze to enable them to continue photosynthesis under freezing conditions. Compared to warmer regions of

1472-651: Is also claiming a large swath of seabed along the Lomonosov Ridge but, unlike Denmark, confined its claim to its side of the Arctic region. In August 2015, Russia made a supplementary submission for the expansion of the external borders of its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean , asserting that the eastern part of the Lomonosov Ridge and the Mendeleyev Ridge are an extension of the Eurasian continent. In August 2016,

1564-432: Is also a concern. Because of the amplified response of the Arctic to global warming, it is often seen as a leading indicator of global warming. The melting of Greenland's ice sheet is linked to polar amplification. The Arctic region is especially vulnerable to the effects of any climate change , as has become apparent with the reduction of sea ice in recent years. Climate models predict much greater climate change in

1656-478: Is also predicted to have a large impact on tundra vegetation, causing an increase of shrubs, and having a negative impact on bryophytes and lichens. Apart from concerns regarding the detrimental effects of warming in the Arctic, some potential opportunities have gained attention. The melting of the ice is making the Northwest Passage , shipping routes through the northernmost latitudes, more navigable, raising

1748-507: Is at risk there from acidification. In other parts of its range, such as the Nordic countries , it is much more common, and is fished extensively. In Siberia , it is known as golets ( Russian : голец ) and it has been introduced in lakes where it sometimes threatens less hardy endemic species, such as the small-mouth char and the long-finned char in Elgygytgyn Lake . The Arctic char

1840-416: Is closely related to both salmon and lake trout , and has many characteristics of both. The fish is highly variable in colour, depending on the time of year and the environmental conditions of the lake where it lives. The appearance of Arctic char differs between populations. The dorsal side of the Arctic char is dark in its colour while the ventral varies from red, yellow, and white. Arctic char has

1932-463: Is considered an alpine region of the North American Arctic. Vegetation that grows in this area is confined to mostly narrow coastal ice-free fringes which constitutes about 14% of the total area. Poor floras occur in the colder coastal areas in the northern parts of the country while rich floras occur in the southwest parts and inland in the south. The North American Arctic consists of some of

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2024-404: Is evidence that shows that diversity of species in the region is strongly correlated to warmer temperatures. Due to permafrost , a short growing season, and dark and long winters of strong winds and extreme cold, the region experiences being almost treeless with only vegetation such as moss and lichen being able to live. Although not many species of plants succeed in surviving in this environment,

2116-568: Is found as far north; it is, for instance, the only fish species in Lake Hazen which extend up to 81°56′N 68°55′W  /  81.933°N 68.917°W  / 81.933; -68.917  ( Lake Hazen (northeast) ) on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic . It is one of the rarest fish species in Great Britain and Ireland , found mainly in deep, cold, glacial lakes , and

2208-443: Is from German Saibling – little salmon. The English name is thought to derive from Old Irish ceara / cera meaning "[blood] red", referring to its pink-red underside. This would also connect with its Welsh name torgoch , "red belly". In North America , three subspecies of Salvelinus alpinus have been recognized. " S. a. erythrinus " is native to almost all of Canada 's northern coast. This subspecies

2300-470: Is known as iqaluk or tariungmiutaq in Inuktitut . Generally, whole market-sized fish are between 1 and 2.5 kg (2 lb 3 oz and 5 lb 8 oz). Male and female Arctic char are the same size. The flesh colour can range from a bright red to a pale pink. The Arctic char was initially scientifically described in the salmon genus Salmo as Salmo alpinus by Carl Linnaeus in

2392-433: Is nearly always anadromous . S. a. oquassa , known as the blueback trout or Sunapee trout, is native to eastern Quebec and northern New England , although it has been extirpated from most of its northeastern United States range. S. a. oquassa is never anadromous. Dwarf Arctic char has been classified as S. a. taranetzi . These scientific names are not generally accepted, however, as

2484-420: Is noted for the evolution of four morphs: small benthic , large benthic, small limnetic and large limnetic. In Svalbard , Norway , Lake Linnévatn on Spitsbergen has dwarf, 'normal', and normal-sized anadromous fish, and Lake Ellasjøen on Bear Island has a dwarf, small littoral and large pelagic morph. In 2004, a previously unknown species closely related to Arctic char were discovered swimming near

2576-707: Is subject to some regulatory control through the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters , adopted by the International Maritime Organization on 1 January 2017 and applies to all ships in Arctic waters over 500 tonnes. Research in the Arctic has long been a collaborative international effort, evidenced by the International Polar Year . The International Arctic Science Committee , hundreds of scientists and specialists of

2668-530: Is thus a key species throughout many lakes in its range. Arctic char often demonstrates crypsis when defending from their predators. It will appear darker in its freshwater environments and lighter in its marine environments. Additionally, some juveniles have highly sensitive recognition of predator odours and respond to chemical cues from different fish predators. The diet of Arctic char varies with season and location. Arctic chars are generally opportunists . There have been more than 30 species found in

2760-591: The Muttaburrasaurus of Australia. However, others claim that dinosaurs lived year-round at very high latitudes, such as near the Colville River , which is now at about 70° N but at the time (70 million years ago) was 10° further north. The earliest inhabitants of North America's central and eastern Arctic are referred to as the Arctic small tool tradition (AST) and existed c.  2500 BCE . AST consisted of several Paleo-Eskimo cultures, including

2852-398: The 1758 edition of Systema Naturae , which is the work that established the system of binomial nomenclature for animals. Meanwhile, he described Salmo salvelinus and Salmo umbla , which were later considered as synonyms of S. alpinus . John Richardson (1836) separated them into a subgenus Salmo ( Salvelinus ) , which now is treated as a full genus . The genus name Salvelinus

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2944-668: The Arctic Council , and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council are more examples of collaborative international Arctic research. While there are several ongoing territorial claims in the Arctic , no country owns the geographic North Pole or the region of the Arctic Ocean surrounding it. The surrounding six Arctic states that border the Arctic Ocean—Canada, Kingdom of Denmark (with Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and

3036-667: The Arctic poppy ). Herbivores on the tundra include the Arctic hare , lemming , muskox , and reindeer (caribou). They are preyed on by the snowy owl , Arctic fox , grizzly bear , and Arctic wolf . The polar bear is also a predator, though it prefers to hunt for marine life from the ice. There are also many birds and marine species endemic to the colder regions. Other terrestrial animals include wolverines , moose , Dall sheep , ermines , and Arctic ground squirrels . Marine mammals include seals , walruses , and several species of cetacean — baleen whales and also narwhals , orcas , and belugas . An excellent and famous example of

3128-605: The Ilulissat Declaration , blocking any "new comprehensive international legal regime to govern the Arctic Ocean," and pledging "the orderly settlement of any possible overlapping claims." As of 2012, the Kingdom of Denmark is claiming the continental shelf based on the Lomonosov Ridge between Greenland and over the North Pole to the northern limit of the exclusive economic zone of Russia . The Russian Federation

3220-603: The Independence cultures and Pre-Dorset culture. The Dorset culture ( Inuktitut : Tuniit or Tunit ) refers to the next inhabitants of central and eastern Arctic. The Dorset culture evolved because of technological and economic changes during the period of 1050–550 BCE. With the exception of the Quebec / Labrador peninsula, the Dorset culture vanished around 1500 CE. Supported by genetic testing , evidence shows that descendants of

3312-517: The Inuit and in the subsistence economy of many circumpolar people . The fisheries are concentrated near communities and are predominately conducted using gill nets . In 2004, it was estimated that the subsistence harvest in the Cambridge Bay area was about 50% the size of the commercial harvest. Research aimed at determining the suitability of Arctic char as a cultured species has been going on since

3404-547: The Inuit , Yupik , Aleut , Athabascans and Iñupiat . After living in the North American Arctic for over thousands of years, they have developed unique traditions in order to adapt to the extreme climate conditions such as hunting animals and fishing during specific times of the year and gathering and preserving plants over the summer in preparation for winter. They constructed tents, clothes, tools and weapons out of animal skin, antlers, teeth, horns and bones. Due to Western culture, native peoples now make up approximately 16% of

3496-568: The Piteälven and Skellefteälven Rivers in the northern part of the country, though are believed to be relatively uncommon. There has been no formal naming of the hybrid between Arctic char and lake trout as few studies have been done in regard to this hybridization. Arctic char can be anadromous, landlocked, or semi-anadromous. Arctic chars found north of 65°N latitude are generally anadromous. Anadromous Arctic chars spend their juvenile years in fresh water, and once mature, migrate annually to

3588-825: The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf began to consider Russia's submission. Canada claims the Northwest Passage as part of its internal waters belonging to Canada, while the United States and most maritime nations regards it as an international strait , which means that foreign vessels have right of transit passage. Since 1937, the larger portion of the Asian-side Arctic region has been extensively explored by Soviet and Russian crewed drifting ice stations . Between 1937 and 1991, 88 international polar crews established and occupied scientific settlements on

3680-541: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development , on 21 June 2012, proposed protecting the Arctic, similar to the Antarctic Treaty System . The initial focus of the campaign will be a UN resolution creating a global sanctuary around the pole, and a ban on oil drilling and unsustainable fishing in the Arctic. The Arctic has climate change rates that are amongst the highest in the world. Due to

3772-430: The drift ice and were carried thousands of kilometres by the ice flow. The Arctic is comparatively clean, although there are certain ecologically difficult localized pollution problems that present a serious threat to people's health living around these pollution sources. Due to the prevailing worldwide sea and air currents, the Arctic area is the fallout region for long-range transport pollutants , and in some places

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3864-435: The greenhouse effect , is the warming that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere prevent heat from escaping. The North American Arctic is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change compared to other regions. Climate change has caused the temperature in the region to rise, extreme weather events, changing wildlife populations and habitats, and sea ice to melt resulting in rising sea levels. In November 2016,

3956-424: The permafrost thaws. The melting of Greenland's ice sheet is linked to polar amplification . Due to the poleward migration of the planet's isotherms (about 56 km (35 mi) per decade during the past 30 years as a consequence of global warming), the Arctic region (as defined by tree line and temperature) is currently shrinking. Perhaps the most alarming result of this is Arctic sea ice shrinkage. There

4048-680: The Arctic than the global average, resulting in significant international attention to the region. In particular, there are concerns that Arctic shrinkage, a consequence of melting glaciers and other ice in Greenland, could soon contribute to a substantial rise in sea levels worldwide. The current Arctic warming is leading to ancient carbon being released from thawing permafrost , leading to methane and carbon dioxide production by micro-organisms. Release of methane and carbon dioxide stored in permafrost could cause abrupt and severe global warming, as they are potent greenhouse gases . Climate change

4140-469: The Bear, northern" and from the word ἄρκτος ( arktos ), meaning bear. The name refers either to the constellation known as Ursa Major , the "Great Bear", which is prominent in the northern portion of the celestial sphere , or to the constellation Ursa Minor , the "Little Bear", which contains the celestial north pole (currently very near Polaris , the current north Pole Star, or North Star). There are

4232-642: The Canadian Arctic, Greenland , Iceland, Scandinavia , Siberia, and Alaska . Anadromous Arctic chars migrate to the sea annually in mid-June to mid-July. After about two months, they return to fresh water to reproduce and overwinter . The main predators of Arctic char include sea otters ( Enhyrda lutris ), polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ), humans ( Homo sapiens ), ferox trout ( Salmo ferox ), and other fish species. Dwarf Arctic char are also often cannibalistically consumed by giant Arctic char. As ferox trout are an apex predator , Arctic char

4324-591: The Dorset culture, known as the Sadlermiut , survived in Aivilik, Southampton and Coats Islands , until the beginning of the 20th century. The Dorset / Thule culture transition dates around the ninth–10th centuries CE. Scientists theorize that there may have been cross-contact of the two cultures with sharing of technology, such as fashioning harpoon heads, or the Thule may have found Dorset remnants and adapted their ways with

4416-470: The Dorset people in "an example of prehistoric genocide." By 1300 CE, the Inuit , present-day Arctic inhabitants and descendants of Thule culture, had settled in west Greenland, and moved into east Greenland over the following century ( Inughuit , Kalaallit and Tunumiit are modern Greenlandic Inuit groups descended from Thule). Over time, the Inuit have migrated throughout the Arctic regions of Eastern Russia,

4508-595: The Earth, fauna species in the North American Arctic are small but populations are large. The animal population can either hibernate if conditions allow it or has to remain active as it is unable to hibernate due to absence of ice-free shelter in the region. This is also the reason why there aren't any reptiles and only a small number of amphibians. Though numbers are depleting, the region is home to other marine life such as different species of whales and seals. The region supports an enormous population of migratory birds that migrate to

4600-607: The Earth, the sun may only appear above the horizon for a couple of hours during winter while appearing for longer during summer. The major lands that make up the North American Arctic from west to east are: Alaska has endless lowlands and plains. On the northern coast of Alaska, there is a 67-day-long period of darkness which begins in mid-November and ends in February. An 84-day-long period of light begins in early May and finishes in July. The Arctic portion in Northern Canada covers around

4692-523: The North , and Saami Council ). The council operates on consensus basis, mostly dealing with environmental treaties and not addressing boundary or resource disputes. Though Arctic policy priorities differ , every Arctic nation is concerned about sovereignty/defense, resource development, shipping routes, and environmental protection. Much work remains on regulatory agreements regarding shipping, tourism, and resource development in Arctic waters. Arctic shipping

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4784-440: The North American Arctic also had to adapt to living conditions. Their population has declined since then, however. Climate change in the Arctic has caused the region to feel the effects of global warming, with sea levels and temperatures rising, and a changing wildlife population. Marine ecosystems are struggling under increasing pressure from changes in sea ice characteristics. The effects of climate change have also impacted

4876-585: The North American Arctic include tundra, polar desert and polar semi-deserts with minor ones being coastal salt marshes and grasslands. Flora must try to grow in a harsh environment that experiences continuous sunlight during the summer, and low temperatures, dry winds, heavy snow and frozen ground and soil throughout the year. Freezing and thawing of soil affects vegetation patterns as it results in formations of patterned ground such as circles, nets and stone stripes. Both plant diversity and species are relatively low in numbers due to lack of nutrient availability. There

4968-422: The United States ( Alaska ), Canada ( Yukon , Northwest Territories , Nunavut ), Danish Realm ( Greenland ), and northern Iceland ( Grímsey and Kolbeinsey ), along with the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and ice cover, with predominantly treeless permafrost under the tundra . Arctic seas contain seasonal sea ice in many places. The Arctic region

5060-744: The United States, Canada, and Greenland. Other Circumpolar North indigenous peoples include the Chukchi , Evenks , Iñupiat , Khanty , Koryaks , Nenets , Sámi , Yukaghir , Gwichʼin , and Yupik . The eight Arctic nations (Canada, Kingdom of Denmark [Greenland & The Faroe Islands], Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and US) are all members of the Arctic Council , as are organizations representing six indigenous populations (The Aleut International Association , Arctic Athabaskan Council , Gwich'in Council International , Inuit Circumpolar Council , Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of

5152-662: The United States—are limited to a 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off their coasts. Two Arctic states (Finland and Sweden) do not have direct access to the Arctic Ocean. Upon ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , a country has ten years to make claims to an extended continental shelf beyond its 200 nautical mile zone. Due to this, Norway (which ratified

5244-399: The atmosphere as a result of increased production by micro-organisms in thawing permafrost. Climate change will significantly impact the plant species by causing an increase of shrubs, which will disrupt the regional vegetation, and a decrease in certain species of flora. It has also caused a decline in survival rates of fauna which will cause a heavy strain on the ecosystem. Climate change in

5336-634: The atmosphere. Arctic The Arctic ( / ˈ ɑːr k t ɪ k / or / ˈ ɑːr t ɪ k / ) (from Greek ἄρκτος, 'bear') is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic region, from the IERS Reference Meridian travelling east, consists of parts of northern Norway ( Nordland , Troms , Finnmark , Svalbard and Jan Mayen ), northernmost Sweden ( Västerbotten , Norrbotten and Lappland ), northern Finland ( North Ostrobothnia , Kainuu and Lappi ), Russia ( Murmansk , Siberia , Nenets Okrug , Novaya Zemlya ),

5428-566: The bottom of Lake Tinn in Norway at a depth of 430 m (1,410 ft); The light-colored, translucent fish is up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long and lacks a swim bladder . In Sweden three morphs are usually recognised: storröding , större fjällröding and mindre fjällröding . Wherever these types occur together in the same lake storröding is the largest. Contrary to what the name may suggest when större fjällröding and mindre fjällröding are found together mindre fjällröding tend to be

5520-512: The bottom of the gravel till they are 15–18 cm (6–7 in) in length. Growth rates of Arctic char vary greatly. Numerous commercial fisheries take place in various river systems throughout the Canadian Arctic , with the majority in Nunavut , such as the areas of Cumberland Sound and Cambridge Bay . There are also exploratory fisheries to examine potential for future commercial char fishing areas. Arctic char fisheries are important for

5612-534: The cold water temperatures present in numerous areas of Canada. It could be an alternate species to rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) , and could provide producers with a different niche in the marketplace. The initial research efforts concentrated on identifying the cultural needs and performance characteristics of the species. The Freshwater Institute was responsible for distributing small numbers of eggs to producers in Canada; these producers in return helped determine

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5704-499: The coldest recorded temperature is approximately −68 °C (−90 °F). Coastal Arctic climates are moderated by oceanic influences, having generally warmer temperatures and heavier snowfalls than the colder and drier interior areas. The Arctic is affected by current global warming , leading to climate change in the Arctic , including Arctic sea ice decline , diminished ice in the Greenland ice sheet , and Arctic methane emissions as

5796-399: The concentrations exceed the levels of densely populated urban areas. An example of this is the phenomenon of Arctic haze , which is commonly blamed on long-range pollutants. Another example is with the bioaccumulation of PCB's ( polychlorinated biphenyls ) in Arctic wildlife and people. There have been many proposals to preserve the Arctic over the years. Most recently a group of stars at

5888-413: The convention in 1996), Russia (ratified in 1997), Canada (ratified in 2003) and the Kingdom of Denmark (ratified in 2004) launched projects to establish claims that certain sectors of the Arctic seabed should belong to their territories. On 2 August 2007, two Russian bathyscaphes , MIR-1 and MIR-2 , for the first time in history descended to the Arctic seabed beneath the North Pole and placed there

5980-502: The daily average temperature was 2.22 °C (36.00 °F) lower than usual and sea ice cover was less than the previous recorded low in November 2012. Ice sheets have been observed to form later, separate earlier, and rapidly decline in age, thickness distribution and regional coverage. The ice in the southern Beaufort Sea separates 7 weeks earlier than it used to during 1964 to 1974. An instance of climate change contributing to ice loss

6072-514: The fish tanks into the environment. Sludge removed from the water is used to fertilize terrestrial crops. Leftovers from fish processing may be incorporated into dog food or delivered to local compost facilities. In 2006, Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program added farmed Arctic char as an environmentally sustainable Best Choice for consumers, stating: "Arctic char use only a moderate amount of marine resources for feed" and that they "are farmed in land-based, closed systems that minimize

6164-493: The following major bodies of water: The North American Arctic's climate is characterized by extremely cold temperatures throughout the year. It also experiences high seasonal fluctuations in daylight, and severe winds due to the Earth's tilt and its polar location. During the year, temperatures can span a widespread range with average lows that reach around −38 °C (−36 °F) in winter to average highs that reach approximately 10 °C (50 °F) in summer. The warmest month

6256-511: The gravel in spring and stay in the river from 5 to 7 months, or until they are about 15–20 cm (6–8 in) in length. Sexual maturity in Arctic char ranges from 4 to 10 years old and 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in length. Time to hatching varies, but usually occurs between two and three months, with the longest have been observed at five months. Arctic char ranges between 40 and 70 mg upon hatching. Hatchlings are immediately independent of parents at hatching, and stay at

6348-429: The ground, forming tundra . An example of a dwarf shrub is the bearberry . As one moves northward, the amount of warmth available for plant growth decreases considerably. In the northernmost areas, plants are at their metabolic limits, and small differences in the total amount of summer warmth make large differences in the amount of energy available for maintenance, growth and reproduction. Colder summer temperatures cause

6440-406: The human population whose way of living and working is facing pressure from the effects as they are finding it challenging to adapt. The North American Arctic geographical region consists of large land masses. A major portion of the region also consists of large bodies of water. This region is a relatively flat topographic part of the Earth. Since the region is located in an extreme northerly part of

6532-424: The increase. The Arctic contains some of the last and most extensive continuous wilderness areas in the world, and its significance in preserving biodiversity and genotypes is considerable. The increasing presence of humans fragments vital habitats. The Arctic is particularly susceptible to the abrasion of groundcover and to the disturbance of the rare breeding grounds of the animals that are characteristic to

6624-835: The lake. Arctic char is the only fish found in the lake, and signs of fish cannibalism have been found. Arctic char is notable for exhibiting numerous, seemingly distinct morphological variants or ' morphs ' throughout the range of the species. Consequently, Arctic char have been referred to as the "most variable vertebrate on Earth". These morphs are often sympatric within lakes or rivers. Morphs often vary significantly in size, shape, and colour. Morphs often demonstrate differences in migratory behaviour, being resident or anadromous fish, and in feeding behaviour and niche placement. Morphs often interbreed, but they can also be reproductively isolated and represent genetically distinct populations, which have been cited as examples of incipient speciation . In Iceland , Þingvallavatn

6716-792: The largest morph. Even within storröding morphs can be found; for example the Sommen charr of Lake Sommen tend to grow faster and reach sexual maturity later than the char from Lake Vättern . Arctic char is known to produce hybrids with its congeners , Salvelinus namaycush (lake trout) and Salvelinus fontinalis (brook trout). The sparctic char is the intrageneric hybrid between Arctic char and brook trout. Sparctic char grows faster than either parent species, are stronger and healthier, and are thus popular for sports fisheries. Some of these hybrids are fertile while others are sterile. Sparctic char have been found locally in Sweden, for example in

6808-583: The late 1970s. The Canadian government's Freshwater Institute of Fisheries and Oceans Canada at Winnipeg , Manitoba, and the Huntsman Marine Science Centre of New Brunswick , pioneered the early efforts in Canada. Arctic char is also farmed in Iceland, Estonia , Norway , Sweden, Finland , West Virginia , and Ireland. Arctic char was first investigated because they expected it to have low optimum temperature requirements and would grow well at

6900-406: The major impacts to the region from climate change the near climate future of the region will be extremely different under all scenarios of warming. The effects of climate change in the Arctic include rising temperatures, loss of sea ice , and melting of the Greenland ice sheet . Potential methane release from the region, especially through the thawing of permafrost and methane clathrates ,

6992-459: The marine environment. The first migration of Arctic char has been found to occur between 4 and 13 years of age. When in the marine environment, Arctic chars inhabit coastal and intertidal areas. They migrate back to frozen lakes at the end of summer. Generally, Arctic char inhabits shallow waters, rarely swimming deeper than 3 m (10 ft) depth. An exception to this applies to landlocked Arctic chars, which often swim much deeper in

7084-597: The names S. a. erythrinus and S. a. taranetzi usually refer to subspecies that are endemic to Siberia only. Arctic char is also found in Lake Pingualuit in the Ungava Peninsula , Quebec , a lake situated in an impact crater formed roughly 1.4 million years ago. Since the last glaciation , changing water levels are believed to have connected the lake with glacial runoff and surrounding streams and rivers, allowing char to swim upstream into

7176-464: The northernmost tree line roughly follows the isotherm at the boundary of this region. The climate of the Arctic region is characterized by cold winters and cool summers. Its precipitation mostly comes in the form of snow and is low, with most of the area receiving less than 50 cm (20 in). High winds often stir up snow, creating the illusion of continuous snowfall. Average winter temperatures can go as low as −40 °C (−40 °F), and

7268-420: The ones that do tend to be small and have a short seasonal life cycle, with the exception of algae which has been observed to have the ability to survive all year round. Even though annual precipitation is extremely low, there are numerous lakes, ponds and wetlands that are able to support relatively lush vegetation. The cycle often begins in spring, with major growth during July before the end of August when winter

7360-408: The population of Alaska and they now live in wooden homes, and purchase clothing and food. Climate change has also affected the traditional way of life, which doesn't exist for most anymore, as melting ice has impacted hunting and fishing. Some communities are under threat from coastal erosion and it has already driven other communities to relocate. Climate change, which is a phenomenon also known as

7452-655: The possibility that the Arctic region will become a prime trade route . One harbinger of the opening navigability of the Arctic took place in the summer of 2016 when the Crystal Serenity successfully navigated the Northwest Passage, a first for a large cruise ship. In addition, it is believed that the Arctic seabed may contain substantial oil fields which may become accessible if the ice covering them melts. These factors have led to recent international debates as to which nations can claim sovereignty or ownership over

7544-510: The predecessor culture. The evidence suggested that Inuit descend from the Birnirk of Siberia, who through the Thule culture expanded into northern Canada and Greenland, where they genetically and culturally completely replaced the Indigenous Dorset people some time after 1300 CE. The question of why the Dorset disappeared so completely has led some to suggest that Thule invaders wiped out

7636-526: The region has attracted worldwide attention and interest in reduction of effects. This is because effects to the North American Arctic has direct consequences on the rest of the world including sea levels rising worldwide. The rising of sea levels is a critical issue as the region plays a role in the ventilation of the Atlantic and Pacific, and due to the impact that melting sea ice has on the acceleration of global warming and increased fluxes of green house gases into

7728-572: The region in the summer for breeding and many large fisheries. Due to ice melting and turning into ponds during summer, the ecosystem also sees insects including moths and mosquitoes. Some animals have adapted to the conditions in the region by conserving heat, with many species covered in heavy fur coats and having thick layers of fat beneath the skin while others have developed compact body shapes. They are characterized as having shorter legs and tails, and smaller ears compared to their relatives. Many species of animals have stiff fur on their feet to create

7820-708: The region. The Arctic also holds 1/5 of the Earth's water supply. During the Cretaceous time period , the Arctic still had seasonal snows, though only a light dusting and not enough to permanently hinder plant growth. Animals such as the Chasmosaurus , Hypacrosaurus , Troodon , and Edmontosaurus may have all migrated north to take advantage of the summer growing season, and migrated south to warmer climes when winter came. A similar situation may also have been found amongst dinosaurs that lived in Antarctic regions, such as

7912-432: The size, abundance, productivity and variety of plants to decrease. Trees cannot grow in the Arctic, but in its warmest parts, shrubs are common and can reach 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height; sedges , mosses and lichens can form thick layers. In the coldest parts of the Arctic, much of the ground is bare; non-vascular plants such as lichens and mosses predominate, along with a few scattered grasses and forbs (like

8004-458: The stomachs of Arctic chars. During late spring and summer, Arctic char feeds on insects found on the water's surface, salmon eggs, snails and other smaller crustaceans found on the lake bottom, and smaller fish up to a third of its size. During the autumn and winter months, it feeds on zooplankton and freshwater shrimps that are suspended in the lake, and also occasionally on smaller fish. The marine diet of Arctic char consists mostly of

8096-420: The suitability of Arctic char in a commercial setting. Commercial Arctic char breeding stocks have now been developed largely from these sources. Arctic char eggs are hatched within specialized hatchery facilities. The young fish remain in the hatchery until they reach about 100 g ( 3 + 1 ⁄ 2  oz), and are then transferred to tanks each capable of holding 5000 fish. Arctic char first exhibits

8188-421: The summer in order to occupy colder waters. Dwarf Arctic chars are more common in landlocked populations as a result of scarce resources (immense competition ). Arctic char exhibits a mostly circumpolar distribution . There is no other species of freshwater fish found at a higher latitude. Arctic char is native to Arctic and subarctic coasts and lakes of high elevations. In general, it has been observed in

8280-516: The waters of the Arctic. Arctic char The Arctic char or Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus ) is a cold-water fish in the family Salmonidae , native to alpine lakes , as well as Arctic and subarctic coastal waters in the Holarctic . It spawns in freshwater and its populations can be lacustrine , riverine , or anadromous , where they return from the ocean to their fresh water birth rivers to spawn. No other freshwater fish

8372-412: The year, is covered in thick blankets of snow and ice. It is home to various species of plants, and land, air and marine animals . Due to the severe weather conditions, the region's flora and fauna has had to adapt to survive. In addition to the extreme climate, permafrost and short growing seasons means that trees are unable to grow. The indigenous peoples who migrated from other lands and settled in

8464-526: Was the 13th most extreme Arctic storm recorded that impacted sea ice in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. In 2012, a cyclone had formed over Siberia and ended in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago during a period where large wave generation, oceanic upwelling, and mechanical forcing affected the ocean and its covering ice sheets. There is also potential for carbon dioxide and methane levels to rise in

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