North Slope Sea Ice
Overview
Sea ice in the Arctic is essential for healthy northern communities and ecosystems; algae grow on the underside of sea ice and some mammals have evolved to live amongst the ice. Arctic sea ice is changing; these changes are particularly visible in autumn. Thick multiyear ice has decreased dramatically delaying when new ice reaches the coast. In addition, Arctic oceans are experiencing increased primary productivity as temperatures increase, altering the fundamental structure of Arctic ecosystems. Life in the Arctic is closely tied to the condition of sea ice and changes may shift the inherent balance and functioning of the system. Thus, adapting the lifeways of Arctic communities is a priority.
Sea Ice vs. Open Water
Sea ice plays a crucial role in regulating temperatures in Arctic environments, with increased open water contributing to accelerated warming in the Arctic. As solar heating decreases in the fall and early winter, open water acts like a heating pad, transferring heat into the atmosphere. In contrast, ice insulates the water below, reducing heat transfer and allowing air temperatures to drop below freezing. Additionally, changes in the amount of open water affect migration patterns of larger marine mammals, such as walruses, and the northward movement of species like orcas. On the coast, the absence of sea ice leaves shorelines vulnerable to erosion and coastal flooding during autumn storms. The graphic below shows sea ice extent on the North Slope on October 31st 1988 (left) and 2019 (right).
Bowhead Whales and Changing Ice
Since time immemorial, peoples in the region have lived and thrived through a complex relationship with whales. However, Indigenous ways of knowing and close relationships with marine mammals have not always been honored. In the 1970s the International Whaling Commission banned subsistence whale hunting over concerns of dwindling populations without taking into consideration Indigenous knowledge on the health of the populations.
Whaling is a crucial subsistence activity for communities living along the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Eleven communities are a part of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) and hunt for bowhead whales during seasonal migration. These communities are: Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, Utqiaġvik Wainwright, Point Lay, Point Hope, Kivalina, Wales, Little Diomede, Gambell and Savoonga.
Today, communities have to prepare and adapt to changing ice conditions. In the fall, bowhead whales migrate in search of food. They often follow the ice edge and are influenced by ocean upwelling and winds. With fall ice and whale migration further offshore, seasonal subsistence hunts are impacted. Hunters must navigate over larger stretches of open water which can require larger boats with increased fuel costs to navigate safely. Additionally, fall hunts occur later in the season under a compressed timeline when daylight is decreasing. Livelihoods, food security, and connection to culture and land are in flux due to changing ice conditions.
Arctic Soundscape
Sea ice acts as an important modulator of sound in the Arctic. Ice shields noise associated with wind and waves. Vessel traffic which is expected to increase with ice loss, contributes to noise. Increased noise can also impact Arctic marine mammals that use sound waves to communicate. Whales may not be able to communicate as far, have difficulty navigating and react strongly to ship noise.