The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of March 23, 2020

The Positive Effects of Trampling the Ground

On March 17, a group of scientists from Germany, Sweden and Russia released a new report in Scientific Reports that showed that large herbivores like wild horses, reindeer, bison and musk oxen can be used to protect Arctic permafrost soils. Animals like these trample the ground and the snow that’s on top of it, reducing the insulating effect of permafrost. This can in turn reduce warming and prevent further thawing. In total 80% of the permafrost soils can be saved until 2100 with such animal intervention. The calculation was based on observational data and computer model simulations in the areas of Siberia and Sweden (Newsweek, Scientific Reports).

Take 1: These findings are of real interest as many scientists the last couple years have voiced their concern about the escalation of permafrost thawing. Currently there is more carbon stored in permafrost soils than in the atmosphere (1,400 gigatons vs. 850 gigatons), and the fear is that a major proportion of this permafrost will thaw and carbon will be released to the air, having drastic effects not only on the Arctic region but the whole world in general. It will be interesting to see if ecosystem management practices like the one in this study will gain momentum and become an additional climate change mitigation strategy used in the future.

The Max No Longer Enough

On March 24, the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado Boulder reported that the Arctic sea ice had likely reached its maximum extent for the year at 15.05 million square kilometers, 590,000 square kilometers below the 1981 to 2010 average. This maximum ice extent was recorded on March 5 and is the eleventh lowest in the 42-year satellite record (NSIDC).

Take 2: While the current reading might not seem as bad as it could have been, we can’t forget to look at the overall downward trend that shows that all of the “lowest maximum Arctic sea ice extents” since 1979 have occurred after 2005, primarily after 2010. This is worrisome as it keeps reminding us about how the Arctic sea ice is disappearing before our eyes. If we don’t do more to limit human-caused climate change now, we will have to buckle up for the disastrous effects that can follow with melting Arctic sea ice.

The Microplastic Invasion Continues

In a press release on March 24 it was reported that Russian scientists from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet) have found microplastics in the Russian part of the Barents Sea. The number of particles per square kilometer was about 1,000,000 near Novaya Zemlya compared to 1,300,000 particles per square kilometer in the subtropical areas of the World Ocean where gyres form entire microplastic islands (Arctic.ru).

Take 3: The new reported findings support earlier research findings that already show that the northernmost and easternmost areas of the Greenland and Barents seas are the most heavily polluted with plastic. While more research is of course needed, it is suggested that plastic can originate from distant sources, and for example be carried to the Arctic through atmospheric transportation and ocean currents. The fact that the concentrations in the Barents Sea are comparable to some of the most polluted places on earth is alarming. Some of the implications of microplastic are not fully known, but it is no secret that plastic doesn’t go away and for sure has dangerous effects on animals and the ecosystems they depend on (BBC, Science Advances, The Guardian).

Growing Educational Opportunities in the Arctic

On March 26, the Governor of the Murmansk Region in Russia, Andrey Chibis announced that Murmansk universities and the regional Ministry of Education and Science are developing a strategy that will train professionals for Arctic projects. Training specifics and the necessary financing will be worked out by the end of April, and the goal is to give young people the opportunity to receive quality education, in addition to attract students to the Murmansk region. In total large projects underway in the Arctic can generate 20,000 jobs (Arctic.ru).

Take 4: By creating opportunities for young people in the Arctic, Russia clearly shows its future generations where its priorities lie. Investment in the youth can help ensure that they continue to stay on board with the country’s vision for more activity and presence in the region. It also benefits the country’s development in the north as young people are able to bring new and creative ideas, skills and solutions to the table.

A New Russian Quarterly Publication

On March 24 it was reported that the Expert Council of the Project Office for the Development of Arctic in Russia had released the first issue of its quarterly publication “Arctic 2035 – Current issues, problems, solutions.” The purpose of the magazine is to “convey knowledge about the Arctic to the representatives of government, business and the General public.” (kxan36news).

Take 5: The release of such a magazine in Russia comes as no surprise to us. It is just one of Russia’s many other recent activities and efforts in its push for stronger presence and more development in the region. Publishing the magazine so frequently will ensure that Russian government officials and businesses always have the opportunity to be up to speed on Arctic developments. This can be an advantage to Russia, but perhaps a disadvantage for other Arctic nations if they don’t equally value the need for accumulating and presenting up to date information.