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1. The Distributed Biological Observatory: A Change Detection Array in the Pacific Arctic

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2019.05.005  

   Grebmeier, Jacqueline M.; Moore, Sue E.; Cooper, L. W.; Frey, K. E. (January 2019, Deepsea research)

   The Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) is a change detection array for select ecosystem variables along eight sampling transects in the Pacific Arctic Region (PAR). The overall objective of the DBO is to provide for the detection and consistent monitoring of the biophysical responses to major reductions in seasonal sea ice and concomitant increases in seawater temperatures observed across the region. A key uncertainty is how the PAR marine ecosystem is responding to these shifts in the timing of spring sea-ice retreat and/or delays in fall sea-ice formation. Variations in upper ocean hydrography, stratification, light penetration, planktonic production, pelagic-benthic coupling, and sediment carbon cycling are all influenced by sea ice and temperature changes. Observations of reduced sea ice extent/duration and seawater warming are linked to shifts in species composition and abundance, as well as northward range expansions in some upper trophic predators (e.g. humpback whales and commercially harvested fish), generally with negative impacts on ice-dependent species such as ice-associated seals and walruses. Some distributional shifts may be driven by changes in lower trophic level productivity that directly cascade into upper trophic levels. This special issue is a result of the international effort by participating scientists to implement a coordinated DBO that will meet these needs to understand the ecosystem responses to changing sea ice and thermal regimes. The key geographical focus is on the biologically productive waters in the PAR that are influenced by the inflow of North Pacific water through Bering Strait. Papers in this volume are based upon selected biological measurements at multiple trophic levels, together with appropriate hydrographic surveys and satellite observations. The DBO is developing into a significant national and international change detection resource for the identification and consistent monitoring of marine biophysical responses to climate change, with ongoing plans to expand into a pan-Arctic biological observing network. 

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2. The Distributed Biological Observatory: A change detection array in the Pacific Arctic – An introduction

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2019.05.005  

   Grebmeier, Jacqueline M.; Moore, Sue E.; Cooper, Lee W.; Frey, Karen E. (January 2019, Deepsea research)

   The Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) is a change detection array for select ecosystem variables along eight sampling transects in the Pacific Arctic Region (PAR). The overall objective of the DBO is to provide for the detection and consistent monitoring of the biophysical responses to major reductions in seasonal sea ice and concomitant increases in seawater temperatures observed across the region. A key uncertainty is how the PAR marine ecosystem is responding to these shifts in the timing of spring sea-ice retreat and/or delays in fall sea-ice formation. Variations in upper ocean hydrography, stratification, light penetration, planktonic production, pelagic-benthic coupling, and sediment carbon cycling are all influenced by sea ice and temperature changes. Observations of reduced sea ice extent/duration and seawater warming are linked to shifts in species composition and abundance, as well as northward range expansions in some upper trophic predators (e.g. humpback whales and commercially harvested fish), generally with negative impacts on ice-dependent species such as ice-associated seals and walruses. Some distributional shifts may be driven by changes in lower trophic level productivity that directly cascade into upper trophic levels. This special issue is a result of the international effort by participating scientists to implement a coordinated DBO that will meet these needs to understand the ecosystem responses to changing sea ice and thermal regimes. The key geographical focus is on the biologically productive waters in the PAR that are influenced by the inflow of North Pacific water through Bering Strait. Papers in this volume are based upon selected biological measurements at multiple trophic levels, together with appropriate hydrographic surveys and satellite observations. The DBO is developing into a significant national and international change detection resource for the identification and consistent monitoring of marine biophysical responses to climate change, with ongoing plans to expand into a pan-Arctic biological observing network. 

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3. Monitoring Alaskan Arctic Shelf Ecosystems Through Collaborative Observation Networks

   https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2022.119  

   Danielson, Seth; Grebmeier, Jacqueline; Iken, Katrin; Berchok, Catherine; Britt, Lyle; Dunton, Kenneth; Eisner, Lisa; Farley, Edward; Fujiwara, Amane; Hauser, Donna; et al (January 2022, Oceanography)

   Ongoing scientific programs that monitor marine environmental and ecological systems and changes comprise an informal but collaborative, information-rich, and spatially extensive network for the Alaskan Arctic continental shelves. Such programs reflect contributions and priorities of regional, national, and international funding agencies, as well as private donors and communities. These science programs are operated by a variety of local, regional, state, and national agencies, and academic, Tribal, for-profit, and nongovernmental nonprofit entities. Efforts include research ship and autonomous vehicle surveys, year-long mooring deployments, and observations from coastal communities. Inter-program coordination allows cost-effective leveraging of field logistics and collected data into value-added information that fosters new insights unattainable by any single program operating alone. Coordination occurs at many levels, from discussions at marine mammal co-management meetings and interagency meetings to scientific symposia and data workshops. Together, the efforts represented by this collection of loosely linked long-term monitoring programs enable a biologically focused scientific foundation for understanding ecosystem responses to warming water temperatures and declining Arctic sea ice. Here, we introduce a variety of currently active monitoring efforts in the Alaskan Arctic marine realm that exemplify the above attributes. 

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4. Future Arctic Marine Navigation: Complexity and Uncertainties

   https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2022.136  

   Brigham, Lawson (January 2022, Oceanography)

   Many uncertainties and a complex suite of drivers of change are influencing the future of Arctic marine operations and commercial shipping. Most notably, the well-documented reduction of Arctic sea ice extent and thickness and the transition from thick, multi-year to seasonal, first-year ice are profound responses to anthropogenic climate change. The Arctic Ocean is becoming more navigable, with greater marine access now attained in most regions. The possibilities for longer seasons of marine navigation during spring, summer, and autumn are real, but the vision of new, year-round (routine) Arctic shipping that could alter global trade routes remains highly implausible. Arctic shipping remains largely destinational, with ships traveling into the Arctic Ocean to conduct an economic activity (Lasserre, 2019). 

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5. Prevalence of pelagic diatoms and harmful algae in tellinid bivalve diets during record low sea ice in the Pacific Arctic determined by DNA metabarcoding

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1480327  

   Koch, Chelsea W; Sonsthagen, Sarah A; Cooper, Lee W; Grebmeier, Jacqueline M; Riddle-Berntsen, Ann E; Cornman, Robert S (February 2025, Frontiers in Marine Science)

   Understanding changes at the base of the marine food web in the rapidly transforming Arctic is essential for predicting and evaluating ecosystem dynamics. The northern Bering Sea experienced record low sea ice in 2018, followed by the second lowest in 2019, highlighting the urgency of the issue for this region. In this study, we investigated the diet of the clamMacoma calcareain the Pacific Arctic using DNA metabarcoding, employing 18S and rbcL markers to identify dietary components. Our findings revealed a strong dependence on pelagic diatoms, particularlyChaetocerossp., with a near absence of ice algae in the clam diet. This pattern reflects the lack of lipid-rich ice algal production during these low sea ice events. Additionally, our analysis detected algae capable of producing harmful toxins, notablyAlexandriumdinoflagellates, in the clam diet, underscoring the need for increased monitoring due to potential ecosystem and human health risks. This study demonstrates the utility of DNA metabarcoding in unraveling the complex dynamics of Arctic marine food webs and pelagic-benthic coupling, providing a glimpse of future conditions in a rapidly changing environment. 

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