The most characteristic feature of the Arctic is ice, but summers with no sea ice are now expected in most of the Arctic Ocean within a decade. The ocean is also rapidly freshening due to melting of sea ice and glaciers, increased precipitation and run-off from the land. This is certain to cause major changes in marine ecosystems and massively alter global climate, sea level, and ocean circulation. Yet, we have severe deficits in our understanding of freshening that limit our ability to comprehend and predict rapid climate changes.
CIFAR is a research programme that aims to unravel how the complex interplay between ice melt and ice formation across geographical scales and time affect ocean properties and ecosystem functioning. Above all, we need to enhance our knowledge of how, where and when freshwater is mixed into the ocean, and how freshening will affect the ocean’s biogeochemistry. We need a solid understanding of how key ecosystem processes such as primary production will operate in the future fresher, ice-free Arctic. We also need better knowledge of how physical and biogeochemical factors control biological productivity. These challenges are at the heart of CIFAR. Our discoveries will also include new knowledge on how marine ecosystems will change, which is needed for coastal communities in circum-polar countries to respond more effectively to rapid environmental changes securing socio-economic benefit and well-being.
The purpose the Center of Excellence, CIFAR, is to explore the consequences of ice loss and freshening for marine biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning. The center will be focused on four major research questions that translates into focus areas 1-4:
