Changing Habitats: Video

As Arctic sea ice melts, the surface of the water will be covered by more phytoplankton blooms. 

A phytoplankton bloom is the development of phytoplankton biomass on the surface of the ocean or river estuary. Phytoplankton photosynthesise, using carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce carbohydrates and oxygen, which are vital ingredients for life processes. 

As sea ice melts, and more sunlight reaches the surface of the water directly, this creates the opportunity for more phytoplankton blooms to thrive, changing the Arctic environment for many species. Ice sheets currently create dark areas under the surface of the water, and phytoplankton blooms will also create similar light levels under the water.

Species adapt to changing environments with time; we are yet to see how species adapt to changing environments and habitats in the Arctic, and how this will affect the migration routes and food chains of marine species.