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Effect of sea-ice reduction on zooplankton in the Arctic Ocean × SDGs
In the Arctic Ocean, there is concern about the rapid decline of sea ice due to climate change and its impact on the marine ecosystem. In the marine ecosystem, zooplankton is pivotal organisms connecting between primary producers and higher trophic levels. By understanding the impact of zooplankton on sea-ice reduction, we hope to contribute to the SDGs (13 CLIMATE ACTION and 14 LIFE BELOW WATER).
The United Nations has designated the decade starting in 2021 as the "Decade of Ocean Science," with the aim of contributing to SDGs. Ocean science, as defined by the UN, includes the field of fisheries.
Northward shift of plankton community
- The stations were dividied into six groups (A-F), and northward shift was observed in 2007/2008.
- In 2007, new group D was only seen with dominance of Pacific copepods.
- This trend was also reported by another paper from longer observation.
Plankton sampling and experiment on research vessel
- Fresh females were picked up from net sample.
- The specimen was incubated at in-situ temperature (0ᵒC) on board, and the reproduced eggs were counted
- The eggs were incubated until hatching.
- Successful reproduction by pacific copepods were confirmed.
The number of eggs were similar to that of Pacific.
- Hatching rate was very low at 7.5%, which is normally 90% in Pacific.
- It could be caused by the unfertilized eggs were abundant in the reproduced eggs.
- Because of that, establishment of the pacific copepods in Arctic is difficult so far.
