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arctic last ice area fast melting-2025

'Last Ice Area' In the Arctic Faces Faster Melting Than Predicted

Research Overview: The Last Ice Area's Vulnerability

High-resolution model depicting the melting of Arctic Last Ice Area and its impact on ice-dependent species like polar bears and seals.

Research from McGill University employing high-resolution modeling reveals that the Arctic's "Last Ice Area" (LIA), crucial for ice-dependent species, could vanish within a decade following the central Arctic Ocean's summer ice loss projected by mid-century.

The research findings were recently published in Communications Earth & Environment.

Previous Predictions vs. New Findings

Earlier studies based on lower-resolution models suggested the LIA might endure for decades longer. This stability is key to maintaining habitats for ice-reliant species such as polar bears, seals and ivory gulls.

Implications for Arctic Ecosystems

"The results highlight the pressing need to mitigate warming to secure the stability of the LIA and essential Arctic habitats," stated Madeleine Fol, lead author, based on her Master's thesis.

Efforts for Protection and Conservation

Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area: A Step Towards Protection

In 2019, Canada designated part of the LIA north of the Arctic Archipelago as the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area. Interim protection for this region was extended in August 2024 for up to five years, allowing the governments to collaborate with partners on long-term conservation strategies.

Community and Organizational Efforts

Inuit communities are committed to safeguarding the LIA's unique ecosystem, while environmental organizations, such as the World Wildlife Found, have advocated for its protection to enhance Arctic ecosystem resilience.

New Modeling Insights and Predictions

Rapid Loss of the LIA

Bruno Tremblay, a Professor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Studies and co-lead of the research, stated, "Our high-resolution models, which account for sea ice transport through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, indicate the LIA may disappear far earlier than predictions suggested."

Sea Ice Drift and Accelerated Melting

The simulations suggest that a substantial portion of the LIA's remaining thick ice may drift southward through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, entering warmer waters and melting rapidly, potentially flushing the sea ice within a decade. This rapid loss is only feasible under conditions of continuous ice-free summers in the central Arctic Ocean, highlighting the importance of conserving thick ice to impede transport, the researchers noted.

Source

The Arctic's "Last Ice Area" is disappearing faster than ever, endangering habitats crucial for polar bears, seals and other ice-dependent species. Urgent action is needed to combat climate change and safeguard these ecosystem.

Learn More About Global Warming and Its Impacts:

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Share this article and help spread awareness. Together, we can ensure a sustainable future for the Arctic and beyond.

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