dr. FL (Fokje) Schaafsma

Microbial communities within sea ice are presumed to be a major carbon source for the pelagic ecosystem covered by ice. Also, the ice-water interface constitutes an important habitat for many organisms, including e.g. Antarctic krill  and polar cod as key species. Highest densities of top predators are strongly associated with sea ice where primary production measurements suggest low productivity of the water column underneath, further indicating the importance of sea-ice algae as a food source. Climate warming can cause changes in extent, thickness and seasonal persistence of sea ice and can therefore have consequences for ecosystem functioning in polar regions. Understanding sea-ice food webs can help the development of policy for conservation and fishery, considering future changes.