Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010 – Selected indicators of change. (DRAFT).

Abstract

"The Arctic plays host to a vast array of biodiversity, including many globally significant populations [1]. Included among these are more than half of the world ́s shorebird species [2], 80% of the global goose populations [3], several million reindeer and caribou, and many unique mammals, such as the polar bear. During the short summer breeding season, 279 species of birds arrive from as far away as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and South America to take advantage of the long days and intense period of productivity. Several species of marine mammals, including grey and humpback whales, and harp and hooded seals, also migrate annually to the Arctic (Figure I)." /.../