To improve human impacts on the Arctic???

In order to improve or maintain positive human impacts on the Arctic, we should put more efforts to conserve, protect, and sustainably manage Arctic marine resources. Also, we should monitor the conditions of the Arctic and restrict commercial developments in the Arctic. Also, in order to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the Arctic, people should reduce their carbon footprints. The Arctic should remain as untouched and abundant in both land and marine biodiversity.  


reference: http://www.examiner.com/environmental-policy-in-seattle/could-pesticide-poisoning-kill-more-polar-bears-than-global-warming

Prospects for the Arctic Ecosystem

The biggest problem in the Arctic is melting glaciers due to global warming. The amount of sea-ice changes dramatically throughout the year. Due to extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, arctic surface air temperatures may rise 7 degree Celsius by the year 2100. As losing their habitats, many animals in the Arctic are going to be extinct; actually, many of the Arctic land and marine faunas are endangered. Also, as the temperature of the Arctic rises and glaciers melt, sea-level throughout the whole world rises. Some islands in the Southeast Asia are going to be sunk in the future due to rise of sea levels. 


reference: http://psc.apl.washington.edu/BEST/PSW2007/PSW07_modelpredictions.html

Current Human Impacts on the Arctic Ecosystem

There are at least three human impacts on the Arctic: issues relating to the exploitation of species, management of land and water, and pollution. Many populations of arctic species have been over-exploited over the last few hundred years. People are commercially exploiting the Arctic. Some species went extinct and some are endangered, because people have been slaughtering the Arctic animals for food and furs. The main example is the slaughter of harp seals. Although the harp seals are not listed as endangered, if people keep killing these animals just for furs, they will go extinct, as the Steller's cow did in the 19th centuries. Changes in both land and water use influence ecosystem in the Arctic. Overgrazing on the tundra can be severe. 

Overgrazing reduces the cover of herbs, grasses, shrubs, and lichens. In water, fish farming affects marine life. Deposition of unused food and fish feces from fish farming contaminate water. Pollution is the one of the greatest human impacts on the Arctic. Of the many examples of pollution, oil pollution in the Arctic has locally caused great mortality of wildlife and loss of marine biodiversity.




reference : http://www.eoearth.org/article/Human_impacts_on_the_biodiversity_of_the_Arctic
http://www.arcticsecurity.org/?tag=oil-spills

Historical State of the Arctic Ecosystem

Before the last Ice Age, the Arctic was as a bushy land as any other. Since its winter was harsh, and the summer was temperate, many faunas and plants lived in the Arctic. Many of these went extinct due to natural climate change, global warming. Today, the Arctic is very cold throughout the year, so only the tough animals and plants are able to survive. However, these tough animals and plants are endangered now because of commercial development of the Arctic and the global warming.

reference :http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm PgNm=TCESearchMedia&Params=A1&MediaId=5140