Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010: Indicator #06, Arctic Char

Chars are salmonid fishes of the genus Salvelinus and are widely distributed throughout the circumpolar north from northernmost land areas to temperate regions in the south, i.e., from 84°N south to ~40°N. The distribution of the Arctic char species complex, sensu stricto, is shown in Figure 6.1. They occur across a broad range of environments and habitats, and are prominent components of northern aquatic ecosystems including freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine habitats. Chars are usually the only fish species present in the relatively simple freshwater ecosystems in Arctic areas north of ~75°N latitude.