State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report: chapter 2: Setting the scene

Setting the scene for the State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report.

The processes that control Arctic marine ecosystems differ from other ocean environments. The absence of light during winter months limits primary production, which then bursts into action upon the return of the spring sun. Large areas of sea ice also characterize Arctic Marine Areas (AMAs), and appear seasonally over extensive shelves and more permanently as a large central area of multi-year pack ice.