Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 79968, USA.
Ambio. 2011 Sep;40(6):589-99. doi: 10.1007/s13280-011-0165-1.
The arctic tundra ponds at the International Biological Program (IBP) site in Barrow, AK, were studied extensively in the 1970s; however, very little aquatic research has been conducted there for over three decades. Due to the rapid climate changes already occurring in northern Alaska, identifying any changes in the ponds' structure and function over the past 30-40 years can help identify any potential climate-related impacts. Current research on the IBP ponds has revealed significant changes in the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of these ponds over time. These changes include increased water temperatures, increased water column nutrient concentrations, the presence of at least one new chironomid species, and increased macrophyte cover. However, we have also observed significant annual variation in many measured variables and caution that this variation must be taken into account when attempting to make statements about longer-term change. The Barrow IBP tundra ponds represent one of the very few locations in the Arctic where long-term data are available on freshwater ecosystem structure and function. Continued monitoring and protection of these invaluable sites is required to help understand the implications of climate change on freshwater ecosystems in the Arctic.
阿拉斯加巴罗的国际生物计划（IBP）站点的北极冻原池塘在 20 世纪 70 年代得到了广泛研究；然而，在过去的三十多年里，那里几乎没有进行过任何水生研究。由于阿拉斯加北部已经发生了快速的气候变化，确定过去 30-40 年中池塘结构和功能的任何变化，可以帮助确定任何与气候相关的潜在影响。目前对 IBP 池塘的研究表明，这些池塘的物理、化学和生物特征随着时间的推移发生了重大变化。这些变化包括水温升高、水柱营养浓度增加、至少有一种新的摇蚊物种的存在以及大型植物覆盖的增加。然而，我们也观察到许多测量变量的年度变化很大，并警告说，在试图对长期变化做出陈述时，必须考虑到这种变化。巴罗 IBP 冻原池塘是北极地区极少数可以获得淡水生态系统结构和功能长期数据的地点之一。需要继续监测和保护这些宝贵的地点，以帮助了解气候变化对北极淡水生态系统的影响。
