Glacier ecology

Arctic and sub-Arctic glacial fjords are characterized by high rates of productivity that lead to rich marine ecosystems. High productivity has been attributed to glacial meltwater with a strong correlation between meltwater and phytoplankton blooms ultimately attracting high densities of marine mammals and seabirds. These areas also serve as year-round habitat for some species, like polar bears. This work is focused on the unique ecology of the areas at marine-terminating glacier fronts around Greenland, and includes studies of both the freshwater glacial ice and fjord fast ice. Using a combination of remote sensing data, satellite telemetry from individually-tracked animals, acoustics, remote camera traps and in situ observations, we seek to understand how Arctic marine top predators use glacier fronts as habitat.