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Bird impacts on ecological structure, composition and function in Arctic ponds.

Thomas C Jensen¹, Ann Kristin Schartau¹, Birger Skjelbred²

¹Norwegian Institute for Nature Research-NINA-Oslo, Sognsveien 68, 0855 Oslo, Norway.

|October 27, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Arctic bird populations significantly alter small pond ecosystems. Increased bird impact leads to nutrient enrichment, shifts in algae, and reduced zooplankton diversity, creating hypereutrophic conditions and stimulating the microbial loop.

Keywords:

Eutrophication Methane Phytoplankton Water chemistry Zooplankton

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Limnology
Arctic Science

Background:

Small Arctic ponds and riparian zones are vital ecological hotspots.
These ecosystems support diverse terrestrial and aquatic life and are crucial for biogeochemical cycling.
Arctic birds, especially geese, exert significant influence on these aquatic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of increased bird impact on Arctic pond ecosystems.
To analyze changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in response to bird activity.
To determine the relationship between bird impact and pond physico-chemical properties.

Main Methods:

Six Arctic ponds on Svalbard with varying bird impact levels were sampled in summer 2022.
Physico-chemical parameters, nutrient concentrations, and phytoplankton and zooplankton communities were analyzed.
Comparison of ecological data between ponds with differential bird influence.

Main Results:

Bird-impacted ponds exhibited higher nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus.
Phytoplankton biomass increased significantly, with a shift towards cryptophytes and cyanobacteria under high bird impact.
Metazoan zooplankton abundance decreased, while ciliate abundance increased; overall taxa richness declined in highly impacted ponds.

Conclusions:

High bird impact drives Arctic ponds towards hypereutrophic conditions.
These changes are characterized by reduced biodiversity and a potential shift towards a microbial loop-dominated system.
Findings suggest future alterations in Arctic aquatic ecosystems due to increasing bird populations.