Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
Published on: March 31, 2023
Changing sea ice cover led to marine biodiversity shifts in the Late Quaternary
Stijn De Schepper1,2, Tristan Cordier2, Katrine Sandnes Skaar3
1University of Bergen, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract:
Today, the sea ice cover is rapidly declining in the Arctic Ocean. While major changes in the Arctic marine ecosystems are starting to appear, the full implication of a changing Arctic ecosystem is not well understood. Here we show, using sedimentary ancient DNA metabarcoding to document marine eukaryotic communities, that higher diversity is recorded in a warmer, sea ice free Labrador Sea compared to when this region is sea ice covered. Changes in diversity and communities happen slower than the rapid climate warming of Greenland Interstadial 8 (ca. 38,000 years ago) and the Bølling period (ca. 14,700 years ago). Surface ocean conditions, rather than atmospheric warming, exert control on the marine eukaryote community and diversity. Our observations from the paleoclimate record suggest that when sea ice further decreases under global warming, the (sub-)polar marine ecosystems will change drastically, and feedbacks to the carbon cycle and climate system become very likely.
Related Concept Videos
Marine Microbial Ecology
The Fossil Record
Global Climate Change
Threats to Biodiversity
What is Evolutionary History?
Keystone Species

