Calanus, New Arctic Research Vessel

Description, with ship's plans, of the new ketch built in 1948 for the Fisheries Research Board of Canada

Stability and Fragility in Arctic Ecosystems

The conclusions reached in this paper, concerning the "Fragile Arctic" are the following: 1) Two definitions of ecological stability are in use, and it is essential to keep them separate and explicitly stated. "Type-l stability" is the condition of non-oscillation, or nearly non-oscillation and steady state found in certain tropical situations, the result of continued evolution toward greater economy of energy and involving high information content and low production/biomass ratio. This type of stability is highly vulnerable to serious perturbation, to which it cannot adapt. Such systems may thus be called "fragile" and they are found in the tropics and perhaps in certain parts of high latitude systems, such as lakes, subarctic forests and perhaps the tundra vegetation itself. "Type-2 stability" is the condition of ability to absorb serious perturbation and return to a stable state, usually the status quo ante. This involves system oscillation, smaller information content, higher production/biomass ratios, and lesser economy of energy use. This type is found in mid and high latitudes, in which the physical environment itself oscillates considerably. 2) In tundra environments, extreme ecosystem simplicity in the animal communities leads to extreme oscillation, and it is suggested that such oscillations can be tolerated only if the geographic scale is large, which it is in the Arctic. 3) "Thermokarst", or damage to tundra terrain by damage to, or removal of, the active layer, is a serious hazard which is well understood and can be easily avoided. It is upon this that the "fragile Arctic" reputation is founded. 4) Oil in arctic sea water constitutes a serious hazard, probably more serious than in warmer waters

Arctic and Subarctic Marine Ecology: Immediate Problems

The Arctic and sub-Arctic are defined in terms of marine environment. Differences in biological productivity between the areas are discussed, with consideration of the chemical and physical factors involved. Plankton production and biology, benthonic and littoral fauna, and fishes and marine animals present problems related to North American fisheries and Eskimo needs. In each case problems are listed for future study, a discussion of systematic and zoogeographic problems closing the report. Maps show (1) zones of the marine environment, (2) bathymetry, and (3) major currents of northern seas. Diagram illustrates the biological cycle in arctic and subarctic marine zones

A Note on Climatic Change in the Sea

Strong increase in temperature and water transport in the Gulf Stream-North Atlantic Drift system during the recent climatic amelioration (1915 to about 1945) has been most effective in the northeast part of the system (Iceland, Faeroes, Barents Sea, Svalbard) and West Greenland. Increase in flow of Atlantic water northward is, however, balanced by increased southward flow of polar water. East Greenland and the Canadian Eastern Arctic, influenced by the polar outlets, have undergone little warming. A short period of climatic warming in the 1880s had more effect on the Ungava Bay region, and probably the whole Eastern Arctic, than the recent fluctuation. Biological evidence of this earlier warming is discussed. A lesser increase in current transport may have been involved than in the recent climatic amelioration

Climatic Change and Northern Development

My approach to this subject is that of an oceanographer, not a meteorologist; but since much northern development, past, present, and future is closely related to the sea, it is not an inappropriate approach. The Eskimos, or Inuit, are fundamentally a coastal people, living largely on the products of the sea; whalers have used the northern waters extensively, traders have bought, and buy, sea mammal skins and oils, and the present industrial thrust is in part concerned with oil and gas from the northern sea floor or with mining close to the shore. ..

Arctic and Subarctic Marine Ecology: Immediate Problems

The Arctic and sub-Arctic are defined in terms of marine environment. Differences in biological productivity between the areas are discussed, with consideration of the chemical and physical factors involved. Plankton production and biology, benthonic and littoral fauna, and fishes and marine animals present problems related to North American fisheries and Eskimo needs. In each case problems are listed for future study, a discussion of systematic and zoogeographic problems closing the report. Maps show (1) zones of the marine environment, (2) bathymetry, and (3) major currents of northern seas. Diagram illustrates the biological cycle in arctic and subarctic marine zones

On the Fishery Potential of the Sea Waters of the Canadian North

The fishery potential of water originating in the Arctic Ocean is negligible, not because of water temperature or light penetration, but because of its vertical stability which keeps nutrients near the bottom. The subarctic mixed water is very productive. The marine subarctic zone on the Atlantic side includes Ungava Bay, Labrador coast, Newfoundland waters and the north part of the Gulf of St Lawrence. The very low abundance of fish in Hudson Bay is briefly discussed and notes given on the appearance, economic importance, geographic ranges and uses of some 20 species incl- uding shrimp, crab, mussel, clam and squid.Sur le potentiel de pêche des eaux marines du Nord canadien. Dans les eaux arctiques (originaires de l'océan Arctique), le potentiel de la pêche est négligeable. Le Subarctique, région d'eaux mixtes, est beaucoup plus productif et alimente déjà des pêcheries maritimes. Pour satisfaire aux demandes du marché actuel, il y a un besoin pressant de méthodes modernes de traitement du poisson. On attire ici l'attention sur les possibilités qu'offrent certaines espèces, comme le requin du Groënland, le flétan du Groënland, le capelan, le sébaste et la crevette. On insiste sur l'importance des changements du climat marin