The Arctic Ocean is experiencing some climate-related changes.Some waters have recently become ice-free because of rising temperatures.These waters are now too deep for some commercially important species such as Arctic cod.As ocean acidification increases, it will reduce the productivity of shelled organisms, including mollusks and some plankton.Also, stratification will likely become more intense.Warmer water will float on a layer of colder, denser, nutrient-rich water, preventing nutrients from reaching the surface.What will these changes most likely mean for Arctic fish populations?
A) Their productivity will be higher.
B) Their productivity will be lower.
C) Fish will be unable to survive and will move south.
D) As plankton and mollusks die out, new fisheries will open up.
E) Stratification will lead to different fisheries at different depths.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The changes in the Arctic Ocean are likely to lower the productivity of Arctic fish populations due to the loss of important prey species such as Arctic cod, as well as reduced productivity of other organisms caused by ocean acidification and stratification. The Arctic fish populations may therefore be negatively impacted in the long term.

The Arctic Ocean Is Experiencing Some Climate-Related Changes