SA: Abnormally Warm Years Caused a Sea Change in Coastal Alaska Ecosystems

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For the past three years, Alaska has experienced a series of climate-related changes due to abnormally high temperature and unusually strong winds. Alaska has experienced record-low sea ice, shifting algae bloom, migrating fish and sudden sea-bird die-offs. Currently, conditions appear to be shifting back towards the typical state, but scientists warn that this period could offer a glimpse into the regions’ permanent climate transformations due to climate change. One very notable observation in recent years has been that about 10,000 walruses indigenous to the area have been retreating to the shore due to low sea ice conditions. While these changes do not yet appear permanent, temperatures are predicted to continue rising, so the conditions observed could become more frequent and generate a multiple trophic-level effect.  

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