Last week, the Arctic Council announced in its Arctic Species Trend Index, which the Canadian government funded, that High Arctic vertebrate species declined 26 percent between 1970 and 2004. Populations in more southern and marine Arctic ecosystems have experienced less dramatic changes, but climate change is clearly threatening the survival of polar wildlife, including in Canada. Arctic species are expected to be displaced as more southerly species encroach into warmer northern habitats, and polar ice melt threatens to further shrink Arctic habitats.
Noong nakaraang linggo, ang Konseho Arctic inihayag sa kanyang Arctic Species Trend Index, na pinondohan ng pamahalaan ng Canada, na High Arctic hayop na may gulugod species tinanggihan 26 porsiyento sa pagitan ng 1970 at 2004. populasyon sa mas southern at marine ecosystem Arctic ay nakaranas ng mas kapansin-pansing pagbabago, ngunit ang pagbabago ng klima ay malinaw na pagbabanta ang kaligtasan ng buhay ng mga polar hayop, kasama na sa Canada. Arctic species ay inaasahan na lumikas ng mas mula sa timog species makialam sa mas maiinit na hilagang tirahan, at polar ice matunaw nagbabanta sa karagdagang pag-urong Arctic tirahan.