Research Article

Low Density of Top Predators (Seabirds and Marine Mammals) in the High Arctic Pack Ice

Table 3

Observations of top predators during the same transect visited three times, between Tromsø and the high Arctic pack ice (83°N): main species; total number; mean per count; and mean per km.

ZonePolarstern expeditionnLatitude °NLongitude °E SalinityTemperature °CIce cover %Fluorescence (chlorophyll)Speed knots Fulmar Brünnich’s guillemot Little auk
Fulmarus glacialisUria lomviaAlle alle
Mean (min–max)Mean (min–max)Mean (min–max)Mean (min–max)Mean (min–max)TotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/km

1aPS8610170.1/78.420.2/−2.434.7 (33.2–35.1)7.1 (2.5–10.6)011.2 (6.0–11.5)4074.00.36210.210.024
1aPS868970.7/77.86.0/19.034.3 (34.2–35.1)8.6 (2.7–12.0)010.9 (3.9–12.7)114012.81.17620.750.074604.300.39
1aPS876870.2/77.9820.2/2.4434.6 (32.5–35.1)8.0 (3.2–12.4)09.0 (4.1–11.0)4245.76.191502.210.24320.470.05
25870.1/78.420.2/−2.434.5 (32.5–35.1)7.9 (2.5–12.4)02.79 (0.08–12.7)10.4 (3.9–11.5)19717.640.762330.900.094961.920.18
1bPS862878.5/79.2−2.80/−7.330.25 (29.9–31.7)−0.63 (−1.3–0.31)6.3 (3.8–9.0)311.10.170100.080.1
1bPS865379.2/81.36.0/−5.631.15 (29.6–35.1)0.39 (−0.97–3.73)8.9 (4.9–11.5)731.380.162280.390.04
1bPS878378.1/81.52.17/−6.6530.22 (29.3–33.8)0.34 (−1.1–4.3)5.99 (2.80–7.50)891.070.18110.130.025286.361.06
16478.1/81.52.17/−6.6530.54 (29.3–35.1)0.03 (−1.3–4.3)17 (0–80)0.88 (0.47–2.3)7.06 (2.80–11.5)1931.180.16130.080.015663.450.49
2aPS8611579.2/82.9−5.7/−9.830.54 (29.9–31.5)−0.86 (−1.30–1.60)6.1 (3.8–9.0)940.820.1314
2aPS873281.5/82.9−4.52/−6.6131.06 (29.3–31.1)−1.47 (−0.97– −1.70)4.4 (2.50–6.10)190.590.1300
14779.2/82.9−9.8/−4.5230.80 (29.30–31.5)−1.16 (−0.97– −1.70)70 (20–90)1.19 (0.13–5.5)8.4 (2.50–9.0)1130.770.0914

Zone PuffinIvory gullKittiwakeWh.-beaked dolphinFin whaleHarp sealHooded seal
Fratercula arcticaPagophila eburneaRissa tridactylaLagenorhynchus
albirostris
Balaenoptera physalusPagophilus groenlandicusCystophora cristata
TotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/kmTotalMeanN/kmTotal

1a1571.60.141490.500.048400
1a1161.30.1201171.30.122072.3300.30.0300
1a182426.82.980160.240.032430.050.00500
20978.130.7811820.710.072390.94370.140.0100
1b080.280.0450.180.03030.110.010
1b0140.260.02641.210.14001
1b3550.660.111341.610.27012
3770.470.072031.180.16043
2a01431.240.20330.290.05020.020.00314
2a04230.720.16000
01471.000.12560.380.0450214

For mean values above 0.1 per count for birds and above 0.01 for mammals.
From south to north: 1a, open water; 1b, NEW polynya; and 2a, pack ice (OMIZ: outer marginal ice zone).