Transcript Slide 1

Individual
Global
Unique
What makes the Bering Sea important
to the entire planet?
50% of
United
States
Seafood
Production
Migratory Birds
&
Mammals
Fish
Open Ocean / Sea Ice
Chemical processes
Plankton/Invertebrates
Benthos
The Bering Sea
is one of the most
biologically
productive areas
in the world.
WATER
Water masses don’t just stay in one spot – water in the Bering Sea
may have been in Hawaii or California, etc. Nutrients in the water may
also have come from different locations.
Melting Arctic sea ice could stop the global ocean conveyor belt.
Bering Sea
-Salt
-Unique chemical properties
-Currents/tides
-summer Ice / winter ice
-Oceanic Benthos
WEATHER
Weather systems develop in the Arctic and can influence weather in
the lower 48 and other countries.
QuickTime™ and a
H.264 decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Different air masses which not only affect
North America, but other continents as
well.
Arctic Ice Affects Global Climate, Weather
WILDLIFE
Whales and birds are just two examples of the species that
migrate from many far away ecosystems to the Bering Sea,
and with the change of seasons, return to where they came
from, starting the yearly migration cycle all over.
Whales & Migration
Just a few migratory bird species who throughout the year call the Bering Sea home!
SHORT TAILED
ALBATROSS
MURRE
ARCTIC TERN
SHEARWATER
The Bering Sea is a unique and
varied ecosystem…this
presentation is only the
beginning in a course of study
that can last a life time.
To find out more please visit the following
websites:
Best/Bsierp
Bering Ecosystem Science Overview
Science Focus- The Bering Sea