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The Future of Hudson Bay: New Directions and Research Needs

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A Little Less Arctic

Abstract

What does the future hold for Hudson Bay? The consequences of Arctic warming include widespread melting of sea ice, a longer open water season, and warming of coastal permafrost. These and other alterations associated with climate warming will have an impact on Hudson Bay and the ecosystem it supports. The high trophic level marine mammals and birds have already experienced the cascade of ecosystem changes and are revealing those effects to the global community. The variability and magnitude of effects on these top predators need to be adequately assessed to begin mitigating and adapting to predicted changes. This book summarizes our current scientific understanding of the key oceanographic drivers and wildlife of Hudson Bay. We also have identified gaps in our knowledge and highlight future research needs. We are in the early stages of fully understanding: (a) the impacts of climate change on the Bay; (b) species-specific interactions and requirements of the physical and biological environment; and (c) the degree to which a warming climate will influence marine and coastal habitats, and consequently the Hudson Bay ecosystem and the iconic Arctic wildlife that call it home.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canadian Wildlife Service, 1714, Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0, Canada

    M. L. Mallory

Authors
  1. M. L. Mallory
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  2. L. L. Loseto
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  3. S. H. Ferguson
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Correspondence to M. L. Mallory .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, University of Manitoba Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N6, Canada

    Steven H. Ferguson

  2. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N6, Canada

    Lisa L. Loseto

  3. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, 1714, Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0, Canada

    Mark L. Mallory

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Mallory, M.L., Loseto, L.L., Ferguson, S.H. (2010). The Future of Hudson Bay: New Directions and Research Needs. In: Ferguson, S.H., Loseto, L.L., Mallory, M.L. (eds) A Little Less Arctic. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9121-5_14

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