Study details potential ecological changes cause by Arctic ice loss

Arctic ice (Credit: Pink floyd88 a, via Wikimedia Commons)

A new paper co-written by a University of Montana researcher warns about the potential effects that Arctic ice loss could have on the region’s plant and animal life, according to a release from the university.

The paper contends that ice loss will isolate animals like the Arctic fox and habitat loss will crowd other species. As some species are forced closer together, pathogens like the phocine distemper virus, a deadly disease that attacks the nervous system, could ravage animal populations.

The loss of Arctic ice will also change plant life in these regions, which will cause disturbances in food availability to animals.

Image: Melting Arctic ice (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)