Arctic realm (AR)

The Arctic marine realm is centered on the Arctic Ocean and includes the northernmost coastal areas of Eurasia and North America. It is characterized by the presence of sea ice and waters that remain near or below freezing for much of the year. Despite these harsh conditions, the realm supports specialized species like the polar bear, narwhal, and walrus. It is bordered to the south by the temperate realms of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Arctic serves as a critical feeding ground for many migratory species during the summer months when productivity spikes due to long daylight hours. Today, the realm is under significant threat from global warming, which is rapidly reducing sea ice cover and altering its sensitive ecosystems.

Arctic Realm (AR) Eco Regions

The Arctic realm (AR) is subdivided into 19 marine eco regions:

• North Greenland

• North and East Iceland

• East Greenland Shelf

• West Greenland Shelf

• Northern Grand Banks-Southern Labrador

• Northern Labrador

• Baffin Bay-Davis Strait

• Hudson Complex

• Lancaster Sound

• High Arctic Archipelago

• Beaufort-Amundsen-Viscount Melville-Queen Maud

• Beaufort Sea-continental coast and shelf

• Chukchi Sea

• Eastern Bering Sea

• East Siberian Sea

• Laptev Sea

• Kara Sea

• North and East Barents Sea

• White Sea