Ice-ocean interactions and ecosystem dynamics in the Arctic Marine Paleoecology Group

We discover, develop, and use proxy methods ranging from microfossils, biogeochemical tracers, and sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) applied to marine sediment records to reconstruct past environmental changes and their impacts. A primary focus of our research is characterizing long-term dynamics in the occurrence and diversity of marine protists (unicellular eukaryotes).

Global Climate Change is amplified in the Arctic, a region now warming nearly four times faster than the global average. The Greenland Ice Sheet is losing mass at an accelerating rate, glaciers are retreating onto land, and multiyear sea ice is expected to disappear within this century. As the cryosphere shrinks, ocean currents are changing, and marine species are either on the move, adapting or disappearing. Is the magnitude and rate of observed Arctic change unprecedented? How resilient are Arctic marine ecosystems to abrupt climate shifts? What can we learn from paleo-environmental records? Our ultimate goal is to provide long-term perspectives on Arctic change that can inform decision making on regional, national, and international levels.