In the endless winter of Canada’s Arctic, elusive areas of open water exist among the vast and frozen landscape. These Arctic oases, areas of open water on the sea ice or thermal freshwater springs inland, are key to the survival of marine mammals, migratory birds and northern wildlife.
Permanent areas of open water in the sea ice, known as polynyas, are a bounty of marine mammals and birds. Sunlight penetrates these waters generating a burst of nutrients, the warm waters sparking a burst of plankton that in turn feeds shrimp, seals, fish and even whales. These creatures are feasted on by polar bears who themselves lead a trail of scavengers along the ice edge.
Along the vast expanses of snow and ice of northern Canada, few spots of open water remain on the land. Thermal upwellings, fed by ancient faultlines that once forced our western mountains upward, still push this open water to the surface. Generations of animals have learned to visit these key locations; it is an ancient tradition fed by ancient waters.
Without access to these treasured feeding areas, northern wildlife populations can be in serious trouble. If a polynya or seasonal lead suddenly freezes over, whales will suffocate, exhausted birds will freeze and polar bears will starve.
