Ice-dependent

Describing a species, ecosystem, or process that relies on the presence of ice, especially sea ice, for survival, reproduction, or other crucial aspects of their life cycle. This dependence often arises from the ice providing a habitat, a platform for hunting, or a buffer against harsh environmental conditions. The extent and nature of this dependency can vary, ranging from absolute, where ice is essential, to partial, where ice provides a significant advantage but is not strictly required. Climate change, with its accelerating ice loss, poses a significant threat to ice-dependent organisms and systems.

Ice-dependent meaning with examples

• Polar bears are highly ice-dependent. They use sea ice as a platform for hunting seals, their primary food source. As the Arctic sea ice melts earlier and freezes later each year due to rising global temperatures, the polar bear population faces increasing challenges to their survival, forcing them to travel longer distances, expending vital energy to find food.
• Certain species of seals exhibit ice-dependent behavior. For example, ringed seals build dens in the snow on top of sea ice, creating protective havens for their pups. The decline in stable ice cover reduces the availability of these crucial breeding habitats, threatening their population levels and reproduction.
• The Arctic ecosystem relies heavily on ice-dependent algae that form the base of the marine food web. These algae thrive in the underside of sea ice, supporting a cascade of life from zooplankton to fish, and eventually to marine mammals. Loss of ice reduces algae growth, causing declines throughout the food chain.
• Many indigenous communities in Arctic regions are also ice-dependent, using ice for transportation, hunting, fishing, and cultural practices. Their traditional way of life is intrinsically linked to the presence and predictability of sea ice. Changes in ice cover and the subsequent ecological shifts impact their livelihoods and social structures.