Polar Ice Center Narwhal Research
Narwhals are one of only two species of toothed whales that inhabit waters above the Arctic Circle (67oN) year round. They are purely Arctic whales.
Most narwhals make long annual migrations from high Arctic summering grounds to offshore wintering grounds where they spend the winter in dense sea ice where there can be less than 2% open water. During spring, groups of narwhals are seen along ice edges as they slowly move north into their summer waters.
Based on a recent review conducted by experts, the narwhal was identified as one of the most sensitive Arctic marine mammals to environmental change given its limited geographic range and narrow habitat niche (they feed on sea life completely dependent on sea ice). Therefore, narwhals are an important species for understanding the impacts of physical changes in the Arctic.
Because of the warming climate, key areas of the Arctic ecosystem are no longer ice-covered, which makes this ecosystem less dependable and even vulnerable to collapse. Furthermore, because the sea ice is receding, humans are interested in developing the Arctic by looking for offshore oil or increasing shipping routes. All of this disturbs the sensitive narwhal
The work that Dr. Kristin Laidre principal scientist at the Polar Ice Center, University of Washington, and her lab are undertaking is critical to understanding the basic movement patterns and ecology of narwhals. Once movement patterns, feeding behavior and preferred habitat are understood through their work, they can then implement protections and regulations that will ensure narwhals can continue to survive in a rapidly changing Arctic.
Check out Dr Laidre's narwhal FAQ here.