Researchers have identified the presence of the initial invasive barnacle species in Nunavut’s waters, indicating a consequence of rising temperatures. Published in Global Change Biology, the study highlights how the warming Arctic has facilitated the migration of invasive species due to the loss of its thermal barrier.
The surge in shipping traffic in Arctic Canada, increasing by more than 250% since 1990, has become a significant pathway for non-Indigenous species like the bay barnacle (Amphibalanus improvisus) to infiltrate the region. Discovered in ten locations across Canada’s Arctic, this species is commonly found in European waters and the Pacific Ocean.
Betty Boyse, a molecular biologist from the British Antarctic Survey and study co-author, conducted the research during cruises. Using environmental DNA collected from the waters, the researchers identified barnacles, particularly concentrated near Pond Inlet, a gateway to the Northwest Passage.
The detection of barnacles was based on environmental DNA analysis rather than visual confirmation, showcasing the effectiveness of this method. The researchers emphasize the increasing vulnerability of the Arctic ecosystem to invasive species, with the bay barnacle serving as an alarming indicator.
Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada acknowledged the study’s significance, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and visual confirmation to validate the presence of live organisms based on environmental DNA. The collaboration with Indigenous communities and the implementation of monitoring programs are crucial steps in tracking and preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species in the Arctic.
Other non-indigenous aquatic species have been reported in the Canadian Arctic, although their origin and impact remain uncertain. The study underscores the importance of proactive measures, such as increased monitoring and stringent regulations for vessels entering the region, to safeguard the Arctic ecosystem and local communities from the spread of invasive species.
