Match-mismatch between copepods and spring bloom in an Arctic fjord

Arctic ecosystems are subject to environmental changes such as increasing freshwater inputs and acidification with increasing global temperatures. This has implications for the spring phytoplankton blooms upon which Calanus copepods rely for food following the overwintering period of their lifecycle. These blooms allow copepods to replenish their lipid storage, which is necessary for reproductive success and is a critical energy source for predators, including commercially important fish. A mismatch event may lead to a lack of food, and therefore decreased growth and quality of lipids of copepods. Additionally, increased temperatures bring in more Atlantic zooplankton species into areas previously dominated by Arctic species. These species may be smaller and be less lipid-rich , which will alter energy transfer within Arctic food-webs.