Spatial and temporal impacts of climate change to the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area, Beaufort Sea, Canada

The Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area (TN MPA), composed of three distinct parcels (Niaqunnaq, Okeevik, and Kittigaryuit), was established in the Western Canadian Arctic to protect the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga ( Delphinapterus leucas) population and their critical habitat in the Mackenzie Estuary. In this study, we compare the past and current state of environmental parameters—wave regimes, water conditions, storminess, erosion, and landfast ice break-up in the TN MPA. We found significant differences in the characteristics of these environmental parameters between each of the three MPA parcels, which may be impacted differently by climate change. The break-up of landfast ice is occurring earlier in all three parcels of the TN MPA, with the greatest rate of change at Kittigaryuit. Rates of coastal erosion are increasing at Kittigaryuit, while slightly decreasing at Okeevik. We did not identify any significant changes in storm characteristics over the study period. Our results suggest that ecological monitoring should occur within each parcel of the TN MPA to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the area overall. A better understanding of spatial and temporal differences of these environmental parameters will help to inform local users and resource managers to more effectively monitor and manage the MPA.