The key VECS for four Arctic realms are presented in Table 2-1.  In many cases, the species overlap between different realms.  For example Calanoid copepods, Arctic cod, and amphipods play a key role throughout Arctic food webs.  Additionally, interface habitats that contribute to the functioning and diversity of the Arctic should be further studied. These habitats include: surface microlayer, ice edges and ice margins, under-ice flora and fauna, water mass convergence zones, demersal communities and shorelines.

Determining areas of seasonal population aggregations of VECs is important to inform NEBA decision making. However, these efforts require information on life-history and presence/absence data for each VEC.  Such analyses have been done for certain portions of the Arctic including the US and Canadian Beaufort.    An example of such an effort is the Beaufort Regional Environmental Assessment (BREA) program in the eastern Beaufort.  Seasonal movements of VEC species have been overlain with traditional hunting grounds and other data to create VEC vulnerability profiles that indicate specific locations and time periods where the population may be sensitive to certain OSRs (Trudel 2013).  As an example, data has been summarized for White whales (D. leucas) as they enter the eastern Beaufort in early June, with adults and young congregating at the mouth of the Mackenzie River delta (Figure 2-10).  During July, population densities are highest close to the mouth of the river, in areas used by indigenous fisheries.  In September and October, all whales leave the area.  Based on the vulnerability analysis, the White whales would be most vulnerable close to the mouth of the river during July. This approach has been used in different portions of the Arctic; a pan-Arctic compilation of such data would be useful to OSR strategizing.

Table 2-2.  Valuable Ecosystem Components of Arctic Communities