Fig. 2: Conceptual figure of the impact of different glacier types (land- versus marine-terminating) on oceanography and ecosystem functioning.
From: Glacier retreat alters downstream fjord ecosystem structure and function in Greenland
Illustration of how different glacier types (land- versus marine-terminating) impact oceanography and ecosystem functioning. Meltwater runoff of land-terminating glaciers results in stratified, turbid inner-fjord surface layer characterized by a low productivity dominated by picophytoplankton and bacteria. These are primarily grazed by smaller protozooplankton. Fjords with marine-terminating glaciers are characterized by upwelling of nutrient-rich deep water by subglacial discharge plumes stimulating higher phytoplankton productivity and diatoms which are grazed by larger mesozooplankton, potentially resulting in more efficient transfer to higher trophic levels.
