Fig. 6.

Major findings of the study, summarising the run-off influences on Arctic coastal ecosystem functioning with possible bioeconomic consequences. The target areas of this study (control area, glacial run-off, terrestrial run-off) relate to both present-day spatial differences and near-future temporal changes, when glaciers retreat. Responding to the sum of environmental conditions in each area (temperature, salinity, PAR availability, dissolved element concentration), we found significant changes in the kelp element content, biochemistry, and associated microbial community. While we cannot prove the causal dependency between the response parameters (but only correlations), their individual changes pose extensive consequences for high trophic levels, the ecosystem element cycling but also bioeconomic potential.