Greenland is an enormous land area stretching 2,600 km from the North Atlantic in the south to the Polar Sea in the north. The widely varying climate in Greenland is one of the reasons why natural conditions differ widely among regions. Both plants and animals are finely adjusted to their extreme living conditions. Several of the land-living species rely on a stable layer of snow during winter to protect them against the cold, while other species are dependent on the snow blowing away altogether or disappearing early. Snow is therefore just as important as temperature for many of Greenland’s plant and animal species.

In the sea, conditions are greatly influenced by the sea ice which in some places lies as a lid on the sea for several months of the year. When the ice melts in spring, the sun light penetrates the sea and initiates production. Small crustaceans and polar cod, important food items for birds and sea mammals, live in and at the sea Ringed seal, hooded seal and Greenland seal shed their hair and breed on the ice. Seals are the primary prey for polar bears that are also highly dependent on the ice.

Expectations as to the future climate in Greenland
Greenland is impacted by the surrounding seas and by large climate and weather systems that differ greatly from north to south. It is a well-balanced system regulating plant and animal life throughout the country. If one of the factors of the system changes, it will have impact on the rest of the system. For instance, a temperature increase will affect sea ice, sea currents, local weather conditions and plant and animal life. The climate models predict that during the next 100 years the climate in Greenland will become gradually warmer and wetter, which will have various impacts throughout the country. Average temperatures in South Greenland will rise by ca. 2 ^oC – somewhat more in winter than in summer.

In North-East Greenland average temperatures will rise by 6-10 ^oC in winter, but only insignificantly in summer. 

In the major part of Greenland precipitation will increase by 10-50%. In South Greenland precipitation will not increase substantially, while winter precipitation will increase dramatically in North Greenland.

Consequences on land
In the low Arctic area the growth season will be prolonged and the plant cover will become more vigorous. The changed conditions will imply that new southern plant species may be introduced if their seeds are transported over the Atlantic, e.g. with birds or sea currents. In the high Arctic area the growth season might also last longer. Several more southern species may thrive in the high Arctic area with the increase in precipitation and temperatures. This means that a large part of the high Arctic area will change and gradually resemble the low Arctic area. It also implies that some of the species specialized for life in dry and cold high Arctic areas will be endangered or may vanish completely with the disappearance of their special habitats.

The changed climate will most likely affect animals as well. For many species, but far from all, a milder climate will be an advantage. Species adapted to life in the high Arctic area will face the greatest challenges. By way of example, musk ox in North and North-East Greenland will be endangered in case of more snow and periods of thaw in winter. This will produce an ice crust on the ground rendering it difficult for the oxen to reach their food. Some of the wading birds breeding in North-East Greenland might disappear altogether with the change in their breeding areas. Animals in the low Arctic area will probably thrive due to the enhanced availability of food. In contrast, a warmer and wetter climate may lead to an increase in diseases and insect infections.

In general, a warmer climate in Greenland will lead to improved living conditions for plants and animals in many places. However, many of the species adapted to the harsh conditions in the high Arctic will face great challenges and might become extinct.

Consequences in the sea
The expected climate changes will most probably have a marked impact on the ice conditions in fjords and seas along the Greenland coasts. The layer of ice will become thinner and the ice-free period last longer than today. This means that more light will penetrate into the water benefiting the algae. In contrast, a warmer climate will likely lead to larger quantities of colder and relatively fresh water down along the eastern coast and some way up the western coast, which will contribute to limiting algal growth. If the production of algae rises, this will be of decisive importance for the entire food chain of the sea, from the smallest animals to mussels, fish, seals and whales.

The ice conditions along the Greenland west coast are not likely to change much and plant and animal life in the sea will therefore not change as markedly here as along the eastern coast. As was the case on land, the warmer climate generally means that conditions will improve for many plants and animals living in the sea, but with exceptions. For instance, the polar bear in East Greenland will face an uncertain future. It mostly catches its prey on the ice, and if the sea retreats farther north and away from the region the polar bear population must follow it in search of food. The same applies to other sea mammals dependent on the ice, e.g. hooded seal, Greenland seal and ringed seal.

The temperature of the sea is decisive for the distribution of many of Greenland’s mussels, crustaceans and fish. With rising sea temperatures species such as cod, redfish, halibut, Atlantic wolffish and herring may spread further north than today. Also species such as polar cod, Arctic cod and Arctic skate will spread northward as they thrive better in colder water. Shrimps, crabs and scallops will also move away from areas with warmer water. The climatic changes may therefore impact the abundance of fish in Greenland sea areas. A number of sea mammals and sea birds will benefit from enhanced production in the sea and from a prolonged ice free period.