The ice edge is not a distinct line and as seasons and weather fronts this edge and ice distribution moves dynamically. Likewise, the animals and ecosystems follow this dynamic movement.Â
This visualization shows the daily Arctic sea-ice and seasonal land cover change progress through time, from January 1, 2016, through September 10, 2016 when the sea-ice reached its annual minimum extent for the year. The 2016 Arctic sea ice minimum is the second lowest minimum extent on the satellite record (NASA Scientific Visualization Studio).