Animal population grows in the Arctic

London, March 21 (ANI): The overall number of animals in the Arctic has increased over the past 40 years, says a new study.

The first analysis of a 40-year database of Arctic species, led by Louise McRae at the Zoological Society of London, has revealed that populations grew by about 16 percent since 1970, reports New Scientist.

The Arctic Species Trend Index covers 35 per cent of all Arctic vertebrate species.

The analysis has shown that several mammals have benefited from hunting bans.

For instance, populations of bowhead whales have increased by about 3 per cent per year for 30 years.

However, the trend masks worrying recent declines.

Warmer waters in the Bering Strait boosted the Bering Sea pollock between 1970 and 2003 by increasing plankton growth, but numbers have since declined.

The dark-bellied brent goose has also declined, after an initial recovery of numbers.

The researchers said that the recent declines could be linked to climate change.