Why is the Arctic marine ecosystem considered important?

The Arctic marine ecosystem is considered important primarily because it plays a vital role in global climate regulation. This region contributes significantly to the Earth's climate system through its influence on oceanic currents and the reflection of sunlight due to its ice cover, which helps regulate global temperatures. The melting of Arctic ice affects sea level rise and disrupts weather patterns worldwide, demonstrating how interconnected the Arctic is with global climate dynamics.

While the Arctic supports a variety of species adapted to its unique environment, it does not feature a wide range of biodiversity compared to other ecosystems, which makes the first option less accurate. The idea that the Arctic has a stable global temperature overlooks the fact that climate change is significantly impacting temperature patterns in this region. Additionally, the assertion that it is unaffected by human activities is incorrect, as there are significant influences from factors such as climate change, pollution, and resource exploitation. Thus, the primary importance of the Arctic lies in its critical role in climate regulation on a global scale.