Polar Ecosystem
What food web is the Polar Ecosystem based on?
Ocean
What kind of growing season does the Arctic and Antarctic Tundra have? (Long or Short)
Short growing season
As the ice melts because of warm air temperatures, more of the dark ocean is _______ & ______ the sun's heat, which increases water temperature.
As the ice melts because of warm air temperatures, more of the dark ocean is EXPOSED & ABSORBS the sun's heat, which increases water temperature.
*Does not need to be in that order*
Could you explain the difference in growing season between Alpine Tundra and Arctic/Antarctic regions?
Alpine has a longer growing season.
What are two of the effects of climate change we've discussed?
ANY OF THESE ARE CORRECT, NEED TO HAVE 2 EFFECTS !
- Changes in temperature and precipitation
- More intense hurricanes
- Insects living longer
- Human health impacts
- Organisms are affected (Less food, resources, changes in habitat. shelter)
- Negative effects on the economy
- Coral Bleaching
- Ocean acidification
- Melting and sea ice
- increased sea levels
What are two types of Polar Ecosystem autotrophs?
ALGAE AND PHYTOPLANKTON
Why can't the Antarctic Tundra support vegetation?
Antarctic Tundra support can't vegetation growth because the land is too cold and dry.
Where do you think the ocean water is saltier?
Saltwater is more dense so it sinks towards the bottom.
True or False
The Alpine is not well drained (no permafrost), but no large trees!
False
Polar bears are appearing more frequently in Alaskan villages. Does this indicate an increase in the polar bear population?
No, because of melting sea ice, polar bears have issues finding habitats and food so they're travelling to villages.
True or False
There are still land animals, though they often eat plants and dead animals
FALSE
There are still land animals though they often eat fish or other sea life.
Can you describe what "upside-down soil" is...
Sea ice is essentially "upside-down soil" because algae and phytoplankton can grow on the underside of the ice. This provides food and protection for young krill and many other species.
What is the difference between a Primary Producer and a Primary consumer?
Primary consumers are animals that eat plants or other animals, while primary producers are plants that create energy from the sun.
Why can't trees grow on the edge of the habitat?
a. High Elevation and High Latitude
b Low Deepness
c High altitude and Low Latitude
a. High Elevation and High Latitude
What climate change effect is mostly talked about in cold biomes?
MELTING SEA ICE
Describe the winters and summers in the Polar ecosystem.
Winters are bitterly cold and dark. Summers are bright but cold.
FILL IN THE BLANK;
The tundra soil has very ______ nutrients.
The tundra soil has very LITTLE nutrients.
What is the limiting factor of all the cold biomes SHARE?
TEMPERATURE ;)
What is the nicknames of dwarf/stunted trees?
Krummholz
"What are some of the causes of permafrost thawing?"
Unstable ground, sinking roads/buildings, and preserved/ frozen dead organisms start to thaw & surface, and disease spreads.
a. Food
b. Home
c. Bridge
Bridge or Home
Why are plants low-growing?
To avoid wind
What molecules in the atmosphere are not GREENHOUSE GASES? (NAME THE 2 WE SPOKE ABOUT)
N2 AND O2
Describe the growing season of a Alpine Tundra...
Longer and warmer than Arctic tundra (~180 days). There's a lot of overlap with cold deserts.
What is climate change caused by?
Enhanced GHG