Polar Ecosystems
Name an apex predator in the polar ecosystem.
Polar bear
What does the arctic tundra encircle?
The north pole.
Are trees abundant?
No
What are some effects of climate change?
Melting ice caps.
What is permafrost?
Permantely frozen layer of soil that is frozen all year round.
What is the food web based on?
On the ocean
What are some producers in arctic & antarctic tundra ecosystems?
Grasses, moss, lichens & other small plants.
Where can alpine tundra be found?
At very high altitudes.
Caused by an enhanced greenhouse effect due to increased levels of GHG.
Name a secondary consumer in a polar ecosystem.
Arctic cod (fish).
Where do polar ecosystems overlap?
Artic & Antarctic Tundra
What based food web are arctic and antarctic tundras?
What is the treeline?
The edge of the habitat where trees cannot grow b/c of high elevation or high latitude.
What are 3 negative effects of climate change?
-Changes in temp. and precipitation.
-More intense hurricanes
-Insects living longer (warm seasons are longer)
-Human health impacts (disease by insects, respiratory issues, death, etc.)
-Organisms are affected (less resources, changes in habitat, etc
-Negative effects on economy (damages from hurricanes, less crops, etc)
-Ocean acidification
-Increase sea levels
Why does it take a long time for decomposition to occur in acrtic tundras?
Due to the low temperatures.
What is the main autotroph in an polar ecosystem?
Phytoplanktons & algae
Which is smaller arctic tundras or antarctic tundras.
Antarctic tundras are much smaller.
Describe the alpine tundra growing season
Longer/warmer than artic tundra (~180 days)
How is climate change affecting polar bears?
Polar bears have issues finding habitat due to melting sea ice, also have issues finding food so they're travelling into villages.
How are oxygen levels in alpine tundras?
Low.
Name some adapatations animals have to survive in an polar ecosystem.
Adapted to handle cold/long winters, breed and raise young quickly, camouflouge, some have fat for insulation, some hibernate and some migrate.
What is the limiting factor in arctic and antarctic tundras?
Temperature.
Name some alpine tundra plants.
-Grasses
-Lichens
-Mosses
-Small-leaf shrubs
-Dwarf/stunted trees
Describe the permafrost timebomb.
Increase temps. lead to thawing permafrost, frozen organic matter thaws and decays, carbon released into atmosphere as CO2 and methane, emissions from permafrost accelerates global warming which further ahead accelerates the permafrost melt.
Unlike arctic tundras, alpine tundras have well drained soil and no permafrost but still no trees, why is this?
Due to high elevations.