Knowra Polar ecosystem Polar ecosystem A community of organisms and their physical environment in the Arctic or Antarctic, shaped by cold, high latitude, and extreme seasonal changes in daylight.
Sea ice : Frozen seawater that forms a floating cover on oceans in cold regions. Its seasonal growth and melt reshape habitats and food webs in polar seas.
Polar food web : A network of feeding relationships among organisms in a polar region. It links seasonal primary production to the animals that depend on it.
Arctic tundra : A treeless biome of the far north with frozen ground, low vegetation, and a short growing season. It is the characteristic terrestrial ecosystem across much of the Arctic.
Arctic amplification : The faster warming of the Arctic compared with the global average. It accelerates changes to Arctic sea ice, permafrost, and species habitat.
Permafrost : Ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years. It governs drainage, soils, and plant growth across much of the Arctic.
Phytoplankton : Microscopic photosynthetic organisms that drift in aquatic environments. In polar seas, blooms provide the base of many marine food webs.
Antarctic desert : A polar desert covering most of Antarctica, with very low precipitation and sparse life on land. It shows how extreme cold and dryness constrain the continent’s terrestrial ecosystems.
Sea ice decline : The long-term reduction in the extent, thickness, or duration of sea ice. It removes hunting and breeding habitat for ice-dependent species.
Polar night : A period when the Sun remains below the horizon for at least 24 hours. Extended darkness imposes a recurring limit on photosynthesis and animal activity.
Krill : Small shrimp-like crustaceans that form dense swarms in the ocean. Antarctic krill transfer production from plankton to fish, seabirds, and whales.
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