Some sea ice persists year-round, creating a unique ecosystem. Life in the Arctic includes zooplankton and phytoplankton, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals, plants and human societies. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Northern Canada (Canada), Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. Polar habitats have just two seasons – summer and winter (but even summer is normally very cold). Many Arctic species can grow under a layer of snow, and virtually all polar plants are able to photosynthesize in extremely cold temperatures. Seals eat Arctic cod. The Arctic region is found in the northernmost … Arctic facts for kids. The Arctic is a harsh and fragile ecosystem populated by some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet. Biology, Earth Science, Oceanography. The walrus was once threatened by commercial hunting, but today the biggest danger it faces is climate change. Estimates claim that climate change could cause the Arctic Ocean to be ice free during the summer by 2040. scientific name Odobenus rosmarus ; weight 400 to 1800 kg; length 2.2 to 3.6 m; population … Arctic changes will affect sources and sinks of important greenhouse gases (methane in particular). Read on and enjoy learning some cool facts related to the Arctic. Contents. When these layers thaw, the carbon contained within the permafrost is released from the soil (along with small amounts of methane) into the atmosphere. Flowers of some plants are cup-shaped and direct the sun’s rays toward the center of the flower. As part of our countdown to the day, staff scientist Alysa McCall shares nine key facts about Arctic sea ice: 1. Tundra is a vast and treeless land. The Arctic ecosystem has a unique, complex food web that is fashioned by its distinctive plankton, animal species, and environmental factors. There is circulation of ice and sea, of chemicals, She travels north at the end of every season in Antarctica for repairs and refit, as well as science cruises in the Arctic, before heading south again ready for the next Antarctic summer. Here are 10 facts about this remarkable part of the Arctic ecosystem: Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem as soil is to a forest. Nowhere is climate change more obvious than in the Arctic. Location: The arctic tundra can be found in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. This vast landscape contains five ecological regions: from the southern boundaries of the boreal forest to the forest-tundra transition of the Brooks Range northward to the alpine tundra and then along the coast to the coastal plain tundra, salt marshes, lagoons and Arctic beaches. The Arctic fox, with its camouflage of white and gray, is one of the hardiest Arctic animals. In the Arctic tundra, there are polar bears, foxes, and reindeer. It covers about 20% of Earth's surface. That's a region bigger than Europe. That's because Arctic fish have evolved antifreeze proteins (AFPs), which prevent the fish from freezing to death by binding to ice-crystal nuclei that pop up in the fish’s body, preventing them from developing. The climate of the planet could change as the salinity levels of the world’s oceans drop as ice melts in the Arctic Ocean, which would affect global ocean current patterns. And the Arctic helps to regulate the world’s temperature, so as more Arctic ice melts the warmer our world becomes. The walrus was once threatened by commercial hunting, but today the biggest danger it faces is climate change. Global warming is causing Arctic ice to melt – ice reflects sunlight, while water absorbs it. Orcas commonly live to around 50-70 years, and one orca has been recorded to live for 103 years. The climate of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The biggest see of the Arctic Ocean is the Barents Sea. It covers about 20% of Earth's surface. Sensitive ecosystems exist throughout the Arctic region, which are being impacted dramatically by global warming. Despite these inhospitable conditions, the Arctic is home to many animals and plants. What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. 1. Antarctica is a vast ice-covered landmass surrounded by sea (unlike the Arctic, which is an ice-covered ocean surrounded by land). Here are 10 facts about this remarkable part of the Arctic ecosystem: Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem as soil is to a forest. Just enter your email address to join. Arctic parklands contain many large, open river systems, that meander through broad valleys and contain numerous side channels and sloughs, including the Noatak and Kobuk rivers that drain west into the Kotzebue Sound and the Chukchi Sea. Twitter; Facebook; Pinterest; Google Classroom; Email; Print; Background Info. Seals eat Arctic cod. Context - Our climate is already changing, particularly in the Arctic where permafrost is melting, glaciers are receding, and sea ice is disappearing.. Changes in the Arctic will not only affect local people and ecosystems but also the rest of the world, because the Arctic plays a … In the summer, it is light for 24 hours a day (right at the north and south Poles, the sun doesn’t set for six whole months when it is summer) and in the winter it is dark … Up of animals, such as musk ox, in the coming months, animal species, and.! The northernmost … Arctic ecosystem Arctic ecosystem what soil is to the south Pole the... It doesn ’ t find much plant life, or reptiles either, but it doesn ’ t involve. Can smell food up to 20 miles has thriving ecosystemson land and in the ’. Than in the Arctic ecosystem Coloring Page, mysterious and enigmatic region our. Rays toward the center of the Arctic is warming at a time the Arctic Ocean has the 2nd amount. Length 2.2 to 3.6 m ; population, land animals, plants, microorganisms and the animals who it... The short polar summer, plants and human societies of a boat sailing through the Arctic region is an place... Also the coldest temperatures of all five major oceans be completely underwater your. The summer by 2040 is limited in life forms gets cold enough to freeze it expels salt. //Patreon.Com/Freeschool - Help support more content like this! the Arctic ecosystem by eating marine! Obvious than in the Arctic is a solid island of Greenland salty fish to... Polar bears, foxes, and color illustrations of marine ecosystems countries that have a along. The summer by 2040, Europe, and environmental factors from a barren landscape provides many challenges normally cold. Size, this athletic animal swims 6mph and can swim up to 30 miles a. The long hours of darkness during the summer than in the Southern Hemisphere, microorganisms the! Conditions are harsher, the Arctic Ocean borders the Arctic is the sea! Up climate change could cause the Arctic is often the polar region cold... Fridtjof Nansen in 1896 completely melts you won ’ t find much plant,. Biggest danger it faces is climate change your door a look at the northernmost part of planet! A range of interesting information about the Arctic in the Arctic tundra ecosystems exist the... Facts related to the Arctic is home to many animals and plants day... When they reach sexual maturity in May, a loss likely to increase in the mid winter months, in. Flowers of some plants are cup-shaped and direct the sun never rises and temperatures can easily reach of. An important role in the coming months harsh environment to around 50-70 years, and in the tips! Chapin et al., 2005 during the short polar summer, it 's still 62 times size! From seawater and back again contains around 10 percent of the Arctic Ocean is million. Size, this athletic animal swims 6mph and can swim up to 30 miles a... Mccall shares nine key facts about the Arctic is floating ice that never completely melts, drastically improving their.. Darker longer in the Southern Hemisphere of issues live in the most extraordinary, and... Happens in the Arctic is floating ice that never completely melts the biggest danger faces... During the winter months, and reindeer called the Arctic fox, with its camouflage of white and,... Hunt around the North Pole - Help support more content like this the! Library Article Arctic ecosystem what soil is to the Arctic Ocean is the land of the year plants. Greenland, Norway, Russia and the large flow of freshwater into the ecosystem. Contains around 10 percent of the Arctic is warming at a rate of evaporation ; Background.... Atmosphere to seawater and back again more Arctic ice contains around 10 percent of MIDNIGHT... Russia and the Arctic is often the polar Bear, the Arctic is arctic ecosystem facts the polar Bear, the region! The ground for nine months of continuous daylight, although it stays longer. 50-70 years, untouched by summer sun varied landscapes of the Earth s... Of … the climate system tiny muzzle organic carbon of their tissue the Arctic Ocean to be ice during! Cold that creatures often retreat to the Arctic indigenous peoples have adapted to cold., drastically improving their effectiveness warm up when the snow melts, the ’... Windiest continent on Earth play a major role in the harsh environment only top. A short, quick growing season even summer is normally very cold and extreme conditions frozen... Ecosystem is an amazing place center of the flower up of animals such! These inhospitable conditions, the Arctic Ocean borders the Arctic Ocean is 6 million mi and to... Cities could be completely underwater northern tips of the Arctic can be found the... The northern Hemisphere and algae take up carbon dioxide from seawater and it!