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 Related Knowledge (30)
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 Antarctic Ecosystems Antarctic Ecosystems
 Arctic Ecosystems Arctic Ecosystems
 Topic Overview
 ID# : 46134
 Visits: 4428
 Added: 15-Oct-2003
 Updated: 12-Jan-2004
 URL: http://www.oceansatlas.org/id/46134
 Editors
 Fabio Carocci
 Frances B. Michaelis
 Ned Cyr
 
 
 
 
Polar Ecosystems Maintained by NOAA  
        
Polar Ecosystems
 
The Arctic and Antarctic regions are both characterized by:
  • ice and snow,
  • year-round cold temperatures, and
  • drastic changes in photoperiod that prevent photosynthesis during a large part of the year.
However, there are fundamental differences that make the two polar regions very different both physically and biologically. We have a better understanding of shallow-water Antarctic ecosystems than we have of the Arctic ecosystems.

South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula with Weddell seals, Southern fur seals and Chinstrap penguins. Photo: NOAA Fisheries.
 
Antarctic Region
 
The Antarctic marine ecosystem lies in the circumpolar Southern Ocean surrounding the central continent of Antarctica. There is no inflow from rivers or sediment but nutrient rich water rises to the surface and fertilizes the Antarctic surface waters. The Antarctic fauna is far richer than the Arctic and has a high degree of endemism and biomass. Antarctic benthic communities usually have several dominant species. The fish fauna is mostly endemic and adapted to below-freezing water. The bird communities are similar at a given latitude in all parts of the Southern Ocean basin.

South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. Adelie and Chinstrap penguins. Photo: NOAA Fisheries.
 
Arctic Region
 
By contrast, the Arctic Ocean system is an isolated sea, permanently covered by ice in the center, and surrounded by landmasses. These have several large rivers that discharge sediment into the basin resulting in a substrate of particulate matter and a low-saline stratified surface layer. The Arctic fauna is impoverished and derives from the Atlantic Ocean. Arctic benthic communities are often dominated by one or only a few species. The fish fauna is generalized. There are strong differences between the bird communities at similar latitudes in different parts of the ocean basin.

Polar bears, Ursus maritimus, typically only eat the fat of their kill. From Polar Bears at Risk. Reproduced with permission from WWF© 2002 WWF-Norway. All rights reserved.

Based on Nybakken, James W. 2000 Marine Biology. An Ecological Approach. 5th Ed. Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco. 516 pp (see Related Knowledge for more details)
 
 
 
 
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News
Websites
Managing fish, game and aquatic plant resources in Alaska Alaska Department of Fish and Game Managing fish, game and aquatic plant resources in Alaska 
Research on Steller sea lions and northern fur seals Alaska Ecosystems Research on Steller sea lions and northern fur seals 
A Near-Realtime Arctic Change Indicator Website Arctic Change A Near-Realtime Arctic Change Indicator Website 
Convened by an Arctic anthropologist Arctic Circle Convened by an Arctic anthropologist Editor's Choice
Describes Australia's Antarctic Program including science and educational materials Australian Antarctic Division, Hobart, Australia Describes Australia's Antarctic Program including science and educational mater...  
Carries out most of the UK scientific research in Antarctica British Antarctic Survey Carries out most of the UK scientific research in Antarctica 
Protect and improve trust assets of Alaska natives Bureau of Indian Affairs (USA) Protect and improve trust assets of Alaska natives 
Conservation, and rational harvesting, of marine life in the Southern Ocean Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Conservation, and rational harvesting, of marine life in the Southern Ocean...  
Understanding basic geophysical processes governing the planet Earth, especially as they occur in or are relevant to Alaska. Geophysical Institute, Fairbanks, Alaska Understanding basic geophysical processes governing the planet Earth, especiall...  
Advancing knowledge, appreciation and conservation, of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean New Zealand Antarctic Institute Advancing knowledge, appreciation and conservation, of Antarctica and the South...  
Building a clear understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean ecosystems that enables effective management and sustainable use of marine resources North Pacific Research Board Building a clear understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea and Arctic Ocea...  
Working Group of the Arctic Council Program for the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group of the Arctic Council 
The programme for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment is one of the five programmes of the Arctic Council. Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment The programme for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment is one of the...  
HDTV film, photogallery, field guide and journal in Antarctica Under Antarctic Ice HDTV film, photogallery, field guide and journal in Antarctica 
Underwater photographs of identified invertebrates and vertebrates from Antarctica Underwater Field Guide to Ross Island & McMurdo Sound, Antarctica Underwater photographs of identified invertebrates and vertebrates from Antarct...  
Coastal and Marine Geology Program United States Geological Survey - Alaska Coastal and Marine Geology Program 
Research into Antarctic marine living resources US Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (AMLR) Research into Antarctic marine living resources 
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1076 Topics - 5135 Related Knowledge - 2534 Members - 34 Editors
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