Download The Arctic region is found in the northernmost part of the Earth and

The Arctic region is found in the northernmost part of the Earth and includes
the North Pole region. The climate of the Arctic is extremely cold. In the
northern part of this region, the sea ice stays frozen all year. Only a thin layer
of the ground thaws for a short time with the rest being permafrost (ground
that remains at or below 00C). It might seem unlikely for life to exist in the
Arctic, but plants and animals with adaptations for the region thrive in this
frigid region.
A number of different types of animals make
their home in the Arctic. These include
carnivores such as wolverines, polar bears,
snowy owl, seals, and walruses. Omnivores in
the Arctic include ground squirrels that eat
vegetation and insects, and brown bears that
eat meat, roots, greens or berries depending on
what is available in the current season.
Herbivores in the region include musk oxen that
feed on grasses and moose and caribou which
feed on lichens and moss.
Mammals in the Arctic have thick
fur coats to help preserve their body
heat. The coat of the musk ox
shown is heavy enough to withstand
Arctic temperatures year round.
The Arctic ecosystem presents many challenges for survival. Extreme cold
and strong winds, months without any sunlight, and a short summer season
combined with a hazardous landscape are a few of the issues faced by
organisms of this region. Some areas also receive very little precipitation so
organisms must also adapt to dry conditions.
Common animal adaptations in the Arctic include:
• Insulating fur or coats for keeping the animals warm
• Coats that change colors along with the seasons
• Migration to warmer area for the winter
• Hibernation to conserve energy when food is scarce
• Extra layers of fat or blubber to insulate against the cold
• Storage of fat in spring and summer to meet energy needs in winter
when food is harder to find
Plants that live in the Arctic also have special adaptations for surviving in
this cold, harsh climate. Some common plant adaptations include:
• Plants are short and grow close to the ground for protection from the
cold and strong winds
• Fuzzy coverings on stems and leaves for added protection from cold
• Shallow roots because only the top layer of soil ever thaws out in some
areas
• The ability to produce flowers very quickly to take advantage of the
brief summer period for reproduction
Lichens and mosses are two producers that
are found in the Arctic region. Both are able
to grow directly on rock which is critical since
much of the soil remains frozen year round.
Lichens are the primary producer in the Arctic
and provide the base of many food chains
and the food web.
Arctic poppy
Arctic fox
The Arctic fox has several
adaptations to survive in the
cold. Their bodies are rounded
with short legs, ears and nose to
keep body heat from escaping.
Their paws have fur on the
bottom to help them walk
across ice when searching for
prey. Their coat changes color
with the seasons.
The Arctic poppy is a tough
plant with delicate flowers. The
plant is covered in black hairs to
absorb available sunlight and to
keep warm. The flowers also
turn to face the sun. The plant
grows in between rocks to
absorb their warmth and for
protection.
Included in the Arctic are marine
organisms that live in and around the
Arctic ocean. The food web for these
organisms begins with algae and other
phytoplankton. Large animals such as
orcas (killer whales) and polar bears eat
fish and smaller mammals such as seals.
The Arctic has many important natural resources including fish, oil, gas and
various minerals. It provides homes for many migratory birds and other
animals. The average temperatures in the Arctic are rising at a rate nearly
twice as fast as the rest of the world. Global warming is causing sea ice to
melt and threatening animals such as the polar bear and walrus. Efforts to
limit global warming include reducing carbon dioxide emissions.