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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.