By: Chanelle, Zildjian and Jordana The Arctic By: Chanelle, Zildjian and Jordana

Meteorologist/Geographer A biome is a large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region. With sudden changes through global warming because of human activity, the species of the Arctic are not adapting. Thus affecting the “Food Web”. The artic has long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

Climate Change Climate change is highly effecting the arctic. If temperatures continue to drop, polar bears and other organisms can not move further north, so they may go extinct. Climate change is the worst threat to Arctic biodiversity. Temperatures are expected to increase more in the artic.

The tundra is known for its abundance of water. Grass is uncommon The tundra is known for its abundance of water. Grass is uncommon. The wet ground is instead covered with lichens and low-lying bush. The permafrost and short growing season prevents the growth of any large vegetation. The soil is also quite poor in nutrients. The caribou eat lichens when the temperature gets super cold. The arctic fox instinctively knows to follow the caribou. The caribou helps the fox get its food by digging up mammals as it finds its own food to eat.

Major Cities By noon the sky turns dark in Murmansk. During the polar night the citizens will not see the sun for more than a month. Norilsk has an extremely harsh weather and is covered with snow for about 250–270 days a year, with snow storms for about 110–130 days. Murmansk Norilsk

Animals Arctic fox Arctic wolf Ringed seal Hooded seal

Predator/Prey Relationship The arctic fox pups eats the lemming for energy. The lemming eats shrubs to obtain energy.

Adaptations Structural Physiological Behavioral Arctic fox uses thick tail to keep warm. Arctic foxes can have 14 or more pups. Orcas hunt in pods to ensure help towards another. Ringed seal has flippers to help navigate in the water. Belugas have a blubber to keep them warm against the freezing water. Polar bears hibernate in the colder seasons to save energy. Snowshoe Hares have white fur to blend into the snow. Orcas use echolocation to help navigate and find food. Snowshoe Hare form herds to stay warm.

Invasive species European Green Crabs: Green crabs compete with native crabs and lobsters for food and shelter. This reduces fish diversity that can destroy shell fish (quahog, oyster, clam and scallop) beds and threaten shellfish aquaculture. This impacts the eel fisheries, by damaging the eels when they enter the traps. Ballast Water: By filling and discharging ballast tanks, organisms are sucked in, transported and then deposited in other parts of the world.  

Food Chain & Food Web

Species at Risk Polar bears: The total polar bear population is divided into 19 units or subpopulations. Three subpopulations are in decline. There is a high estimated risk of future decline due to climate change. Ongoing loss of their sea ice habitat is resulting from climate change. Polar bears were listed as a threatened species in the US under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008.

Plants Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi) Bearberry leaves have been historically used to treat cystitis, urolithiasis, and other urinary tract infections in European folk medicine The roots are used as a tea to cure constant coughing The stem can also help women recover faster after child birth

Labrador Tea Used historically in folk medicine for skin complaints. (people apply it by tea, bath water, or directly to the skin, colds, and malignancies) Women use it to cause an abortion or treat “female disorders” Used to treat a sore throat, chest congestions, coughs, lung infections, and other chest ailments. They also take it for diarrhea, kidney problems, joint, and muscle pain (rheumatism), headaches, and cancer

Adaptations Bearberry: A low growing plant that uses an adaptation to stay out of the way of the ripping Arctic wind. It also favors places like behind rocks to stay out of the wind. The leathery leaves keeps moisture and heat inside the plant. Labrador Tea: Has fuzz on the underside of the leaves. It is believed to be an adaptation to retain moisture. The brown hairs comb moisture from ground fog, and it acts like a sponge to retain water. Arctic Willow: Grows close to the ground, to get out of the way of the Arctic wind. It also has fuzz to retain heat for the plant. It has little hairs on it’s leaves to help with insulation.

Pyramid of Energy

Species at Risk New research shows that a warmer climate will have different consequences for plant species in the Arctic. Most species are expected to lose part of their current habitat. Example: Glacier Crowfoot Specie only grows on mountain tops and has little gene flow between populations. This species is expected to lose a large part of it’s genetic diversity in a warmer climate