The Poles

Overarching Question Who is responsible protecting our poles and why should they protect it?

Make Observations Polar Seas Video

What are key characteristics of the poles?

What are key characteristics of the poles? Cold Covered in Ice White Fairly Barren What do you think would be beneficial adaptations of organisms for these environments?

What are the differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic?

The Arctic

The Arctic (0° C  −40° C) The Geography Surrounded by continents Consists of mainly sea ice Icebergs are seasonal  Sea Ice takes several years to accumulate Home to native people Exploitation of Natural Resources

Mammals Endothermic, covered in full, have live birth, have mammary glands, breath with lungs How can the mammals of the Arctic survive freezing temperatures?

Mammals What are three possible effects on Polar Bears if the Arctic continues to warm?

Arctic Fox

Harp Seal

Beluga

Walrus

Narwhals

Polar Bears Polar Bears have translucent fur and black skin. Why?

The Antarctic

The Antarctic (−28.2° C  −60° C) Geography Mainly Land Ice Icebergs are year round  Sea Ice accumulates annually Surrounded by ocean No natural human population One of the driest places on Earth, how?

Krill is King Krill are planktonic crustaceans (phylum arthropods) Basis of the food web

Birds Endothermic, shelled eggs, water repellent feathers, breath with lungs Most have hollow bones but Penguins have solid bones. Why? Why can Penguins thrive in Antarctica while other organisms cannot?

Petrels

Emperor Penguin

Gentoo Penguin

Adelie Penguin

Chinstrap Penguin

Rock Hopper Penguin

What are the differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic? Native peoples Icebergs are seasonal Surrounded by continents Mainly sea ice Sea ice accumulates over years Polar Bears Sparsely populated Icebergs year round Surrounded by ocean Sea ice accumulates annually Landmass covered by ice Penguins

Environmental Issues

Effects of Climate Change

What is Climate Change? “Climate is the long-term, prevailing pattern of temperature, precipitation, and other weather variables at a given location.”- NOAA “Climate change can result in extended periods of heat and drought at one extreme and extensive glaciation at the other.” –NOAA Current Climate Change is linked to the increase in Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse Gases Gases Include: Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Water ARE gases THAT trap heat in our atmosphere, that keep our Earth from completely freezing (they are necessary) ^ in green house gases leads to an unusual warming of our atmosphere Not to be mistaken with Clorofluorocarbons

What do you observe?

Decreased Albedo  Increased Heating Albedo is the proportion of light or radiation that is reflected by a surface (Latin: whiteness) Would a black shirt or a white shirt have a higher albedo? Would the blue water or the ice have a higher albedo? How does albedo help to counteract the Greenhouse effect?

Case Study Why Climate Change Affects the Poles Differently

Climate Change on the Arctic Decrease in sea ice  Increase in permafrost melt  Increase in Methane 

Climate Change on the Arctic Decrease in sea ice  Decrease in Arctic Habitat  Decrease in Organism Population Increase in permafrost melt  Increase in Methane  Increase in Greenhouse Gases

Climate Change on the Antarctic ??? Sea Ice growing and stronger winds

Climate Change Discussion What drives the deep water circulation? Organisms are fit a certain niche, what happens when the environment changes?