1. Icecap Biome Where are icecaps found? At the north and south poles Arctic, Antarctica, Greenland

2. Temp. and Precipitation Description: Cold weather year round Permanent ice Average Temperature: -50 to 10 °F (-45 to -12 °C) Coldest temperature ever recorded: -129 °F (-89 °C) Average Precipitation 6.5 inches per year Considered a “polar desert”

3. Weather Patterns Windy: causes the temperature to drop even further Cyclone storms Below 0 °F year round

4. Plants No plants live in this biome Adaptations: no plant can survive these conditions

5. Phytoplankton Photosynthesizing single celled organisms Producers for this biome

6. Animals Killer whale Polar Bears Harbor Seals Walrus Albatross Emperor Penguins

7. Animal Adaptations Fur Layer of fat for insulation Large paws for walking on snow Swimming Can stay underwater Warm-blooded Hibernation Camouflage Flight

8. Humans? Humans do not live here but there are scientific research centers

9. Biodiversity Rating Biodiversity rating is 1 because there are so few species that live here Least biodiversity of all biomes

10. Abiotic Factors Cold temperature Sunlight or lack of sunlight Water Ice

11. Food Chain Phytoplankton – Zooplankton Herring – Penguin » Killer whale

12. Other Interesting Facts They have to cut through the ice with special ships to get the researchers where they need to go The ice sheets grow and shrink every year with the seasons

13. Other Interesting Facts During the summer months, there is only 2-3 hours of darkness During the winter months, there is only 2-3 hours of daylight

14. Other Interesting Facts Fossils of tropical plants and animals are found in Antarctica For $10,000 you can go on a cruise to Antarctica