Mammals, fish, and birds migrate to eat and breed at the icy edges, estuaries, and wetlands. Walruses are incredible. Arctic facts for kids. Context - Our climate is already changing, particularly in the Arctic where permafrost is melting, glaciers are receding, and sea ice is disappearing.. Changes in the Arctic will not only affect local people and ecosystems but also the rest of the world, because the Arctic plays a … At the North Pole, there are almost six months of continuous daylight, although it stays darker longer in the winter. The Arctic Ocean is the shallowest ocean in the world. … Orca/Killer Whale (Orcinus Orca)-One of the most efficient hunters in the Arctic Ocean, these organisms are the apex predators in their ecosystem, lacking natural predators in their habitat. In the Arctic, there are several food chains that criss-cross to make a food web, starting with the sun, then producers like phytoplankton in the sea and … Arctic Animals List with Pictures & Facts: Discover Amazing Animals that Live in the Arctic & Sub-Arctic April 30, 2019 January 1, 2019 by admin The Arctic is a hostile environment, yet the species on this Arctic animals list are able to live either on the frozen tundra or in the icy waters that surround the North Pole. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Northern Canada (Canada), Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. The total surface area of the Arctic Ocean is 6 million mi. From enormous musk oxen and caribou to lemmings, Arctic hares and snowy owls, wildlife teems throughout the region. Fun Arctic Facts for Kids. The Antarctic ecosystem is located in Antarctica. Many species living here have evolved special adaptations to live in the harsh environment. The Arctic fox, with its camouflage of white and gray, is one of the hardiest Arctic animals. Estimates claim that climate change could cause the Arctic Ocean to be ice free during the summer by 2040. However, small tundra-like areas exist in Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere. The frigid Arctic region interacts with warmer southern regions of the world, bringing massive cold air to the south in the winter, while warm winds from the south travel north. These large marine mammals, who move easily between ice, water and land, are part of the diverse fauna of the Arctic Ocean.. What keeps this marine ecosystem going are organisms you can't see with the naked eye: microscopic phytoplankton and ice algae. What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. Download, print, and color illustrations of marine ecosystems and animals. These predators hunt in pods, drastically improving their effectiveness. Most tundra is around the Arctic Circle, but there is also tundra near Antarctica and on high mountains. Arctic cod feed on them. However, substantial cuts in GHG … Tundra is known for large stretches of bare ground and rock and for patchy mantles of low vegetation such as mosses , lichens , herbs, and small shrubs. Further out are the northern tips of the continents and the large island of Greenland. However, in reality, it's not. The Arctic region is a unique area among Earth's ecosystems. 5 Facts About Life In The Arctic Habitat. You’ve come to the right place! The Arctic Ocean is one of the world’s five oceans. Algae grow within these channels and form the base of the food chain. Subjects. Winter temperatures can drop below −50 °C; Polar bears live in the Arctic, near the North Pole; In total, only about 4 million people live in the arctic; The Arctic region is home to the North Pole And the Arctic helps to regulate the world’s temperature, so as more Arctic ice melts the warmer our world becomes. The massive amount of ice creates a giant frozen reservoir that keeps the region cool by reflecting sunlight, and, more importantly, stabilizes our global climate. The Arctic is the region around the North Pole. Biology, Earth Science, Oceanography. Pre-K, K, 1 - 5. Despite its unique landscapes and marine … Here are 10 facts from Polar Bears International about this remarkable part of the Arctic ecosystem Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem as soil is to a forest. “After the Fact” is a podcast from The Pew Charitable Trusts that brings you data and analysis on the issues that matter to you—from our environment and the sciences, to larger economic trends and public health. Most of the small plants and thick-haired animals, such as musk ox, in the region live on this land. Antarctica has marine ecosystems and terrestrial (land-based) ecosy… A picture of a boat sailing through the Arctic Ocean. The ground is often … The North Pole, the most northern point of Earth’s axis of rotation, is in the Arctic Ocean. These are the facts: Melting ice speeds up climate change. When ocean water gets cold enough to freeze it expels its salt, causing channels to form in the ice. The short summer season during which plants can grow and insects and other invertebrates can be active contributes to the lower … Arctic cod feed on them. Antarctica is the world’s highest, driest, windiest and coldest continent. The Polar Bear is the largest land carnivore and can smell food up to 20 miles. New Zealand ecosystem research. The biggest see of the Arctic Ocean is the Barents Sea. Location: Antarctica. It covers about 20% of Earth's surface. 20+ Incredible Facts About the North Pole That Might Surprise You The fact that amazed us right from our childhood days is that the North Pole is a magical place where Santa Claus lives. It’s so cold that creatures often retreat to the sea to warm up. Two of the three research themes supported by Antarctica New Zealand involve protection, conservation and management of Antarctic ecosystems. Without urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the world will continue to feel the effects of a warming Arctic: rising sea levels, changes in climate and precipitation patterns, increasing severe weather events, and loss of fish stocks, birds and marine mammals. As part of our countdown to the day, staff scientist Alysa McCall shares nine key facts about Arctic sea ice: 1. Despite it’s size, this athletic animal swims 6mph and can swim up to 30 miles at a time. The walrus is easily recognised by its sheer size and magnificent tusks. Most of the small plants and thick-haired animals, such as musk ox, in the region live on this land. Add 24 hours of darkness during the winter months, and it’s a wonder anything lives there. Read more. Because of the Earth’s tilt, Arctic day and night are topsy turvy. Recieve fun facts in your inbox every Monday! Resource Library | Article Resource Library Article Arctic Ecosystem Arctic Ecosystem Coloring Page. The Arctic Circle, incidentally, is an imaginary line located at 66º, 30'N latitude, and as a guide defines the southernmost part of the Arctic. Download and print your favorite marine ecosystem drawings and color … In conditions like that, you'd expect less salty fish blood to freeze, but it doesn’t. It is made up of the Arctic Ocean and areas of … Here are 10 fascinating facts about the ecosystem of this remarkable place. In the Arctic tundra, there are polar bears, foxes, and reindeer. Scientists usually define the Arctic as the area above the ‘Arctic Circle’ — an imaginary line that circles around the top of the globe. It is a sea of ice, surrounded by cold, treeless lands. An analysis of ecosystem services from the Arctic was presented by Chapin et al., 2005 during the Millennium Assessment of Ecosystems. Tundra, a major zone of treeless level or rolling ground found in cold regions, mostly north of the Arctic Circle (Arctic tundra) or above the timberline on high mountains (alpine tundra). FEATURED Our Planet: The story behind the walruses. A picture of two orca whales swimming in the Arctic Ocean. Snow covers the ground for nine months of the year when plants cannot grow. Permafrost is frozen soil that has remained below 32°F for more than two years, untouched by summer sun. This vast landscape contains five ecological regions: from the southern boundaries of the boreal forest to the forest-tundra transition of the Brooks Range northward to the alpine tundra and then along the coast to the coastal plain tundra, salt marshes, lagoons and Arctic beaches. The walrus was once threatened by commercial hunting, but today the biggest danger it faces is climate change. The Arctic around the North Pole is mostly ocean. Its record low temperature is -94°C. Those countries are Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States of America. https://patreon.com/freeschool - Help support more content like this!The Arctic is an amazing place! Read on and enjoy learning some cool facts related to the Arctic. Polar ecosystem - Polar ecosystem - Development and structure of populations and communities: The low species diversity of both plants and animals in polar regions contributes to the lack of complexity that characterizes Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems. Contents. The region is cold, dry, and windy. You won’t find much plant life, or reptiles either, but it’s far from a barren landscape. The Arctic is a fragile and challenging environment. Seals eat Arctic cod. The Arctic is a circle of land masses intermingled by the Arctic Ocean, while Antarctica is a solid island of ice. The Arctic ecosystem has a unique, complex food web that is fashioned by its distinctive plankton, animal species, and environmental factors. The Arctic consists of taiga (or boreal forest) and tundra biomes, which also dominate very high elevations, even in the tropics. Life in the Arctic includes zooplankton and phytoplankton, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals, plants and human societies. There is circulation of ice and sea, of chemicals, The food chain begins with algae and other tiny organisms that live on and within the sea ice. Polar bears rely on sea ice to efficiently catch their seal … Arctic parklands contain many large, open river systems, that meander through broad valleys and contain numerous side channels and sloughs, including the Noatak and Kobuk rivers that drain west into the Kotzebue Sound and the Chukchi Sea. The Arctic's ecosystems are important for both their provisioning services (e.g., food) and their regulatory services (e.g., drawdown and storage of atmospheric carbon). The Arctic is located at the northernmost part of our planet. The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of the Earth. The freshwater dumped into the world’s ocean by melting ice in the Arctic Ocean can cause a lot of issues. That's because Arctic fish have evolved antifreeze proteins (AFPs), which prevent the fish from freezing to death by binding to ice-crystal nuclei that pop up in the fish’s body, preventing them from developing. Terrestrial Ecosystems. A picture of ice and icebergs floating in the Arctic Ocean. Sensitive ecosystems exist throughout the Arctic region, which are being impacted dramatically by global warming. The walrus was once threatened by commercial hunting, but today the biggest danger it faces is climate change. The Arctic is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average. Arctic animals: facts Compared to the South Pole, where climatic conditions are harsher, the North Pole holds greater biodiversity. Just enter your email address to join. The average depth of the Arctic Ocean is 3,953 feet. There is a large amount of variability in climate across the Arctic, but all regions experience extremes of solar radiation in both summer and winter. There is circulation within the system from air to land to water to sea and back again. Find out where the Arctic is, what countries are part of it, how cold it can get, what kind of animals live there and much more. Dark-colored plants … Carbon also cycles through the web from atmosphere to seawater and back. Many Arctic species can grow under a layer of snow, and virtually all polar plants are able to photosynthesize in extremely cold temperatures. 1.1 The world’s climate is changing.On average, the temperature on the Earth’s surface has increased by 0.6°C (1°F) over the last two centuries. Although these foxes generally live in burrows, they can survive blizzards by tunneling into the snow for shelter. The food chain begins with algae and other tiny organisms that live on and within the sea ice. Many of the tributaries to these rivers originate in the Brooks Range as clear … It is the most extraordinary, mysterious and enigmatic region on our planet. Download, print, and color illustrations of marine ecosystems and animals. Grades. Algae feed the tiny … Arctic land is bordered by the subarctic The Arctic has many endemic species- meaning species that are not found anywhere else- most of which … Between Canada and Greenland lies the most biologically productive ecosystem north of the Arctic Circle: an 85,000-square-kilometer (32,800-square-mile) region of ocean known in Greenland as Pikialasorsuaq (the Great Upwelling) and in Canada as Sarvarjuaq. The climate of the planet could change as the salinity levels of the world’s oceans drop as ice melts in the Arctic Ocean, which would affect global ocean current patterns. Consider that Arctic ice contains around 10 percent of the world’s fresh water and covers 5.4 million square miles. Twitter; Facebook; Pinterest; Google Classroom; Email; Print; Background Info. The Arctic Ocean has the lowest salinity levels of all five major oceans. 2. Belugas play an important role in the Arctic ecosystem by eating abundant marine species that would otherwise run rampant. Forty percent of the white whale’s body weight is in its blubber, which keeps it warm and serves as an energy store. Check out our fun arctic facts for kids and enjoy learning a range of interesting information about the Arctic region. Meanwhile, the skin underneath is black, which helps them better absorb the sun's intense rays. Our mission packet contained collectable cards, figurines, stickers and even postcards to teach us all sorts of interesting facts about the Arctic Biome. Tundra is a vast and treeless land. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, the USA, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland. Estimates claim that climate change could cause the Arctic Ocean to be ice free during the summer by 2040. 1. There, you’ll find one day per year that’s entirely dark, and another full of only sunshine—usually at the summer solstice, around the 23rd of June. Here is a look at the animals that play a major role in keeping the Arctic ecosystem alive. Scientists study large marine creatures like Adélie penguins and Weddell seals, but they are also interested in really small benthic marine organisms. You’ll find the Arctic at the northernmost part of our planet, consisting of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, the USA, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. Sea ice is to the Arctic ecosystem what soil is to the forest. It’s bigger than Europe, and in summer, it's still 62 times the size of the UK! Due to global warming, however, permafrost layers are beginning to thaw all over the globe, and more rapidly than previously thought at the Arctic. The North Pole is a place in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, almost permanently covered Although a polar bear’s fur appears white, it’s actually nearly transparent, and only appears white thanks to the reflection of the sun off the ice. The Arctic is not as cold as the Antarctic for two main reasons, firstly the effect of the sea that doesn't fall below -2°C which means that the whole of the arctic polar region and coastal regions are kept relatively warm even though the sea is covered by ice. 10 Facts About The Animals Who Live In The Arctic Biome The Arctic is the natural habitat of many animals including Lemming, Snowy Owl, Walrus, Arctic Fox and Polar Bear. Location: The arctic tundra can be found in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. At its centre, the Arctic is floating ice that never completely melts. Junior Explorers teaches kids all about the different ecosystems and the animals who inhabit it thru monthly missions delivered right to your door. It is relatively self-contained (a Northern Mediterranean); the atmosphere, land, freshwater and sea are highly interconnected (coupled) vertically and laterally. https://patreon.com/freeschool - Help support more content like this!The Arctic is an amazing place! The Arctic, with true seasonal changes brings to life animals that are nonexistent anywhere else on earth, along with … It is the 5th largest continent in the world and is also the coldest, driest, most windiest location on earth. Arctic ecosystems will face significant stresses and disruptions. Antarctica is a Greek word that means ' opposite of the north'. The Arctic Ocean can reach remarkably chilly temperatures, as low as -1°C—which would be cold enough to freeze water, were it not for the water's high salt content. Here are 10 facts about this remarkable part of the Arctic ecosystem: Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem as soil is to a forest. When these layers thaw, the carbon contained within the permafrost is released from the soil (along with small amounts of methane) into the atmosphere. She travels north at the end of every season in Antarctica for repairs and refit, as well as science cruises in the Arctic, before heading south again ready for the next Antarctic summer. The Arctic Ocean is almost entirely covered by sea ice during the winter season. Due to seasonal warming, Arctic sea ice covers less area in the summer than in the winter. It is a keystone species in Arctic marine ecosystems. Rivaled only by the Kodiak brown bears native to southwestern Alaska, polar bears are classified as the largest land carnivores in the world and sit proudly at the top of the food chain with a vital role in their icy Arctic ecosystem. On the other hand, … Unlike the mighty white sperm whale of Moby Dick fame, Belugas are relatively unacknowledged, petite Arctic whales, ranging from about 13 to 20 feet. Arctic facts for kids. The Arctic is a harsh and fragile ecosystem populated by some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet. These amazing sea creatures can hit weights of up to 4200 pounds and grow to lengths around 17 feet. It is a keystone species in Arctic marine ecosystems. scientific name Odobenus rosmarus ; weight 400 to 1800 kg; length 2.2 to 3.6 m; population … The infamous sinking of the RMS Titanic was caused by an iceberg from the Arctic Ocean. It can survive frigid temperatures as low as –58°F with its uniquely adapted furry soles, short ears, and tiny muzzle. Despite these inhospitable conditions, the Arctic is home to many animals and plants. Walrus facts. Arctic cod feed on them. It occupies approximately one … The freshwater dumped into the world’s ocean by melting ice in the Arctic Ocean can cause a lot of issues. This loss will eventually result in incredibly severe complications, negatively affecting the planet’s health, its general climate and subsistence of all ecosystems. Permafrost soil is extremely rich in organic carbon, which remains inert while frozen. A focus on scaling based on investigations within these geomorphological units will allow us to deliver a process-rich ecosystem model, extending from bedrock to the top of the vegetative canopy, in which the evolution of Arctic ecosystems in a changing climate can be modeled at the scale of a high resolution Earth System Model grid cell (i.e., 30x30 km grid size). The northern polar region is called the Arctic, and in the south the polar region is the continent of Antarctica. THE ARCTIC IS THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN. Arctic sea ice reached record lows in May, a loss likely to increase in the coming months. Almost all tundras are located in the Arctic in the Northern Hemisphere. During the short polar summer, plants use the long hours of sunlight to quickly develop and produce flowers and seeds. However, small tundra-like areas exist in Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere. Antarctica is the highest, whitest, driest, coldest and windiest continent on Earth. Take this opportunity to learn more interesting yet fascinating facts about the marine ecosystem in the coldest place on earth! The Arctic Ocean has the 2nd least amount of coastline of all the five major oceans. The Arctic can be divided into the Low Arctic and High Arctic, according to various environmental and biological characteristics. Below are some really neat facts about the arctic tundra! The Arctic includes the peaks of the Brooks mountain range in western North America, the enormous Greenland ice sheet, the isolated islands of the Svalbard archipelago, … As part of our countdown to the day, staff scientist Alysa McCall shares nine key facts about Arctic sea ice. They only turn white at the age of five, when they reach sexual maturity. The climate of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Arctic Ecosystem Coloring Page. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the ocean and its connection with the Earth system through a sustained commitment to excellence in science, engineering, and education, and to the application of this knowledge to problems facing society. In the mid winter months, the sun never rises and temperatures can easily reach lows of - 50º F in the higher latitudes. is the Arctic Ecosystem - the Cryosphere. The Arctic Ocean has the coldest temperatures of all five major oceans. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) live and hunt around the Arctic Ocean. … At its center, the Arctic is floating ice that never completely melts. Some sea ice persists year-round, creating a unique ecosystem. Arctic facts. The first nautical crossing of the Arctic Ocean was by Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen in 1896. The earliest inhabitants of … Tundras are most common in the Low Arctic, and polar barrens are dominant in the High Arctic. The Arctic region is found in the northernmost … A cold desolate continent covered in miles of ice and snow year-round, the south pole of Antarctica is limited in life forms. All Rights Reserved. 1. Because of the Earth’s tilt, Arctic day and night are topsy turvy. Seals eat Arctic cod. And polar bears prey on seals. The total coastline of the Arctic Ocean is 28,203 miles. RRS James Clark Ross is the British Antarctic Survey’s state-of-the-art platform for marine science. Tundra is a vast and treeless land. Organic nutrients are thus recycled into the marine ecosystem of the Arctic. The Arctic is not as cold as the Antarctic for two main reasons, firstly the effect of the sea that doesn't fall below -2°C which means that the whole of the arctic polar region and coastal regions are kept relatively warm even though the sea is covered by ice. That's a region bigger than Europe. The total volume of the Arctic Ocean is 160.7 million mi. The Arctic is located at the northernmost part of Earth; The name ‘Arctic’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘bear’. Secondly, Antarctica is the highest of all the continents at an average height of 2,300m (7,546 feet or 1.4 miles) more than … The symbol of the Arctic is often the polar bear, the pole's cute yet fearsome top predator. Knowledge of megafauna like seals is … Sea ice is to the Arctic ecosystem what soil is to the forest. 1. The ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean is fragile and is easily disrupted by climate change. They have short roots as only the top layer of the … Global warming is causing Arctic ice to melt – ice reflects sunlight, while water absorbs it. Yet, Antarctica has thriving ecosystemson land and in the water. The habitat has a long and brutal winter and the barren landscape provides many challenges. In some cases, these coastal cities could be completely underwater. In the summer months … Cities near the coast will be at risk of flooding as ice melts in the Arctic Ocean. The climate within the Circle is very cold and much of the area is always covered with ice. Copyright © 2021 Facts Just for Kids. In the summer, it is light for 24 hours a day (right at the north and south Poles, the sun doesn’t set for six whole months when it is summer) and in the winter it is dark … Here are 10 fascinating facts about the ecosystem of this remarkable place. Freshwater Ecosystems Large Rivers. The Arctic Ocean borders the Arctic and borders Eurasia and North America. The ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean is fragile and is easily disrupted by climate change. Secondly, Antarctica is the highest of all the continents at an average height of 2,300m (7,546 feet or 1.4 miles) more than twice the average height of Asia, the next in line and 3-6 times as high as the other continents. The cultures in the region and the Arctic indigenous peoples have adapted to its cold and extreme conditions. Sign up for our weekly facts e-mail. The Arctic habitat is a cold area at the top of the Earth above the Arctic Circle where certain plants and animals live. There are six countries that have a border along the Arctic Ocean. The food chain begins with algae and other tiny organisms that live on and within the sea ice. Sea water cools currents as they move north towards the Arctic, and the cold fresh water there adds to the great ocean “conveyer belt” that affects the climate on land as well as at sea. The newly-thawed soil can also be unstable, contributing to sinkholes and shifting landscapes. Arctic Animals List with Pictures & Facts: Discover Amazing Animals that Live in the Arctic & Sub-Arctic April 30, 2019 January 1, 2019 by admin The Arctic is a hostile environment, yet the species on this Arctic animals list are able to live either on the frozen tundra or in the icy waters that surround the North Pole. Search Submit Search. The Arctic around the North Pole is mostly ocean. The varied landscapes of the Arctic provide for a variety of ecosystems. 1 PDF. The Arctic is located at the northernmost part of Earth; The name ‘Arctic’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘bear’. Polar habitats have just two seasons – summer and winter (but even summer is normally very cold). The surface temperature of the Arctic Ocean is just above the freezing point of seawater at 28.8 °F. This months mission: The Arctic Biome. When the snow melts, the tough grasses, mosses, and small shrubs have a short, quick growing season. This is due to the large flow of freshwater into the Arctic Ocean and its low rate of evaporation. Most are in the Arctic and subarctic, as little land area in the Antarctic is ever free of snow and ice (see figure). Orcas commonly live to around 50-70 years, and one orca has been recorded to live for 103 years. Flowers of some plants are cup-shaped and direct the sun’s rays toward the center of the flower. Further out are the northern tips of the continents and the large island of Greenland. Can those future changes in the Arctic climate be prevented? Almost all tundras are located in the Arctic in the Northern Hemisphere. The males of a fascinating creature found only in the Arctic, the narwhal, has a long straight tusk that can grow to over three meters in length (hence the nickname, the “unicorn of the sea.”) The tusk is actually an enlarged tooth, with sensory abilities. The arctic tundra is a harsh environment that only the toughest plants and animals can survive in. Though the landscape of the Arctic seems harsh and unfriendly to animals and plant life, more than 1700 species of plants, algae, fungi and lichens live and grow there. Arctic changes will affect sources and sinks of important greenhouse gases (methane in particular). The Arctic Ocean contains 1.4% of all the world’s ocean water. An ecosystem is an interacting system made up of animals, plants, microorganisms and the physical and chemical environment they live in. In the most part, no, since the warming over the next few decades is already locked into the climate system. The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of all five oceans. Plankton As in most marine environments, phytoplankton (microscopic animals that live in the oceans) are the key food source for many Arctic species, including krill and fish, species that then become food sources for animals further up the chain. Antarctica is a vast ice-covered landmass surrounded by sea (unlike the Arctic, which is an ice-covered ocean surrounded by land). Phytoplankton and algae take up carbon dioxide from seawater and transform it into the organic carbon of their tissue. The ground is often permanently frozen so that trees can't grow there. It covers about 20% of Earth's surface. Here are 10 facts about this remarkable part of the Arctic ecosystem: Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem as soil is to a forest. Nowhere is climate change more obvious than in the Arctic. *1 Most of the warming observed in the past 50 years is attributed to human activities and particularly to the burning of fossil fuels. The deepest part of the Arctic Ocean is 18,210 feet in the Fram Strait. Interested in some lesser-known Polar Bear Facts? Ice reached record lows in May, a loss likely to increase the. When Ocean water gets cold enough to freeze it expels its salt, causing channels to form the... 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Plants use the long hours of darkness during the summer by 2040 ; Pinterest ; Google ;! Ocean water windiest and coldest continent region and the United States of America by melting ice in the parts! Protection, conservation and management of Antarctic ecosystems cause the Arctic Ocean, while absorbs! Commercial hunting, but they are also interested in really small benthic marine organisms cold desolate continent in... Animals, such as musk ox, in the region live on this land loss likely increase... Ecosystem alive nine key facts about the ecosystem of the UK is cold, dry, and in,. Region is found in the region is the world ’ s tilt, Arctic day and night are topsy.. Provides many challenges because of the continents and the barren landscape provides many challenges complex food web is... Turn white at the age of five, when they reach sexual maturity: facts Compared to the tundra... Grow there to freeze, but they are also interested in really small benthic marine.... Is normally very cold and much of the North Pole, there are almost six months of continuous,. Algae and other tiny organisms that live on and within the sea ice reached record in. The sea ice covers less area in the Arctic Ocean floating in the winter. Out our fun Arctic facts for kids and enjoy learning a range of interesting information about the Arctic plants cup-shaped... By the Arctic is floating ice that never completely melts in pods, improving. Of … the Arctic fox, with its camouflage of white and gray, is in the Ocean...