Polar+Marine

Biome: Polar Marine By Taylor Thomas

Destination:  ﻿The Arctic 

General Conditions:
Conditions are cold, with an average annual precipitation less than 100 mm per year, and an average annual temperature of less than 5º (which implies precipitation is mostly in the form of snow). Not only is precipitation and temperature low, permafrost is immensely evident. Keep in mind, permafrost is formed in the Arctic's warmer weather conditions and snow acts as an insulator, often inhibiting its formation. Summers are short, lasting merely 6 to 10 weeks; however, temperatures are above freezing and daylight occurs 24 hours a day (all day!). Therefore, according to marietta.edu, plant growth has the potential to become "explosive!" On the other hand, however, the sun barely rises in the winter, and the Arctic is kept in near constant darkness. According to blueplanetbiomes.org, the area in question is an "extreme weather biome" due to its "strong and drying winds" and harsh weather conditions.

Example of Native Species:

 * 1) The Walrus
 * 2) The Polar Bear
 * 3) The Ringed Seal
 * 4) Northern Fur Seal
 * 5) The Bowhead and Narwhal
 * 6) The Polar Cod

Non-native or Invasive Species:

 * 1) The Atlantic Salmon
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Freshwater Fist (non-native pike)
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Arctic Fox
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Many Seabird Species
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Purple Loosestrife and Orange Hawkweed

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> The Atlantic Salmon make way for the Arctic through the escape of fish farms in Washington state and British Columbia, according to seagrant.uaf.edu. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> According to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, the Arctic fox was introduced in the 1800's for economical reasons (fur farming) and has since diminished seabird, shorebird, and waterfowl populations, which hold an integral role in the Arctic's ecosystem. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> According to AISWG (Alaska Invasive Species Working Group), the purple loosestrife and orange hawkweed are invasive plants with harmful affects on native species.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Indicator Species:

 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Polar Bear
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Arctic Finfish (nearly 240 species)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Since the polar bear is the topmost animal in the food chain, it is safe to assume that all parts of the food chain have a direct or indirect effect on many aspects of the polar bear, especially its population. If plankton are lacking, then fish will be lacking, and therefore food for the polar bear will be scarce. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Arctic's fish species could also be considered an indicator species as fish are greatly affected by many various aspects of the habitat. Fluctuating salinity, temperature, water pollution, acidity, and plankton all directly affect fish populations. Decreased fish populations could signal increased water pollution, pH, and so forth.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Keystone Species:

 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Polar Bear
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Seal
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Arctic Finfish

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> The presence of the Polar Bear controls nearly all other species populations. Without the Polar Bear, many populations would rise, dramatically, like the seal, which in turn would affect the entire food chain. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Conversely, throughout the colder months of the year, the polar bear feeds mostly off of the seal; therefore, a change in seal populations would directly affect polar bear populations, which has already been established as a keystone species. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Furthermore, the Arctic's fish greatly affect most other species. Many of the biome's species feed off of fish, salmon, cod, or what have you. Arctic fish, therefore, hold a large effect on all species. With a decrease in the fish populations, a decrease in other species, such as polar bears, seals, and whales would shortly follow.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Interspecies Competition Avoidance:
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">According to eoearth.org, interspecies competition does not occur at such rates found in other biomes. The Arctic, due to its vast space and harsh conditions, is home to a greater proportion of generalists. Generalists may be the result of fewer competitors, a more flexible niche, and the unpredictedness of food. Keep in mind, food is less available than in most other biomes, as are enemy species less prominent, reducing the need and rationale behind interspecies competition avoidance.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">The polar bear- ringed seal relationship.

 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Predator: Polar Bear
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Prey: Ringed Seal
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Both mammals can be found in the water, as well as on land. The ringed seal, a member of the arctic seal family, is quite populous. The polar bear hunts the seal, especially in the colder months; the seal is a good source of fat and nourishment for the polar bear.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Symbolic Relationship:
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Parasitism found between the polar bear and Trichinella.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> According to seaworld.com, polar bears are quite prone to Trichinella, a parasitic worm. Trichinella is contracted by the consumption of infected seals.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Current Understanding of Antarctic Climate Change (Fall 2007)
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Although the Southern Hemisphere is not exempt from global warming, it is less affected. Antarctica does indeed illustrate slower rates of the infamous global warming than its northern counterpart, the Arctic. In fact, the article states that Antarctica has decreasing temperatures and expanding sea ice. However, the article also states that cooling from stratospheric ozone depletion is stronger in the south than in the northern hemisphere. Furthermore, the text states that according to climate models, if greenhouse gases continue to rise at the rate at which they are projected, global warming will begin to counter the cooling effects of ozone depletion, resulting in increased temperatures in Antarctica.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/antarcticfactsheet

Internet Citations:
[] [] [] [] http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/polar/arctic_marine_life.html http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/04ASJ/08.27.04salmon-escape.html http://scitizen.com/biodiversity/-we-are-frightened-of-pollution-and-new-invasive-species-taking-over-_a-22-772.html http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/arctic/Awhales.html http://books.google.com/books?id=QjM0Hb3423EC&pg=PA576&lpg=PA576&dq=non-native+species+in+the+arctic&source=bl&ots=3gR8sgABHC&sig=Gl_n-94jK-7Cm2JXAhoWv6JFAeY&hl=en&ei=bmD5TMy4JIWdlgeuz_WDBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=non-native%20species%20in%20the%20arctic&f=false http://www.pulseplanet.com/dailyprogram/dailies.php?POP=1770 http://archive.greenpeace.org/climate/arctic99/reports/wildlife.html http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/invasive/pdf/news_0607.pdf http://www.eoearth.org/article/General_characteristics_of_arctic_species_and_their_adaptations_in_the_context_of_changes_in_climate_and_ultraviolet-B_radiation_levels