CindyArcticWaters

= The Arctic Waters   =



**Organisms (The North Pole) **
 * Phytoplankton
 * Zooplankton
 * Arctic Cod
 * Beluga Whale
 * Mollusks
 * Ice Algae
 * Walrus
 * Polar Bear



**The Food Web ** In the North Pole (Arctic) there are times of the year when it is light almost all year round. During this time Autotrrophs, such as the Phytoplankton and Ice Algae, use the sun to reproduce in large amounts. The Zooplankton is a consumer and eats the Phytoplankton and the Arctic Cod eats the Zooplankton. Arctic Cod is considered a carnivore because they eat only plankton, shrimp, marine worms, and sometimes they even become cannibalistic. The Beluga Whale then eats the Arctic Cod. Beluga Whales are carnivores, they eat squid, crabs, fish, cod, ect. The sun also provides nutrients for Ice Algae to grow. Mollusks then eat the algae and the Walruses eat the Mollusks. Polar Bears are carnivores and they eat the Walruses and Beluga Whales. The climate in the environment is very harsh so the animals have had to adapt to survive in the extremely cold climate. Some animals, like the whale, have a lot of blubber to help keep them warm. Blubber is a thick layer of vascularized fat that is found on most mammals. It helps keep them warm. Other animals, like the Polar Bear, have very thick fur that helps block out wind and keep them warm. There is one animal in particular that is very different, from the rest. It is called an ice fish, Channichthyidae. This fish has no red blood cells and actually has Anti-Freeze in its blood to keep it from becoming thick and frozen. This is the only known vertabrate without hemoglobin in it's blood.

**Potential Threats ** Global Warming is a big threat to the North and South Poles. If the temperature rises to much many things can go out of balance. I'm sure all of you have seen the Global Warming commercials for "Save the Polar Bears!" If the temperature rises too much, animals like the Polar Bear will have no where to go and will all die. The fish and other animals that live in the sea are used to living in cold waters. If the water temperature rises too much these animals will not be able to live there anymore and have to move or they will all die. If the ice starts to melt that can be a big threat to both the animals that live there and to humans. The ice acts as a huge mirror which reflects some of the sun's rays from the planet. This helps the planet from getting too hot. Also, if the ice melts then all the oceans would rise and cause a lot of dangerous flooding. **Endangered/Threatened Animals ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Walrus Polar Bears Blue Whale Humpback Whale Some species of Arctic Fox Caribou Some species of Penguins And many more. **<span style="color: #00b5ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Q and A **  <span style="color: #00b5ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">How is this habitat valuable to humans? : <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We use the Arctic and Antarctica more than people may think. A lot of fishing is done in this area. Scientists also do a lot of research there. They can dig up the ice and find out how the climate has changed by looking at the layers in the snow. **<span style="color: #00b5ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Fun Fact! ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Out of the 60 species of snow algae there is one in particular that's really cool. It is called Watermelon Snow. This algae appears to be pink snow. But don't eat it! It doesn't actually taste like watermelons. This algae will dye your boots (and any other clothing that touches it) bright red. It is prevalent in Sierra Nevada. **<span style="color: #00b5ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Photos! ** Works Cited “Arctic Cod, Boreogadus saida .” arctic.uoguelph. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.arctic.uoguelph.ca/‌cpl/‌organisms/‌fish/‌marine/‌gadidae/‌arctic.htm>. “Arctic Ocean.” Wikipedia. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Arctic_Ocean#Animal_and_plant_life>. Armstrong, W. P. “Watermelon Snow A Strange Phenomenon Caused by Algal Cells of The Chlorophyta.” WaynesWorld. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://waynesword.palomar.edu/‌plaug98.htm>. “Blubber.” Wikipedia. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Blubber>. Kayar. “Marine Life in the Arctic Ocean.” Bright Hub. N.p., 9 July 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.brighthub.com/‌environment/‌science-environmental/‌articles/‌64073.aspx>. Krembs, Christopher, and Jody Deming. “Sea ice: a refuge for life in polar seas?” NOAA. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/‌essay_krembsdeming.html>. “Mollusca.” Wikipedia. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Mollusca>. Sea World. “Beluga Whales.” Sea World. Busch Gardens, 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.seaworld.org/‌animal-info/‌info-books/‌beluga/>. Viau, Elizabeth Anne. “Antarctic Food Chain.” Vtaide. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.vtaide.com/‌png/‌oceanchain.htm>.