Summary of "Poles Apart"

What are Polar Biomes?

• Polar biomes are cold areas found near the North and South Poles.
• They have lower temperatures, less rain, and fewer sunny days than tropical rainforests.

Where Are They Located?

• Polar biomes are between:
  • The Arctic Circle (66°33'N) and the North Pole (90°N)
  • The Antarctic Circle (66°33'S) and the South Pole (90°S)

Weather and Environment

• These places experience:
  • Freezing temperatures
  • Harsh winds
  • Frozen ground
• Most precipitation is in the form of snow.
• Six months of the year, there are very few daylight hours.

Plants and Animals

• In the Arctic, you can find:
  • Dwarf shrubs
  • Herbs
  • Lichens
  • Mosses
• Animals like caribou depend on these plants for food.
• Indigenous peoples, such as the Sami and Inuit, have learned to hunt for food, including whales, seals, and polar bears.

Life in Antarctica

• Antarctica is the coldest and windiest place on Earth with very few plants and animals.
• People only live there for science and eat food brought from ships.

What Affects Plant Growth?

• The Earth's tilt and rotation change how much sunlight the poles get.
• In winter, the poles have 24 hours of darkness, making it very cold.
• In summer, there are 24 hours of sunlight, but it's still cold because the ice reflects the heat.

Types of Polar Climates

• There are different polar climates:
  • Subarctic or cold temperate
  • Arctic or tundra
  • Ice cap climate

Importance of Krill

• In Antarctica, most animals rely on krill, a small shrimp-like creature.
• Krill eat plankton, helping to reduce carbon dioxide in the water and forming a key part of the food chain for other fish and animals.

Climate Change and Its Effects

• Scientists study polar biomes to understand climate change and its effects on food chains.
• Over the last 30 years, 75% of Arctic sea ice has melted.
• Warmer water could help more plankton grow, which might increase plant productivity (NPP) in the Arctic.

Feel free to ask more questions about polar biomes!