Arctic Ecosystems
An ecosystem is defined as any
community of living and non-living
things that work together. Individual
ecosystems can be difficult to define,
as they do not have clear boundaries;
it can be difficult to see where one
ends and another begins. There are
both abiotic and biotic factors within
ecosystems. Biotic factors are all of the
living organisms within an ecosystem,
such as fungi, plants, animals.
Abiotic factors are all of the non-living
things within an ecosystem.
There is a strong link between abiotic
and biotic factors, and if one factor is
changed or removed it can affect the
entire ecosystem; its impact cascades
through the ecosystem.
The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is an incredibly unique and harsh
ecosystem in which only a few animals can survive!
Abiotic Factors
The Tundra is one of the coldest of all of the
Earth’s ecosystems!
Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors
There are many unique abiotic factors
of the tundra including:
The species that are able to survive
due to the abiotic factors are the biotic
factors of the Tundra:
Low precipitation (less than most of the
deserts on Earth!).
Permafrost (a layer of soil beneath the
surface that is continually frozen).
The permafrost traps moisture on the
soil resulting in bogs and ponds.
Low temperatures.
High winds.
Poor soil, low in nutrients.
Low rate of decomposition of organic
matter which means soils are formed
really slowly.
Biotic Factors
The Artic Ocean has some extreme
abiotic factors including:
The Tundra
Due to these unique, harsh conditions
the biotic factors of the Arctic Ocean
are limited:
Extremely low temperatures.
Long winters.
Short summers.
Continual sunlight in the Summer and
continual darkness in the Winter.
Sea ice that covers much of the ocean
for long periods of the year – giving
animals a place to rest and live.
Very little precipitation.
Low salinity in the sea (low salt levels),
which alters as the ice melts and freezes.
Low evaporation of sea water.
Heavy fresh water inflow from rivers
and streams.
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There are several land mammals which
live on the ice such as polar bears.
These are the primary predators.
There are many blubbered marine
animals such as walruses, seals and
even whales.
Plankton and fish support this complex
food web.
Supporting all of this life are phytoplankton
and algae that produce organic
material using energy from the sun.
This food web shows
how living things in
the Tundra get their
food, and how these
nutrients and energy
are passed from animal
to animal.
There are no trees due to the harsh
conditions.
Low shrubs, mosses, grasses and lichens
have adapted to the Tundra.
Few animal species can survive on
the Tundra – primary consumers
include caribou, arctic hare, musk oxen
and lemmings, and primary predators
include arctic wolves, arctic foxes,
snowy owls and polar bears.
Mosquitos and flies provide food
for migratory birds during the summer
when the Arctic Tundra is covered in
wetlands.
Polar bear
Wolf
Highest order
Consumers
Secondary
Consumers
Arctic Fox
Arctic Hare
Lemming
Caribou/
Reindeer
Primary
Consumers
Producers
Berries
Grass
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