Antarctic Biosphere
The Antarctic Biosphere is very diverse and specialized and this page will help you to learn and focus in on some of the amazing Biosphere that liven here
The Biosphere in Antarctica is very specialized to live in very harsh cold place. The organisms that live here have to be able to tolerate cold temperatures, low precipitation, restricted sunlight and strong winds. These organisms are also having to learn and adapt to the changing atmosphere and hydrosphere in response to human interaction and climate change.
There are two types plants that live here which are small in size and take a long time to grow; Moss and Lichens. There are no land mammals as the temperatures and conditions are too extreme for them to be able to survive. However there is a range of birds, sea mammals and fish that have learnt to live in the cold environments. The most common of these animals is the penguins.
There are two types plants that live here which are small in size and take a long time to grow; Moss and Lichens. There are no land mammals as the temperatures and conditions are too extreme for them to be able to survive. However there is a range of birds, sea mammals and fish that have learnt to live in the cold environments. The most common of these animals is the penguins.
Penguins
There are 17 different species on penguins that live in Antarctica. They have adapted by finding coping mechanisms such as salt secretion, bone that are solid flat and fused together, and fat layers as well as behavioral adaptations to allow them to live in such harsh environments. These birds have no land predators and as such they are unable to fly (8). Penguins have a better hatching and chick rearing rate when the atmosphere is warmer but they have to travel further to get to their rearing sites. (9)
There are 17 different species on penguins that live in Antarctica. They have adapted by finding coping mechanisms such as salt secretion, bone that are solid flat and fused together, and fat layers as well as behavioral adaptations to allow them to live in such harsh environments. These birds have no land predators and as such they are unable to fly (8). Penguins have a better hatching and chick rearing rate when the atmosphere is warmer but they have to travel further to get to their rearing sites. (9)
Lichens
There are around 350 species of Lichens that Live in Antarctica. These have adapted to live learning to dehydrate themselves so over winter the plant structure doesn't get damaged by ice crystals. They receive water from melting snow during the spring and summer period and have a fast growth rate over the summer period. They are low and flat to the ground so are protected from the strong winds that could easily rip them apart. They have no land mammals that eat them so they can grow relatively undisturbed, and go into a hibernation stage during the winter periods where there is no sunlight. (6) (7)
There are around 350 species of Lichens that Live in Antarctica. These have adapted to live learning to dehydrate themselves so over winter the plant structure doesn't get damaged by ice crystals. They receive water from melting snow during the spring and summer period and have a fast growth rate over the summer period. They are low and flat to the ground so are protected from the strong winds that could easily rip them apart. They have no land mammals that eat them so they can grow relatively undisturbed, and go into a hibernation stage during the winter periods where there is no sunlight. (6) (7)
Interactive Resource
To see all the Biosphere in the areas that they live in plus an interactive quiz have a look at the following link of Discover Antarctica made by National Geographic. (24)
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/antarctica/
To see all the Biosphere in the areas that they live in plus an interactive quiz have a look at the following link of Discover Antarctica made by National Geographic. (24)
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/antarctica/