Published On Jun 21, 2024
In this module, we think about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Antarctica, focusing on: (i) the influence of sea ice, and its seasonal expansion and retreat, on nutrient and space availability in the marine ecosystem; (ii) the Antarctic marine food chain, with particular emphasis on the crucial role of krill; (iii) how organisms have adapted to the extreme cold of the Southern Ocean, for example the production of natural antifreeze in the blood of some fish species; (iv) the strikingly small size of organisms within the Antarctic terrestrial ecosystem, and why this is the case; (v) how terrestrial species have adapted to the cold, dry environment of the continent; (vi) the impacts of human activity on the ecosystems of Antarctica, for example seal hunting and whaling in the Southern Ocean.
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This lecture is part of a larger course exploring the physical environments, ecosystems and governance of Antarctica: https://massolit.io/courses/the-geogr...
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