What is the difference between Arctic and Antarctic animals?
As a whole, the Arctic is home to far more animals than the Antarctic. This is helped by the fact that Arctic territories are connected to continents like North America, Europe or Asia; while Antarctic is a harsh and isolated continent. In fact, the largest land animal on the continent is a wingless insect.
Is there plant life in the Arctic?
ARCTIC PLANTS. Approximately 1,700 species of plants live on the Arctic tundra, including flowering plants, dwarf shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. This makes shallow root systems a necessity and prevents larger plants such as trees from growing in the Arctic.
What are plants like in the Arctic?
ARCTIC PLANTS. Approximately 1,700 species of plants live on the Arctic tundra, including flowering plants, dwarf shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. The tundra is characterized by permafrost, a layer of soil and partially decomposed organic matter that is frozen year-round.
Why do animals of the polar regions adapt differently as compared to the animals in the rainforest?
Ãnimals of polar regions adapt differently as compared to the animals in the rainforest because → we know that polar region is extremely cold and dry with no or less vegetation whereas rainforest are hot, humid, have lot of rain for and dense vegetation. → animals in rainforest show camouflag have toxic in skin.
How are plants adapted to survive in the Arctic?
Similar adaptations help plants, algae, fungi, and lichens survive in both the Arctic and Antarctic. First, the size of plants and their structures make survival possible. Small plants and shallow root systems compensate for the thin layer of soil, and small leaves minimize the amount of water lost through the leaf surface.
What kind of plants are found in Antarctica?
ANTARCTIC PLANTS. There are only two native vascular plants in Antarctica: Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort. These species are found in small clumps near the shore of the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, where temperatures are milder and there is more precipitation.
What kind of ecosystems are found in Antarctica?
Yet, Antarctica has thriving ecosystems on land and in the water. An ecosystem is an interacting system made up of animals, plants, microorganisms and the physical and chemical environment they live in. Antarctica has marine ecosystems and terrestrial (land-based) ecosystems.
Why is the Arctic not as cold as the Antarctic?
The Arctic is not as cold as the Antarctic for two main reasons, firstly the effect of the sea that doesn’t fall below -2°C which means that the whole of the arctic polar region and coastal regions are kept relatively warm even though the sea is covered by ice.