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Arctic Ecosystem Article
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Understanding The Connection Of The Ecosystem In Animals
from:An ecosystem is a group of plants, animals and other living and non living things together in an environment. There are many different types of ecosystems and all the ecosystems of the world are interrelated. When pollution or any other disturbance occurs in one part of the world it affects all the other ecosystems as well. Tropical rainforests, grasslands, lakes, ponds, and forests are some of the different kinds of ecosystem. In animals such as the polar bear, who are endangered, major changes to the ecosystem can be life threatening and cause a serious decline in their natural habitats.
Everything within an ecosystem is reliant and dependent upon other various elements within that ecosystem. In animals there is a direct correlation between the predator and the prey and all organisms in an ecosystem are classified as producers, consumers or decomposers.
• An example of a producer would be a green plant that is able to produce its own food.
• A consumer is an animal that can not make its own food and must use other plants or animals for food.
• A decomposer is responsible for breaking down waste products and deceased animals for food.
There are different levels of consumers in the ecosystem. In animals that are classified as a first level consumer dinner may be a tasty shrub or root. First level consumers, such as mice, feed directly on the plants in the ecosystem. In animals that are classified as second level consumers’ lunch might consist of a juicy mouse. Snakes are one example of a second level consumer. An example of a third level consumer would be a hawk who would eat the snake for breakfast.
If a species is introduced to an ecosystem that is not native to that environment it can cause a lot of problems within the food chain. If, for instance, a new species of frogs are brought into an ecosystem it might not seem like that much of a problem. However the new species of frogs are going to start eating the bugs that other animals in the ecosystem are dependent upon. Also, with the addition of a prey additional predators may begin to enter the ecosystem and cause further problems.
There is a very delicate balance of producers, predators and prey within an ecosystem. In animals that balance is vital for their survival and it is imperative that the ecosystems in our communities are allowed to remain intact. By taking care of the ecosystems of the world and understanding how they work a healthier environment can be enjoyed by people and animals alike.
Arctic Ecosystem News
Paleontologists reveal ancient Arctic ecosystem teeming with life - Montreal Gazette
 Nunatsiaq News | Paleontologists reveal ancient Arctic ecosystem teeming with life Montreal Gazette Two Canadian scientists have completed a comprehensive portrait of the lush, rainforest-like ecosystem — populated by prehistoric creatures akin to alligators, hippos and flying lemurs — that prevailed some 40 million years ago in what is now Canada ... Ancient Arctic ecosystem rainforest-like, scientists say |
Opposition rising against US Arctic drilling - Mongabay.com
 Mongabay.com | Opposition rising against US Arctic drilling Mongabay.com Finally, nearly half a million Americans (400000) signed a petition against drilling in the Arctic. Critics of the Obama Administration's leases say there is no coherent plan to clean-up a spill in the icy, remote Arctic ecosystem, which already ... |
Where the polar bears roam - Russia Beyond The Headlines
 Russia Beyond The Headlines | Where the polar bears roam Russia Beyond The Headlines Wrangel Island is a breeding ground for polar bears and one of the best-preserved examples of the Arctic ecosystem. Wrangel Island in the Republic of Chukotka, the home of the polar bear. Source: Bezrukov & Bashnaeva Wrangel Island in the Republic of ... |
Global warming: How will Arctic ecosystems change? - Summit County Citizens Voice
 RedOrbit | Global warming: How will Arctic ecosystems change? Summit County Citizens Voice By Summit Voice SUMMIT COUNTY — As Arctic sea ice melts at unrelenting pace, marine biologists are trying to understand how ecosystems in the North Pole region may change. As with any ecosystem, apex predators are critical. In the Arctic Ocean, ... Inuit Insight on Fear of Killer Whales Killer Whale Menu Finally Revealed What Do Killer Whales Eat In The Arctic? |
House resolution aims anger at feds over old Arctic oil wells - Anchorage Daily News
House resolution aims anger at feds over old Arctic oil wells Anchorage Daily News Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, the resolution's primary sponsor, said the wells threaten the Arctic ecosystem. But she told the House Resources Committee this week that the state can't tell the federal government what to do, hence the resolution. |
Monday Reads: The Arctic Nights Edition - unEARTHED, from Earthjustice (blog)
 Alaskajournal.com | Monday Reads: The Arctic Nights Edition unEARTHED, from Earthjustice (blog) The little that we do know about Arctic ecosystems and the roles they play in Earth's greater ecosystem, though, is vastly overshadowed by what we don't know. As Earthjustice Attorney Holly Harris put it, even “federal government scientists admit big ... 400000 people, 573 scientists and more than 60 members of Congress urge Obama ... |
Russians finally hit Antarctic Lake Vostok after 20-year drilling project - Ars Technica
 RT | Russians finally hit Antarctic Lake Vostok after 20-year drilling project Ars Technica We already know strange things go on in the environments that have been trapped under ice in the Antarctic—witness the blood falls, which spill out of a glacier that has trapped an iron-based ecosystem on the frozen continent. 'Lost World' reached: 20 million yr old Antarctic lake 'drilled' Russia drills down to pristine Antarctic Lake: scientists Russian scientists drill into Antarctic lake |
Global Warming: USGS to assess Arctic impacts - Summit County Citizens Voice
Global Warming: USGS to assess Arctic impacts Summit County Citizens Voice By Summit Voice SUMMIT COUNTY — Much has been said and written about rapid global warming-driven changes in the Arctic, but for all the rhetoric, scientists are just in the early stages of understanding the implications for ecosystems in the region. |