![]() ![]() This is opposite to the usual pattern on land in which terrestrial ecosystems are most productive where temperatures are higher (compare for example tropical rainforest with arctic tundra). In fact, it may seem something of a paradox that, as far as the oceans are concerned, biologically rich areas tend to be found where waters are cold rather than warm. The sea surface temperature of the Southern Ocean ranges from as low as -1.8☌ near the Antarctic coast to about 3.5☌ at the polar front.ĭespite the cold water, the Southern Ocean is one of the more productive parts of the world ocean. As described further in The coast and adjacent ocean, the Southern Ocean extends from Antarctica’s coastline to the Antarctic Polar Front – a transition zone that separates the cold waters surrounding Antarctica from the relatively warmer waters of the South Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. This section looks at the ecology of the Southern Ocean in terms of its productivity, its various types of plants and animals, and the feeding relationships that exist between these organisms. Even though seals and penguins spend some of their time out of the water, they too rely entirely on the sea for their food supply and are therefore part of the marine ecosystem. The contrast in life between the continent and the Southern Ocean is amazing: the largest land animal supported by the terrestrial ecosystem is the midge whereas Blue Whales, the largest animals on the planet, are found in the surrounding seas. Teachers’ notes | Politics of Antarctica.Teachers’ notes | Destination Antarctica.Teachers’ notes | Geographical Information Systems.Teachers’ notes | Understanding Antarctica.Teachers’ notes | Terrestrial and marine ecosystems.Teachers’ notes | Atmosphere, weather and climate.Ice shelf retreat on the Antarctic Peninsula.Working in 3D using digital elevation models.Mapping wind speed and direction in Antarctica.Your polar proposal – become a scientist.Which view of the future? You decide! |.Ice shelf retreat on the Antarctic Peninsula |.Working in 3D using digital elevation models |.Mapping wind speed and direction in Antarctica |.Understanding the past and the present |. ![]() Using the past to research the present |.Your polar proposal – become a scientist |.Regional climate variation and weather |.Key factors behind Antarctica’s climate |.Tectonic history: into the deep freeze |.So you think you know about glaciers? |. ![]()
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