This competition has led to concerns about environmental degradation and the displacement of indigenous peoples from their traditional lands. An example of a dwarf shrub is the bearberry. Hancock, L. (n.d.). Copyright 2023, Lets Talk Science, All Rights Reserved. Scientific observation and knowledge have an important role in shaping an understanding of responsibility for the environment in these regions. Use a single chapter as a read aloud, as the text is dense! ReadWriteThink provides a lesson plan for introducing Venn Diagrams in the Kindergarten classroom. However, the rapid changes in the Arctic climate threaten these ecosystems and their inhabitants. Scavengers (including some sharks and crabs) and decomposers such as marine worms and algae break down dead and decaying materials. The water is darker than the ice, so it absorbs more heat. Earth's polar regions are a captivating and mysterious part of our planet, shrouded in ice and darkness for much of the year. This diplomatic conflict has been nicknamed the New Cold War or simply the Race for the Arctic. The exclusive economic zones of Russia, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and the United States extend to 200 nautical miles off their coasts. However, rising global temperatures are causing rapid melting of glaciers and ice shelves in Antarctica, which could lead to significant sea level rise in the coming decades. Why Do the Seasons Change on Earth? It also warms the air above it. The Arctic includes the peaks of the Brooks mountain range in western North America, the enormous Greenland ice sheet, the isolated islands of the Svalbard archipelago, the fjords of northern Scandinavia, and the grassland plateaus and rich river valleys of northern Siberia. These include penguins, seals, whales, and various species of algae and lichens that thrive in cold and dark conditions; over time, these species have adapted to survive in this extreme environment. The surrounding six Arctic states that border the Arctic OceanCanada, Kingdom of Denmark (with Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and the United Statesare limited to a 200 nautical miles (370km; 230mi) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off their coasts. They have all developed smart, innovative ways to adapt to the unique challenges posed by the regions severe climate. For more information, see the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears Contributors page. This coloring helps camouflage them in heavy snow and ice. Although this book does not discuss the polar regions, it does present the idea of using maps to show direction. Recommended ages: K-2. Polar region of the Earth's northern hemisphere, Toggle International cooperation and politics subsection, The word was originally pronounced without the. Iceberg under the midnight sun in Greenland (Michal Balada, iStockphoto). [7][8], The Arctic is characterized by cold winters and cool summers. Konyshev, Valery & Sergunin, Alexander: Is Russia a revisionist military power in the Arctic? Both of these activities can be challenging and may frustrate your students. However, others claim that dinosaurs lived year-round at very high latitudes, such as near the Colville River, which is now at about 70N but at the time (70 million years ago) was 10 further north. As one moves northward, the amount of warmth available for plant growth decreases considerably. Did you know that while the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents, Antarctica is a continent surrounded by oceans? Human settlement patterns in these areas have altered over time due to modern economic activities such as shipping, fishing, oil exploration, tourism, and scientific research in Antarctica. The Arctic: Location & Geography - Dive & Discover The increasingly shrinking Arctic sea ice provides clear shipping routes for trade and travel. The Arctic experiences the extremes of solar radiation. The Arctic is the northernmost region of the Earth, Biology, Ecology, Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography. Polar Region - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics Tropical Storm Hilary Heavy Rain Pelts Southern Californias This is what makes them deserts! Did you know that the polar regions are more than just the North Pole and South Pole? A literature-based lesson that introduces the need for maps is based on the book I Hate English by Ellen Levine. Picture book. In particular, there are concerns that Arctic shrinkage, a consequence of melting glaciers and other ice in Greenland, could soon contribute to a substantial rise in sea levels worldwide. National Snow and Ice Data Center: Frequently Asked Questions on Arctic Sea Ice, National Geographic Education: Geography in the NewsThe Arctics Northeast Passage, National Geographic Education: North Pole, National Geographic Education: Arctic Ecosystem, National Geographic Animals: Arctic Animal Photos, National Geographic Education: The Arctic Region, National Geographic Education: Polarizing Region, National Geographic Education: Arctic Ice Reaches a Low High, National Geographic Education: Arctic Adaptations, National Geographic Crittercam: Virtual WorldArctic, USGS: Circum-Arctic Resource AppraisalEstimates of Undiscovered Oil and Gas North of the Arctic Circle, National Geographic Education: The Arctic Ocean, National Geographic Video: Arctic Ice Death Spiral, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory: Arctic Zone. supportTerms and [19] Supported by genetic testing, evidence shows that descendants of the Dorset culture, known as the Sadlermiut, survived in Aivilik, Southampton and Coats Islands, until the beginning of the 20th century.[20]. An official website of the United States government. In the northernmost areas, plants are at their metabolic limits, and small differences in the total amount of summer warmth make large differences in the amount of energy available for maintenance, growth and reproduction. [16], The earliest inhabitants of North America's central and eastern Arctic are referred to as the Arctic small tool tradition (AST) and existed c.2500 BCE. Axial tilt is responsible for this effect, which results in a lack of direct sunlight at high latitudes. Elevation protected the valuables from excess rot due to snow or water seeping into the storehouse, as well as vermin such as mice or rats. Less proficient readers will still benefit from the information in North Pole, South Pole. Even though the Arctic Ocean is very cold, its warmer than the ice. The Arctic and Antarctic modulate the global climate system, their productive oceans support vast numbers of plankton, fish, sea birds and mammals, and their ice sheets lock up the majority of the Earths fresh water. These diverseIndigenouscommunities have developed cultural practices that help them live off the land. Copyright August 2011 The Ohio State University. How are Arctic Animals in Canada Affected by Climate Change. Tropical Storm Hilary Makes Landfall and Threatens Catastrophic Earth's Polar Regions - Windows to the Universe Experts estimate that shipping time may be cut by 40% if the Northwest and Northeast passages were ice-free all year. Animal hides covered these poles, and snow provided excellent insulation. Despite these harsh conditions, the Antarctic region is vital in regulating global weather patterns and ocean currents. Some parts of the oceans surface remain frozen all or most of the year. Coastal Arctic climates are moderated by oceanic influences, having generally warmer temperatures and heavier snowfalls than the colder and drier interior areas. [9][10] The melting of Greenland's ice sheet is linked to polar amplification. The air in polar regions is very dry. The Arctic region is a unique area among Earth's ecosystems. Arctic settlements are sparsely populated due to the harsh climate and rugged terrain. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. (Pesaro, Italy) building the world. conditions, use of Big Idea: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things. The Dorset/Thule culture transition dates around the ninth10th centuries CE. Relative location is the Igloos could hold as few as two and as many as 20 people. [25][26], Research in the Arctic has long been a collaborative international effort, evidenced by the International Polar Year. The book North Pole, South Pole will help students compare and contrast the two poles. Once students have developed a basic geographical understanding of the poles, they can begin to learn about each regions characteristics. Any incorrect ideas about the basic size, shape, and location of the Arctic and Antarctic will definitely impact students understanding of the science of the two regions. Temperatures are rising so quickly that the Arctic could have no summersea ice by 2035. This means the same amount of light is spread out over a larger area (a). Last season, Hawaii's Honolulu Little League team won the World Series while representing the West Region. But the sun doesnt reach all parts of the Earth in the same way. Houghton Mifflins Education Place provides a printable T-chart. Elaine Scott. [35], Canada claims the Northwest Passage as part of its internal waters belonging to Canada, while the United States and most maritime nations[36] regards it as an international strait, which means that foreign vessels have right of transit passage. The ship, filled with more than 1,500 tourists, made the journey in three weeks. They are larger than 50 000 square kilometers. Within this circle are the Arctic ocean basin and the northern parts of Scandinavia, Russia, Canada, Greenland, and the U.S. state of Alaska. [39]. In winter, temperatures often drop below -30F, while summer temperatures average around 50F. Organic nutrients are thus recycled into the marine ecosystem of the Arctic. Nunavut, Canadas largest territory, stretches far into the central Canadian Arctic. [30], Foreign ministers and other officials representing Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the United States met in Ilulissat, Greenland on 28 May 2008 at the Arctic Ocean Conference and announced the Ilulissat Declaration,[31][32] blocking any "new comprehensive international legal regime to govern the Arctic Ocean," and pledging "the orderly settlement of any possible overlapping claims. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the ocean and its connection with the Earth system through a sustained commitment to excellence in science, engineering, and education, and to the application of this knowledge to problems facing society. The Arctic is affected by current global warming, leading to Arctic sea ice shrinkage, diminished ice in the Greenland ice sheet, and Arctic methane release as the permafrost thaws. This type of chart is a useful note-taking tool and can be used before completing a Venn diagram. [23] Much work remains on regulatory agreements regarding shipping, tourism, and resource development in Arctic waters. These concepts are best viewed as part of an interdisciplinary unit that integrates basic science, geography skills, and literature. Upon ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a country has ten years to make claims to an extended continental shelf beyond its 200 nautical mile zone. Marine animals thrive in the Arctic. Books, Contact and The Great Thaw is Already Happening (2019). Without sea ice, polar bears cannot catch enough seals to survive their annual winter fast. The word Arctic comes from the Greek word (arktikos), "near the Bear, northern"[4] and from the word (arktos), meaning bear. Antarctica's geology is unique due to its isolation from other continents and long geological history. Thepolar regionssurround Earths North and South Poles. 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