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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Antarctic Ecosystem Location
Antarctica is one of Earth's most extreme and unique ecosystems. Despite being almost entirely covered in ice, it plays a crucial role in our planet's climate system and supports remarkable wildlife that has adapted to its harsh conditions. In this session, we'll explore where Antarctica is located and how its position affects its ecosystem.
Key Definitions:
Antarctica is located at the southernmost part of our planet, containing the geographic South Pole. It's the fifth-largest continent, covering about 14 million square kilometres - that's nearly twice the size of Australia! Unlike the Arctic, which is mostly frozen sea surrounded by land, Antarctica is a landmass surrounded by ocean.
Antarctica is the most isolated continent on Earth. It's surrounded by the Southern Ocean, with the nearest landmasses being South America (800 km away at the closest point), Australia (2,500 km) and South Africa (3,800 km). This isolation has major implications for its ecosystem, climate and the species that live there.
Antarctica's location has shaped its unique physical features, which in turn influence its ecosystem.
Antarctica is divided into two main regions by the Transantarctic Mountains: East Antarctica and West Antarctica. About 98% of the continent is covered by ice, with an average thickness of 1.6 kilometres. In some places, the ice sheet is over 4.5 kilometres thick! This massive ice sheet contains about 90% of the world's fresh water.
Larger and higher in elevation, East Antarctica sits on a continental landmass. It's generally colder and more stable than West Antarctica.
Mostly an archipelago of islands covered by ice. It includes the Antarctic Peninsula, which stretches toward South America and has a milder climate.
Large, floating platforms of ice that extend from the mainland. The Ross Ice Shelf and Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf are the largest, each about the size of France.
Antarctica's position at the South Pole gives it the coldest, windiest and driest climate on Earth. These extreme conditions are a direct result of its geographical location.
Antarctica holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth: -89.2°C at Vostok Station. Average winter temperatures range from -40°C to -70°C in the interior, while coastal areas may reach -15°C to -32°C. Summer temperatures in the interior remain below -20°C, while coastal areas might briefly rise above freezing.
Despite being covered in ice, Antarctica is technically a desert, receiving less than 200mm of precipitation annually (mostly as snow). The interior receives even less - around 50mm per year. The ice we see has accumulated over millions of years, not from heavy snowfall.
Antarctica's position at the South Pole creates extreme seasonal variations:
These dramatic light cycles significantly impact the ecosystem and the behaviour of Antarctic wildlife.
The Antarctic Convergence (also called the Polar Front) is a crucial boundary where cold Antarctic waters meet warmer sub-Antarctic waters. This zone:
The Convergence demonstrates how Antarctica's location creates unique oceanographic conditions that support its ecosystem. Krill, the foundation of the Antarctic food web, thrive in these nutrient-rich waters, supporting penguins, seals and whales.
Antarctica's geographical position has profound effects on its ecosystem:
Antarctica's isolation has limited the number of species that can reach it, resulting in lower biodiversity compared to other continents. However, the species that do live there have developed remarkable adaptations to survive.
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows around the continent, helping to keep it isolated and cold. This current is crucial for global ocean circulation and climate regulation.
The angle at which sunlight hits the South Pole means less solar energy reaches Antarctica, contributing to its cold climate. The seasonal extremes of 24-hour daylight and darkness affect biological rhythms.
Antarctica's position makes it critically important for Earth's systems:
Antarctica's remote location has shaped human interaction with the continent:
Antarctica was the last continent to be discovered, with the first confirmed sightings occurring in the 1820s. Its remote location and harsh conditions made exploration extremely difficult. The "Heroic Age" of Antarctic exploration in the early 20th century saw expeditions by Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton attempting to reach the South Pole.
Today, about 70 research stations from 29 countries operate in Antarctica. These are primarily located along the coast and on the Antarctic Peninsula (the part closest to South America), where conditions are less extreme. The geographic isolation means all supplies must be brought in by ship or aircraft.
Antarctica's unique location and importance led to the creation of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, which:
This international agreement recognises the special status of Antarctica due to its location and global importance.
Antarctica's location at the southernmost part of our planet gives it unique characteristics:
Understanding Antarctica's location helps us appreciate why this frozen continent is so important to global systems and why it needs protection.
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