Polar Biology Lecture Notes

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key concepts, definitions, and data from the Polar Biology lecture by Dr. Michelle LaRue, focusing on the differences between the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems.

He waka eke noa

A Māori whakatauki meaning "A canoe which we are all in with no exception."

Antarctic sea ice minimum (March 1, 2025)

The extent reached on March 1, 2025, which was $1.98 \text{ million square kilometers}$ ($764,000 \text{ square miles}$), tying for the second-lowest extent in the 47-year satellite record.

Albedo

A measure of how well a surface reflects solar energy, ranging from $0$ (perfect absorber) to $1$ (perfect reflector).

Ocean Albedo

The albedo value of the ocean, which is $0.06$.

Ice Albedo

The albedo value of ice, which is $0.70$.

Snow Albedo

The albedo value of snow, which is $0.90$.

Pagophilic

A term meaning "ice-loving," used to describe species that depend on or are associated with ice.

Pack ice

A type of sea ice found in the middle of the ocean.

Fast ice

A type of sea ice that is connected to land.

Polynya

An area of open water surrounded by sea ice, formed by factors like latent heat and katabatic winds, which facilitate life and the food web.

Katabatic wind

A wind created by cold air in contact with snow surfaces that is pulled downslope by gravitational force.

Central place foragers

Colonial animals, such as penguins and seals, that must return to a specific location (the colony) to feed their chicks or pups.

Southern Ocean Food Web Key Species

Krill and silverfish.

Arctic Spring Primary Producers

Diatoms.

Arctic Summer Primary Producers

Coccolithophores.

Polar Bear

The only bear species considered a marine mammal; it is an indicator species that uses sea ice as a platform for hunting.

Benthic foragers

Animals that feed on the ocean floor, such as the walrus.

Antarctic Indigenous Population

None; there are no indigenous peoples on the Antarctic continent.