Antarctic
The coldest, driest and windiest place on Earth.
An ice-covered continent surrounded by the rich, cold Southern Ocean.
Overview
Antarctica is a continent almost entirely buried under a thick ice sheet. On land, life is limited to mosses, lichens and tiny invertebrates. The surrounding Southern Ocean is very different: cold, nutrient-rich water supports enormous swarms of krill that feed penguins, seals and whales.
Climate
Extremely cold, windy and dry — much of the interior receives so little snow that it is considered a desert.
Where it is found
The Antarctic continent and the Southern Ocean around it.
Vegetation
Almost none on land — only mosses, lichens and two flowering plants on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Living conditions
- Cold: The lowest temperatures on Earth have been recorded here.
- Dry: Very little precipitation — much of it is a polar desert.
- Sea ice: Sea ice expands every winter and retreats in summer.
Key facts
- Lowest recorded temperature: −89.2 °C (Vostok Station, 1983 (WMO))
- Fresh water: About 70% of Earth’s fresh water is in its ice sheet (NSIDC)
- Area: About 14 million km² (Continent)
- Precipitation: Very low — much of the interior is a polar desert
How the ecosystem works
- Krill-based: Antarctic krill link microscopic algae to whales, seals and penguins.
- Seasonal visitors: Whales migrate here to feed during the southern summer.
- Life on the edge: Most life is concentrated along the coast and in the sea.
Food web
- Producers
- Phytoplankton, Ice algae
- Grazers
- Antarctic krill
- Predators
- Blue whale, Orca, Penguins & seals
- Decomposers
- Bacteria
Biodiversity
Few land species, but the Southern Ocean supports large populations of krill, fish, seabirds, seals and whales.
Threats
- Warming — Parts of the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding ocean are warming.
- Changing sea ice — Changes in sea ice affect krill and the animals that feed on it.
- Krill fishing — Fishing pressure on krill can compete with whales and penguins.
Conservation
Antarctica is protected for peace and science under an international treaty. Its ice stores most of the world’s fresh water and its ocean feeds some of the largest animals on Earth.
- Protecting key areas of the Southern Ocean.
- Managing krill fishing carefully.
- Reducing global emissions.