POLAR CLIMATE: LOCATION, CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES, FAUNA, FLORA - GEOGRAPHY - 2024

The polar climate is the coldest on the entire planet. It is called the zone of eternal cold since it has a winter that lasts for nine months and a summer that barely exceeds 0 ° C. It is a cold environment and is classified within cold climates.

Its main elements determine its rigorous and hostile characteristics. These components are subject to climate factors and the shape and inclination of the Earth, which modify or subordinate the incidence of solar rays on its surface.

Antarctica has a polar climate and is considered the coldest place on the planet. Source: pixabay.com

In the polar circle, the longest night is 24 hours and can last 6 months at the pole due to the incidence of the sun's rays, which fall obliquely on the surface.

This phenomenon is due to the inclination of the Earth's axis that locates its north pole far from the equatorial line, which causes the solar rays to lose almost all their thermal energy when trying to cross the thickness of the atmosphere.

Even so, the permanent incidence of the rays eventually favors the growth of a very particular vegetation that adapts to the environment.

Snow forms compact layers of ice because the intense cold lasts for long periods. The temperature ranges from -93 ° C to 0 ° C, according to the Köppen classification.

The polar regions have different characteristics and origins. The arctic or boreal area is a mass of ice that floats and that, thanks to low temperatures, does not melt. For its part, the southern or southern region also has extremely low temperatures, but in the past it had the presence of abundant fauna and flora.

Location

The polar climate is located at the north pole (Arctic) and at the south pole (Antarctica). The glacial polar climate prevails in permanently ice-covered areas such as the Antarctic continent and north-central Greenland.

Arctic polar region

Includes Norwegian, Russian, Canadian and Danish territories. Some of the specific zones found in this region are Edge Island, Bear Island, and Northeast Land, all located in Norway.

In Russian territory are the Islands of New Siberia, the Islands of Solitude, the Island of Komsomol and the Island of Bolshevik, among others.

The antartida

It is one of the largest and highest continents in the world, the fourth to be exact. It is located approximately 2000 meters above sea level.

It is located at the south pole of the planet. It rises from 60 ° south latitude and encompasses archipelagos and islands, as well as the Antarctic glacial ocean.

Mountains

Other representations of the polar climate are in some areas of mountainous relief such as the Himalayas, the mountains of Alaska or the Andes mountain range. These have characteristics very similar to those of the polar regions, so they are usually included within this type of climate.

characteristics

Low temperatures

The low incidence of solar rays is due to the tilt of the planet's axial axis, causing temperatures below 0 ° C to less than -98 ° C in the coldest places.

Due to the albedo phenomenon, the rays are reflected quickly and do not have time to heat the surface.

Little rainfall

Due to the lack of humidity and low temperatures, rainfall is almost nil. In most cases they are presented in the form of snowflakes, which cover the surface forming thick layers of ice.

Intense winds

The wind blows continuously and horizontally with great intensity. This is generated due to atmospheric pressure and low temperatures; winds can reach up to 97 km / h.

Variations of the day during the year

Daylight undergoes marked variations: summer has 24 continuous hours of light (the midnight sun) and there are 24 hours of darkness in winter.

Floating ice masses

Icebergs are found in regions with a polar climate, large icebergs that emerge above the surface of the sea and have broken away from glaciers.

Scarce vegetation and fauna

The inhospitable conditions of this climate make it impossible for varied and profuse forms of animal or plant life to develop.

Soils unsuitable for cultivation

Because the inner part of the soils is permanently frozen, it is not possible to adapt these surfaces to minimum conditions for cultivation.

Dry weather

As a consequence of the scarce rainfall, there are no accumulations of water that provide the necessary humidity that could favor the life cycles of the species.

Types

According to the extremes or poles of planet Earth, the polar climate is classified as Arctic and Antarctic. There may also be a tundra and cap type of climate.

Arctic polar climate

This climate has temperatures that in winter can reach -68 ° C, although the average this season is -45 ° C. The winds tend to be of slight speed, although quite cold.

Within this category, two subtypes stand out: continental arctic climate and maritime arctic climate. The continental has the particularity of being quite dry and is located in areas far from the coasts.

For its part, the maritime Arctic climate can be found near the Arctic Ocean. In winter it can rain up to 120 centimeters annually, and in summer it is possible to find temperatures around 10 ° C.

Antarctic polar climate

This climate is found in Antarctica, the coldest continent on the planet. In this region there are also several climatic subtypes: maritime, continental and of the Antarctic peninsula.

In the continental zone the coldest and windiest climates appear; On the other hand, near the coasts, temperatures increase a little and there is more rainfall.

Finally, the climate of the Antarctic peninsula is a bit more humid and warmer; during summer it is possible to experience temperatures that exceed 0 ° C.

Tundra polar climate

The polar tundra climate occurs in the less cold months of the year and its temperatures range between 0 and 10 ° C. Geographical areas with this type of climate occur most frequently in Western Siberia, Norway and Russia.

Ice cap polar climate

The polar cap climate is more frequent throughout the year and presents average temperatures below 0 ° C. The most representative places with this climate are Greenland and the Mcmurdo Strait in Antarctica.

Fauna

The ecosystems of each pole have different characteristics that affect the animal life that inhabits each one. While the north pole is an ocean surrounded by islands and continents, the south pole is a space surrounded by ocean waters, which makes it colder than the north.

With regard to the fauna, few species develop or go to these areas sporadically.

The white bear is one of the most frequent inhabitants of the North Pole because it has adapted to the climatic challenges of the polar region. It is a unique species with strong legs that allow it to travel great distances; in addition, it is a predator that consumes especially seals.

The great migrations fleeing the cold and darkness are an impressive phenomenon in this region. Huge flocks of geese, ducks, gulls and guillemots travel thousands of miles into the Arctic. On the contrary, other animals such as terns travel to Antarctica on the eve of the austral summer.

The arctic fox is one of the main visiting predators. It has small ears, a very bushy tail and its white hair camouflages it in the snow. Eat birds and small mammals.

In the south, wolves and emperor penguins are representative species of this place, as well as the leopard seal and weasels.

Marine life

The marine species that inhabit the Arctic and Antarctic oceans are subjects of deep and constant research given their diversity and variety, despite the particular characteristics of these waters. In addition to seals, walruses and fish, the water surrounding the region has large amounts of plankton that attracts whales.

Strange sea creatures live and attract the attention of researchers. They have described curious forms of life in the icy polar waters, which can even cross the planet from one end to the other through waters of different temperatures, and still survive.

In both polar oceans, some species can be seen such as the Clione limacina (snail without a shell), the jellyfish-hunting crustacean (Mimonectes sphaericus), the arrow-shaped worm (Heterokrohnia involucrum) and other forms of life or unicellular organisms such as Diphyes dispar.

Qualities to adapt

The fauna in general has had to develop qualities to adapt; examples of this are the dense coats, the accumulation of subcutaneous fat and the strong legs.

Those less favored species (such as rodents) protect themselves from the harsh weather conditions by building shelters and tunnels in the subsoil; there are also other beings who prefer to migrate.

The short summer in the tundra is home to insects and some mammals from the boreal forest, such as reindeer, squirrel, wolf and elk, among others. Likewise, the migration of birds such as geese, greenfinches and ducks is frequent.

There is a large amount of marine fauna, since the abundant proliferation of krill and plankton attracts them. There are also a variety of fish and mollusks, as well as huge mammals such as ocelots and sea lions.

Flora

The flora of the polar regions has the peculiarity of being very small. This is because the intensity of the winds carries everything that is not close enough to the ground.

Even being small, it is difficult to survive in this space, since the perennial cold in the subsoil hardly allows some colonies of mosses, lichens, algae and shrubs to grow during the short summer period.

Few flowers can be found on the peninsula; such is the case of tussok grass and some carnations. Poa grass was planted by man in places without ice, since there is a total absence of trees.

Vegetation

The vast glacial regions, which are deserted, white and cold, do not have the necessary conditions for life to flourish.

It is possible to find vegetation only in the tundra, a habitat resistant to the extreme climatic conditions of these latitudes. Very simple small plants proliferate in this region: mosses, algae, lichens and ericaceae cover the floors.

On the other hand, in the valleys and places with less wind, forests of willows, birches, reeds, cotton grass and heather are formed.

The plants of the Alps of the North Pole develop on a mountain relief forming carpets, bushes and other forms with a cushion appearance, with long roots and very small hairy leaves. Clusters of clusters of plants can also be seen growing side by side, in order to protect each other.

Survival of the fittest

The cliffs have been favorable places for the survival of this vegetation, since they are places to which man and the animals that graze do not have access. In addition, there they find a little moisture in the cracks and the incidence of sunlight is less.

As part of another adaptive phenomenon, some plants turn whitish or gray to reflect the sun's rays and radiation at night.

Much of the plants of the North Pole tundra are characterized by dark pigmentation in their leaves; some are dark red.

Albedo - or the percentage of radiation that is reflected after perceiving sunlight - is what allows this vegetation to photosynthesize despite low temperatures.

Population

The way of life of the Eskimos has particular characteristics. These are communities that have had to adapt their clothing, transportation, food, the region's economy and customs to the hostile conditions of the polar climate.

In general, the population size in these areas is not large. There are few human settlements due to the living conditions generated by the temperatures and the relief of the area. Among the most prominent population regions are Alaska, Norway, Greenland and Russia.

They usually eat meat and animal fats from whales, walruses, fish and seals to protect themselves from the cold. Their vegetable consumption is less, since they do not have many areas of crops.

Transport

As for the ways of displacement, previously they used to use sleds made of animal bones, pulled by strong husky dogs. Snowmobiles and other vehicles are now seen with special accessories that prevent getting stuck in the snow.

In the aquatic environment, the inhabitants of these spaces use small boats to fish, such as kayaks, umiaqs and motor boats.

Currently, technology has allowed ships to navigate through both poles, even in high-risk conditions generated by the meteorological characteristics of the area. This type of transport has been increasing and diversifying in recent years, and it is expected that it will continue to do so.

Economy and culture

The economy in this region is based on the resources of each area. The oil, coal, gold and iron exploitation stands out. Likewise, other sectors have developed, such as fishing and the trade in fox and bison skins.

The Inuit are the people of the Arctic pole. They have a unique culture that ranges from the construction of their igloo-type houses, to their ceremonies in which dances stand out, as well as their stories and myths.

His wardrobe is made of animal skins and fur for greater protection from the cold. They also wear thick, tall boots to help them get around better.

Despite the distances and inaccessibility of the polar regions, aviation has managed to bring these people closer together and has allowed them to connect with adjacent regions and countries.

References

1. “Climates. Types of climates "in the Department of Education, University and Professional Information. Retrieved on April 13, 2019 from the Ministry of Education, University and Professional Information: edu.xunta.gal
2. "Climate, atmospheric conditions of a place" in Encyclopedia Espasa. Retrieved on April 14, 2019 from Enciclopedia Espasa: espasa.planetasaber.com
3. "Cold weather" in Wikipedia The free encyclopedia. Retrieved on April 13, 2019 from Wikipedia The free encyclopedia: es.wikipedia.org
4. "Let's get to know Antarctica" in Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation. Retrieved on April 14, 2019 from the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation: dhn.mil.pe
5. Aguilar, A. "General Geography" in Google Books. Retrieved on April 14, 2019 from Google Books: books.google.cl