Arctic Ecosystem
The Arctic has a unique complex food web fashioned by its distinctive plankton and animal species as well as its environmental factors. Carbon cycles through the food web, to the atmosphere then sea, and back again. Phytoplankton and algae absorb carbon from sea water and turn it into organic matter of their tissue. It then flows through the successful levels of eating animals which transfer their prey's carbon into their own. Along the way some carbon escapes as creatures breathe and go to the toilet. Supporting top predators is a complex ecosystem of plankton, birds, fish, seals, walruses and even whales. Yet supporting the entire ecosystem is phytoplankton and algae. The Arctic ecosystem may still hold many mysteries as though expeditions are carried out, they usually must occur in summer leaving huge gaps in observations and restricting the ability to observe the ecosystems vulnerabilities. Yet one thing is known, rising temperatures is having a massive effect on the Arctic's interlinked and delicately balanced food web. An added threat of mining will be devastating!