Interference Within the Arctic Biome
A term that has continued to grow in usage is "global warming". Ever since humans began mining and industrializing parts of the arctic, this warming effect has become an even greater concern. Just like marine biomes, the arctic is very sensitive to any type of temperature change. The competitive nature between arctic foxes and red foxes is only a reality because of this warming process. Without global warming, red foxes would not migrate north and compete with arctic foxes for food and territory. The populations in the arctic have adapted and have become accustomed to the temperatures in their environment and do not thrive well with unstable conditions. The arctic biome may be the youngest to date (as it is only 10,000 years old), but evolution can not occur without ample time. This being said, communities in the arctic are unable to keep up with the constant changing going on in the environment. The majority of these changes are a direct result of human interference in the arctic.
Along with the mining and industrialization, humans have caused a drop in polar bear populations and musk oxen populations. Polar bears are being hunted for their fur and are starving due to its usual prey migrating as a result of the temperature increase. On top of this, over fishing has caused a drop in the salmon, cod, and trout populations that polar bears consume. Musk oxen are also being hunted by humans, primarily for their fur and meat. The warming of the arctic has forced musk oxen to emigrate to other areas for breeding as well, which ultimately makes the calves more vulnerable to being attacked by grizzly bears.
As humans continue to develop and mine in the arctic, resources for native organisms are becoming more difficult to obtain. This causes stress on the community. One specific example of this is the impact of mining on caribou populations. Extracting fossil fuels has disrupted the surrounding territory so much that caribou are now unable to follow their traditional migratory route. Even if humans stopped mining in their habitat, it would be extremely unlikely that the caribou would return to their initial route. As mentioned before, the arctic is a very delicate biome. In fact, foot prints from World War II are still able to be seen in the permafrost in the arctic to this day!
Foreign pesticides have been introduced into the arctic, too, due to human interference. These pesticides are sprayed onto agricultural crops that are then transferred to native insects. Due to this, migratory birds have stopped feeding on insects from the arctic, which has now caused an uncontrollable growth to happen with insect populations.
Most importantly, this global warming directly influences every living thing on Earth. The "carbon sinks" within the permafrost of the arctic are able to keep carbon from escaping off into the atmosphere. The arctic is home to one of the largest carbon sinks on Earth, where an estimated 14% of all carbon on the Earth is contained. However, this carbon sink is only effective when the temperature is cold enough to keep the soil frozen. When the arctic begins to heat up, the permafrost thaws as well and releases some of this carbon off into the world.
Along with the mining and industrialization, humans have caused a drop in polar bear populations and musk oxen populations. Polar bears are being hunted for their fur and are starving due to its usual prey migrating as a result of the temperature increase. On top of this, over fishing has caused a drop in the salmon, cod, and trout populations that polar bears consume. Musk oxen are also being hunted by humans, primarily for their fur and meat. The warming of the arctic has forced musk oxen to emigrate to other areas for breeding as well, which ultimately makes the calves more vulnerable to being attacked by grizzly bears.
As humans continue to develop and mine in the arctic, resources for native organisms are becoming more difficult to obtain. This causes stress on the community. One specific example of this is the impact of mining on caribou populations. Extracting fossil fuels has disrupted the surrounding territory so much that caribou are now unable to follow their traditional migratory route. Even if humans stopped mining in their habitat, it would be extremely unlikely that the caribou would return to their initial route. As mentioned before, the arctic is a very delicate biome. In fact, foot prints from World War II are still able to be seen in the permafrost in the arctic to this day!
Foreign pesticides have been introduced into the arctic, too, due to human interference. These pesticides are sprayed onto agricultural crops that are then transferred to native insects. Due to this, migratory birds have stopped feeding on insects from the arctic, which has now caused an uncontrollable growth to happen with insect populations.
Most importantly, this global warming directly influences every living thing on Earth. The "carbon sinks" within the permafrost of the arctic are able to keep carbon from escaping off into the atmosphere. The arctic is home to one of the largest carbon sinks on Earth, where an estimated 14% of all carbon on the Earth is contained. However, this carbon sink is only effective when the temperature is cold enough to keep the soil frozen. When the arctic begins to heat up, the permafrost thaws as well and releases some of this carbon off into the world.