Soil decomposers, such as some bacteria and fungi, obtain energy needed for life from dead and decomposing plant and animal remains, known as soil organic matter. Soil organic matter is important to local ecosystems because it affects soil structure, regulates soil moisture and temperature, and provides energy and nutrients to soil organisms. It is also important globally, because
This article describes the upcoming travels of PolarTREC science teacher Nell Kemp from Kenwood Academy High School’s Academic Center. Ms. Kemp will be traveling to Toolik Field Station in Alaska to examine how arctic wolf spiders influence arctic food webs.
The following presentation was given by Dr. Patricia Yager at the 2012 Arctic Ocean Ecosystem Workshop in Barrow, Alaska. The presentation outlines Dr. Yager's work in biological and chemical oceanography, and focuses on the feedbacks between climate change and marine ecosystems at different locations around the world.
Just as the increase in atmospheric CO2 is causing the global air temperture to rise, the container with the added CO2 will trap more heat inside and will show a higher internal temperature.
Overview
This activity/demonstration can be used directly following lessons on greenhouse gasses and their effects on warming the atmosphere by allowing shortwave UV energy
In this one hour presentation, PolarTREC teacher John Wood explains the scientific work in the Carbon Balance in Warming and Drying Tundra expedition from Healy, Alaska.
The local on-line newsletter interviewed Mr. Wood over the phone and talks about the upcoming expedition to the interior tundra of Alaska and how it will involve the students at Talbert Middle School in Fountain Valley.
Using photos from a variety of websites, including the PolarTREC and SCINI websites, students will identify organisms to phylum and/or class level (e.g. polychaetes, starfish, brittle stars, sponges) and then research the primary foods that these organisms eat. They will then develop a simple food web for these organisms.
This is presentation provides an overview about sea ice in Antarctica as presented by Dr. Patricia Yager. She has slides about the daylight and seasons and related sea ice concentrations. She also has several slides about sea ice as a habitat and about the types of organisms associated with the sea ice. The main part of this presentation focuses on
Interview with Dr. Stacy Kim conducted by PolarTREC teacher Mindy Bell. This interview was conducted during the 2007 Antarctic Undersea ROV expedition.