ICE SHEETS 7.7% OF EARTH’S SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER FIRST EXPLORED MILLION POPULATION PLANT SPECIES The Arctic is seasonally populated by roughly 200 species of birds, corresponding to about 2% of global avian species diversity. Every summer thousands of seabirds flock to breed in numerous colonies. Of the 61 terrestrial mammal species only a few hardy species such as the Arctic Fox, Svalbard Reindeer and Polar Bears stay year round facing the cold and dark months of the winter. There are 12 species of marine mammals that regularly inhabit the Arctic: 4 species of whales (Bowhead, Grey, Narwhal and Beluga), the Polar Bear, the walrus, and 6 species of ice-associated seals (Bearded, Ribbon, Ringed, Spotted, Harp and Hooded), Several additional species (e.g. Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Harbour Porpoise) are spotted occasionally. Plants have developed surprising strategies to survive in this harsh environment, like asexual reproduction. The vegetation of tundra is low growing, and consists mainly of sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs, wildflowers, mosses, and lichens. The Northwest Passage was navigated by R oald Amundsen, a famous Norwegian polar e xplorer who also led the first successful expedition to the South Pole. Indigenous populations now range from about 80% in Greenland, 50% in Canada, 20% in Alaska, 15% in Arctic Norway and 4% in Arctic Russia. About 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock. Much of ice sheet is over 2 kilometres thick and it is 3 kilometres at its thickest point. If the whole 2.85 million cubic kilometres of ice were to melt it would raise global sea levels by 7.2 metres or 23.6 feet. Ice sheets hold about 77% of the world’s freshwater, of this only 10% in the Greenland Icecap, so 7.7% of the world’s freshwater is in Greenland. The Greenland Ice sheet covers staggering 1.71 million kilometres2. MARINE FAUNA SPECIES 1906 4 1,700 12 3°/12° SUMMER TEMPERATURES Celsius (37/ 54° Fahrenheit) 11 MEET THE LOCALS Arctic in numbers Wildlife sightings listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. 180° 165° 165° 150° 150° 135° 135° 120° 120° 105° 105° 90° 90° 75° 75° 60° 60° 45° 45° 30° 30° 15° 15° 0° North Pole TERRESTRIAL FAUNA SPECIES 261 2/3km ICE THICKNESS
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