Antarctica Ecosystems

Greg Reid (author)

Macmillan Education, Australia: 2005

ISBN: 0732997232

Genres: biology, factual text, information text, non-fiction, ecology, science

Issues: conservation, environmental awareness, sustainability

Understanding the significance of Antarctica is vital to understanding the significance of climate change and the need for sustainable living. Amongst other things, the world's weather systems begin there.

This is an outstanding factual text, one that will be of enormous use to teachers introducing students to the fragile environment that is Antarctica. Although text-heavy, the double page spreads are broken into accessible paragraphs, often with clear sub-headings or bold-facing to assist the reader's focus. Clear photographs illustrate each page, including some of the less familiar creatures of the region, such as icefish, squid and moss.

Reid clearly explains the three main ecosystems of Antarctica and introduces the reader to most fauna and flora in the Antarctic food web. A strong emphasis is placed on human impact - past, present and future - on this environment as well as the moral and ecological reasons for preserving it in as pristine condition as possible. ‘Frozen Fact' notes at the bottom of each page provide the kind of fascinating minutiae that will appeal to gifted readers. Finally, there is a descriptive list of significant international agreements relating to Antarctica as well as a glossary of about twenty-five words.

Highly recommended, especially for classroom use.

Note: this is one of four related texts, the others being: Exploration; Human Impact; The Frozen Continent