A short lesson of antarctic toponymy

While several ecoregions have remained similar in size and plant composition, like the Day-Night steppe, others have disappeared or developed. Aurora Forest has faced a habitat homogenization caused by the arrival of megaherbivores, that have turned this evergreen forest into a more mixed one rich in clearings, like most of every austral forest association of Antarctica. The Scrubring have also faced a similar fate, becoming a mixed woodland.

Warm currents meet cold currents over Antarctica, which produce periodical cyclones that affect the climate of Belgrano lowlands, now transformed into a temperate rainforest. Ocean strongly mitigates winter temperatures, which rarely go below freezing. Snow is always mixed with rain and never accumulates on the ground.
A similar climatic situation can be seen across the entire Ronne gulf, impacting eastern Weddell and most of Ellsworth. They are the most biodiverse ecosystems in Antarctica.


Surrounded by coastal mountains and large internal massifs that act as natural barriers, this elevated ecoregion has very few rainfalls, which causes the creation of dry scrubland/temperate desert with scarce vegetation.
Compared to the Day-Night Steppe, the Everdry Plateau has fewer rivers, worsening its arid condition. Few species have managed to flourish in this tough habitat.


The Central Massif of Polarica possesses the largest contiguous tundra of the continent, distributed between 800 and 2500 meters in altitude (2600-8200 feet).
This steep environment is alternated by small uplands rich in grassy vegetation and some cold-resistant shrubs, creating a complex mosaic habitat. Lots of fauna spent summer in this alpine tundra and then migrate to the lowlands, but several animals have adapted to withstand the dark and freezing winter.


This strait is the bridge that connects two different worlds: Weddell and Ellsworth islands. Thanks to giant lava plumes that have greatly expanded the size of Ellsworth, the two islands are separated by just 20 km of sea. Lots of small islets efficiently worked as stepping stones corridors for various animals, which were able to expand their range.
The first land vertebrate that ever crossed this channel was the dodove, which also give the name to the strait itself. 


The large mountain range of Weddell blocks most of the moisture in the eastern coast, causing a deep differentiation of the Vertical Forest. The western coast is relatively dry and the synergic action of herbivores and clay-rich soils create a mix of grasslands and small forests that act as a refuge from large birds of prey, but also as a perfect spot for ambush predators.


This peninsula possesses the most primitive forest associations of Antarctica, thanks to strange climate stability, caused by a mix of ocean influences and the effect of small ice caps. This region is the last refuge of megafaunal rostrids, which were not able to adapt and compete with the better-equipped ducktails.

Mt. Altare, the tallest mountain of the Central Massif. Immense glaciers can still be found here, the remnant of the once called Big White
Thanks to its rainy climate, the Belgrano Wetlowland is the most water-rich ecoregion of Antarctica.