The ecosystem in Antarctica is a very delicate balance of land, air and marine species each playing vital roles – and each highly dependent upon the other. The health of this ecosystem is considered key in understanding the effects of global warming. In the past 50 years, the minimum temperature has risen almost 3ºC (37ºF).

Land species are very sparse, especially flora. Plants are limited to lichens, mosses, algas, mushrooms and two flowering plants. A few types of insects and mites are also present.

The seas around Antarctica is where the diversity is. The entire ecosystem web rests upon on small crustacean, the krill (Euphausiidae spp), which forms the main diet for birds, sea lions and whales. It is the foundation of the Antarctic food chain. Two classes of mammals are present.
Penniped species include:
Crabeater seal (Foca cangrejera)
Fur seal (Foca peletera)
Elephant seal (Elefante marino)
Weddell seal (Foca de Weddell)
Leopard seal (Foca Leopardo)
Ross seal (foca de Ross)
Cetaceans are not permanent residents. They come only in summer. Their ranks include:
Blue whale (Ballena azul)
Fin whale (Ballena de aleta)
Sei whale (Ballena boba)
Dwarf whale (Ballena enana)
Humpback whale (Ballena jorobada)
Black Right whale (Ballena franca)
Sperm whale (Cachalote)
Killer whale (Orca)

Birds form the largest fauna group.
Penguins represent 90% of the avifauna in Antarctica. Of the 17 species worldwide, seven are found here:
Emperor (Emperador)
King (Rey)
Macaroni (De Frente Dorada)
Rockhopper (De Penacho Amarillo)
Adelie (De Adelia)
Gentoo (De Papúa)
Chinstrap (De Barbijo)

Migratory birds, arriving during those warm austral months, include various species of Albatrosses, petrels, cormorants, gulls, skuas and Snowy Sheathbill (Paloma Antarctica)

Scientists at the Antarctic research station of 40 nations are working on base lines of the flora and fauna populations, to understand not only global warming, but also the effects of tourism on the environment there. Despite international conventions, the fishing industry is beginning to impact the Antarctic region. A future danger lies in the tremendous mineral, petroleum and natural reserves that Antarctica is believed to have. A proposal has been presented to prohibit any such exploration for 50 years.