Cyanobacteria in polar regions a. can only grow in open water. b. are limited to the summer months. c. provide the basis of ecosystems in the polar environments. d. can only grow in limited numbers.

Answer: c. provide the basis of ecosystems in the polar environments.

Explanation:

Cyanobacteria is found in the freshwater, glacial environments of the polar and alpine regions. The Cyanobacteria mats can be found at the bottom of the ponds, lakes and streams within the melted water habitats in the ice shelves and glaciers.

The Cyanobacteria accounts for the dominant fraction of the total ecosystem production. These are the key producers of the food chains in the polar region and these are also responsible for contributing to the nitrogen and carbon cycles. Their presence was observed in the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions.