Structure and robustness to species loss in Arctic and Antarctic ice-shelf meta-ecosystem webs

► We compiled meta-ecosystem food webs for Arctic and Antarctic sea-ice ecosystems. ► Antarctic had a higher trophic species richness. ► Antarctic had a right shifted trophic position distribution and greater generality. ► The Arctic structural properties suggested the presence of compartmentalization. ► The Antarctic was more robust to simulated species removals than the Arctic.