Tundra
Chelsea Ginger
General Characteristics
Some general characteristics of the Tundra are extremely cold climate, low biotic diversity, simple vegetation structure, imitation of drainag, short season of growth and reproduction, energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material
Weather, Climate and Tempature
It is cold through all months of the year. It never gets any warmer than 45 or 50° F. During winter the average tempature is -20° to -30°F. The tundra is an unusually cold and dry climate.
Precipitation
The precipitation is quite extreme, with only 6 to 10 inches of rain or snow per year, the tundra is as dry as the driest desert.
Animals
Animals that live in the tundra have specialized adaptations which allow them to survive in such extreme temperatures.
Here are some mamals that live in the tundra.
Arctic Fox
Killer Whale
Sea Lion
Ground Squirrel
Lemming
Seal Beluga
Whale
Moose
Here are some birds that live in the Tundra.
Arctic Loon
Emperor Penguin,
Long Eared Owl
Rose Breasted Grosbeak
Bald Eagle
Plants
The tundra is not a plants best place to grow because perma frost (the permanently frozen soil) that is about a finger-length under the surface in the summer months prevents the plants' roots from growing as long as they need.
Catastrophic Events
The most severe threat is global warming. In 2007 the Anaktuvuk River fire burned 1,039 square kilometers of Alaskas Arctic Tundra, increasing by two-fold the area burned since 1950 across the entire Arctic tundra biome.
Human Impacts
Human impact on the tundra has generally not been a positive one. Because the tundra is such a delicate environment, even the slightest change in conditions can threaten the entire biome. Recent human activities have largely undermined the habitat of the indigenous wildlife through pollution and overdevelopment.