Heaven Phillips
The Tundra
The Tundra Food Web
The tundra's food web begins with the producers, fueled by the sun. Lichen and caribou moss (both of which are decomposers) are types of ground-growing moss that are essential for life in the tundra. These are eaten by the primary consumers- the musk ox, caribou, and the arctic hare. The arctic willow is eaten by the hare, and the tufted saxifrage is eaten by the musk ox. The arctic wolf preys on the musk ox, caribou, and the hare (the larger animals are usually brought down by packs of wolves). The arctic hare is eaten by the arctic fox. The fox and the wolf are the food webs' secondary consumers.
Symbiotic Relationships in and out of the Tundra
Mutualism- Both Organisms Benefit
Lichen is actually two organisms: a fungus and an algae. The fungus feeds off of sugars produced the algae and the algae is protected by the much tougher fungus.
Parasitism- One Benefits, One is Harmed
Mosquitos feed off of human blood. Not only do they not give anything helpful in return, mosquitos also carry fatal diseases that are transmitted via bites. Because the bite itself does not immediately kill you, mosquitos are parasites.
Commensalism- One Benefits, One Undisturbed
While the Caribou forages for lichens under the snow, it digs holes. The Arctic Fox follows close behind, and digs in the Caribou's abandoned holes to find small mammals for food.
Human Impacts on the Tundra
Arctic Fox
The Arctic Fox is a carnivorous secondary consumer. It preys off of small mammals such as the Arctic Hare. The fox's coat changes colors depending on the seasons: white in the snowy winter and brown or grey in the spring. This camouflage makes it easier for the fox to sneak up on its unsuspecting prey.
Arctic Hare
The Arctic Hare is a herbivorous primary consumer that feeds off of lichens and woody plants like the Arctic Willow. It is consumed by secondary and tertiary consumers such as the polar bear, Arctic fox and Arctic wolf. These hares can run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
Arctic Willow
The Arctic Willow is a producer fueled by the sun's energy. It is the world's northernmost woody plant. Its a low-growing shrub with woody roots and straight petal- less blossoms. It is eaten by small mammals such as the Arctic Hare.