Tundra
Andrew Kristanto
Tundra
The tundra is the coldest and driest biome and it covers about one-fifth of the land on earth. It is located in the arctic circle, which surrounds the north pole. Abiotic factors that affect the tundra include strong winds, temperature, rainfall, and permafrost
Climate
Plant Life
There are about 1,700 species of plant life in the tundra. These plants grow only during the growing season, which last up to 60 days, with very little rain fall. Examples of plants that live in the tundra include arctic moss, terrestrial algae, cotton grass, pasque flower, and crustose lichen. These plants have certain ways to adapt to the climate. They are all short and grouped together to protect each other from strong winds and low temperature. They have hairy stems and dark leaves to help absorb energy from the sun. In order to survive, these plants also use as little energy as possible. During the winter, these plants stay dorment, inactive, waiting for the next growing season.
Animals
Competition
Because they have similar diets, they fight over territory with the foods.
Cooperation
Tundra Threats
There are several threats to the tundra and the species living in it. Global warming can be one of the largest threats to the biome. Many scientists believe global warming can be the cause of the destruction of the biome. Threats that increase habitat loss include mining and oil drilling and people moving north. The polar bear and peary caribou are both endangered species in the tundra. The tundra plays a large role in regulating temperature on Earth. The air rising from the equator is cooled in the tundra then it falls back to the equator. This is the cause of air currents and weather.
Interesting Facts
- The word "tundra" means the land of no trees.
- The tundra is believed to be the youngest biome that was formed about 10,000 years ago.
- 3/4 of the tundra is permafrost.