Tundra
The Icy Biome
What is the tundra like?
The tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. They are mostly located in far northern regions, covering about 20% of earth's surface!
Characteristics of tundra include:
- Extremely cold climate
- Low biotic diversity
- Simple vegetation structure
- Limitation of drainage
- Short season of growth and reproduction
- Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material
- Large population oscillations
arcticyellowrocks.yolasite.com
alaskabiologist.asu.edu
Abiotic Factors
Rainfall: Yearly precipitation, including melting snow, is (6 to 10 inches)
Temperature: Winter- (-30° F) Summer- (37-54° F)
Temperature: Winter- (-30° F) Summer- (37-54° F)
What plants live in the Tundra?
All pictures from http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_page.htm.
Bearburry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a low growing evergreen with five petals that are pale pink or white. The fruit is a red berry and is a part of the angiospermophyta phyla.
Arctic Moss
The Calliergon giganteum is an aquatic plant found growing on the bottom of tundra lake beds and in and around bogs and fens. Like all mosses, Calliergon giganteum is a bryophyte.
Tufted Saxifrage
Saxifraga caespitosa is a small perennial that grow in thick mats of crevices and rocky slopes in the tundra.This plant is a part of the angiospermophyta phyla.
What animals live in the Tundra?
All photos from http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_animal_page.htm
Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus live in large flocks and can fly.
Caribou
Rangifer Tarandus are large members of the deer family.
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus are arctic bears.
Atlantic Salmon
(Salmo salar) is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean, in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic.
Ermine
Mustela Erminea is a small carnivore.
Snowy Owl
Nyctea scandiaca is considered one of the largest and most attractive owls.
Ecological Warrior
The melting of the permafrost as a result of global warming could radically change the landscape and what species are able to live there. Ozone depletion at the North and South Poles means stronger ultraviolet rays that will harm the tundra.