Tundra
Vast, treeless Arctic region in which the subsoil is frozen
Climate
The average winter temperature is -30 degrees F. The average summer temperature is 37 to 54 degrees F. The average rainfall yearly is 6-10 inches. The tundra has an extremely cold climate and a short season of growth and development. In the winter it is cold and dark. In the summer it is soggy because the layer of permafrost melts.
Vitals of Biome
The tundra is located between the 60 to 75 degree latitude lines. Some of the abiotic factors include little rainfall, strong winds, low temperatures, and poor soil.
Animals in the tundra
Some of the animals that can be found in the tundra are arctic foxes, polar bears, snowy owls, caribou, grizzly bears, and musk oxes. The arctic fox adapts by making its home in burrows which are usually in frost free ground. The polar bear adapts by their thick coat of fur. Their black skin also absorbs heat which keeps them warm. The snowy owl adapts by migrating south during the winter season. The caribou adapts by going into semi hibernation during the winter. Their hooves support them in the snow and marsh. The grizzly bear adapts by going into hibernation, and they have layers of fat that keep them warm. The musk ox adapts by having long hair and a wooly undercoat to keep them warm. They travel in a pack to higher grounds during the winter. All animals of the tundra have to adapt to the extreme conditions and short reproducing seasons.
Plants in the tundra
A layer of permafrost sits on top of the soil, so there are no deep root systems. There is barely any vegetation, but some of it includes shrubs, reindeer mosses, liverworts, crustose, and foliose lichen. These plants adapt to sweeping winds and disturbances in the soil. The plants are short and group together to resist cold temperatures. The soil lacks nutrients, so the plants are small and low to the ground. The growing season is also very short, so the plants adapt to that too.
Food Web
An example of competition is the red fox and the arctic fox both competing against each other for food and territory. Another example is the musk ox and the caribou who compete for food and territory. An example of a predator/prey relationship would be the wolf(predator) feeds on the caribou(prey). The polar bear(predator) feeds on the arctic fox(prey). The snowy owl(predator) feeds on the lemmings(prey). Last, the brown bear(predator) feeds on the arctic hare(prey).
Ecological Concerns
People who moved to the tundra to work in mines and oil rigs have disturbed animal life by building towns and roads. The feeding habits of the animals have been disrupted, and as a result many polar bears have starved to death. The Alaskan oil pipeline was built across caribou territory, and in some places the caribou are unable to pass over it. Pesticides have been used to control insects, so the birds who feed on those insects have been affected. Pollution from mining has polluted the air, rivers, and lakes. The tundra is a fragile environment, and it doesn't take much for it to be damaged. With that said, humans need to be careful so that they do not damage this biome.