Tundra (cold desert) Climate Regions

Arctic Tundra : Location Areas with tundra are found near the North Pole, mostly near northern Canada and Russia. Tundra

Characteristics of a Tundra Climate Maximum temperatures no higher than 10ºC Minimum temperatures of -20ºC or lower The precipitation is less than 250mm (a cold desert) A little rain or snow every month.

Tundra Climate The climate of Hebron, Canada: a typical tundra climate

Tundra DvD We are going to watch a DvD on the Tundra climate region. You must take notes on 4 different sections. ClimateAnimals People and way of lifeProblems of the tundra

Starter Walk around, talk about. You must walk around quietly. When the teacher says stop you stop and talk to the person closest to you about……………

Top Tundra Fact The coldest inhabited town in the world is Olmyaken, in Russia, where temperatures have reached as low as -71ºC

Advantages and disadvantages of the tundra

Tundra Advantages Summer days are long: on at least one day a year, inside the Artic Circle, the sun does not set. Because it is so cold, there are few bacteria, viruses and flies to spread disease. A variety of animals that can be hunted for their meat and fur, for example polar bears, seals, beavers and reindeer, all live in this climate.

Main animals hunted Polar bears Seals Beavers Reindeer & Caribou

Tundra Animals

Tundra Disadvantages People who make a living from herding animals have to be nomadic In winter there is at least one day inside the Arctic Circle when the sun does not rise It is too cold to grow crops so food has to be brought in, which is expensive Just below the surface the soil is permanently frozen (permafrost) The climate also makes living conditions very difficult

The people of the Tundra During the time we spend studying the hot desert we focussed on plants and animals and how they have adapted. Now we will look at the people of the Tundra and their lifestyle.

Starter: With the person sitting beside you choose who is number 1 and 2. You will answer the questions that come up on the board and tell your partner the answer. Number 1. Describe the climate of the Tundra. Number 2. Describe the location of the Tundra. Number 1. What type of animals are found in the Tundra. Number 2. What are some of the advantages of living in the Tundra? Number 1. What are some of the disadvantages of living in the Tundra. Number 2. Why is there no vegetation in the Tundra? Where will people get fruit and veg?

Problems caused by climate Bare flesh will freeze in minutes and any flesh that touches metal will freeze onto it Blizzards, fog and ice make travel very risky Car engines must be kept running all day Car tyres shatter in the cold Little daylight for 6 months a year

Cold injuries

Permafrost Permafrost is a layer of permanently frozen ground (soil and rock to a depth of over 300 metres) that is found 1 metre below the surface of the ground. Permafrost Active layer Permanently frozen ground Frozen in winter, thaws in summer

Problems caused by Permafrost Buildings are on wooden piles, so that the heat from the building does not thaw the permafrost and cause the building to sink Water and sewage pipes cannot be put underground as the water would freeze and the pipes would crack Piles have to be drilled into the permafrost Roads have to be built on gravel mounds so they don’t subside in summer