Tundra Emily Allain + Brittany Hartery

Location The tundra is the region in the farther northern hemisphere, most of it’s area being in Canada and Russia and a smaller amount bordering Greenland.

Climate This biome is in the north, and is therefore quite cold. the ground is made of permafrost soil. This means that it is frozen throughout the year cm below the surface. The temperature may drop to -50 degrees Celsius in the winter, and during summer the top levels of permafrost melt, leaving a boggy expanse of marshes, lakes, and streams. Very little precipitation occurs, as the colder atmosphere has a lower capacity to hold water vapor.

Defining Features There are two types of tundra: arctic (northern hemisphere) and alpine (high altitudes where trees cannot grow). All tundra have very cold climates and low amounts of nutrients. There is a small diversity of organisms, small and simple vegetation structures, and limited drainage. Nutrients come from dead organic material.

Plant Adaptations Plants in the tundra are short and tend to group together to protect themselves again high winds and cold temperatures. They are able to carry out photosynthesis at low temperatures, and reproduce by budding and division. The growing season is short, at about 60 days per year. Plants include flowers (400 varieties), shrubs, sedges, mosses, grasses, and lichen. Plants have short root systems to help them absorb moisture when the permafrost melts. Areas below the permafrost do not melt.

Animal Adaptations Animals have become adapted to living in the tundra with the following: Short, stocky arms and legs. Thick feathers and fur. Feathers or fur that change color in different seasons. They are able to gain fat very quickly to protect against the cold, and to prevent bodily fluids from freezing solid. Many use solar heating to conserve energy and keep warm. Some insects have anti-freeze agents in their bodies and can dehydrate themselves to prevent freezing.

Threats Due to global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures are lowering in the tundra. As one third of the world’s soil-bound carbon lies in the tundra’s permafrost and will begin to decay once the permafrost melts, more carbon dioxide will be released in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. Air pollution contaminates lichen, which is a significant food source for many tundra organisms. The harvesting of minerals and fossil fuels, as well as the spills and roads left behind from these harvestings, are of extreme threat to tundra habitats.

Solutions Alternate energy sources that emit less pollutants into the atmosphere Protective areas need to be established where human populations cannot interfere with the natural landscape. There needs to be limits on tourism, road construction, and excavations of materials.

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