What is the Arctic Tundra?
The Tundra is located in the North America, Europe, Asia, as well as a few regions of Antarctica. It is in the northern hemisphere is the second largest vegetation zone in Canada. It can be divided into three different sections. These sections are called the High Arctic Tundra, the Low Arctic Tundra and the Alpine Tundra. The latter Alpine Tundra is found in higher altitudes such as mountains. The Low Arctic Tundra is located above Canada’s Boreal forests. The High Arctic Tundra is located farther north and includes the Arctic circle and most of the western Northwest Territories. Because climate does not correspond with vegetation zones, the Tundra is located in Arctic climate areas.
Climate/ Weather
The climate of the Arctic tundra is one of the coldest parts of the world and goes below freezing point during the winter months. Plants are not very common because it is so cold and the soil is starts to freeze and remains frozen in as shallow as 70centimeters all year. The only plants that can survive the cold is the native plants of the Arctic tundra region. These plants include moss, lichen and low-growing heath.The two seasons in the Arctic tundra are summer and winter. The sun will shine all the time during the summer months. In the winter, temperatures can go as low as -50 °C, but it ususally stays between -25 °C to -30 °C. The highest recorded temperature was 15 °C. The average temperature is between 3 °C and 13 °C on an average. The Arctic tundra is very windy with many blizzards everyday, during the winters. There is almost no moisture in the tundra atmosphere. But, sometimes there is precipitation, but there is no more than 10 centimeters. In the summer may melt some ice, making soggy soil.
Animals of the tundra
The tundra has such harsh weather that the Arctic tundra is only home to
about 48 species of land mammals and a few fish. During the summer, a large number of birds migrate to the Arctic tundra. Some of the species include Squirrels, Whales, Polar Bears, Ptarmigan, Snowy Owl, Ravens, Seals, Walruses,Tundra Wolf, Arctic Wolf, Caribou, Musk Oxen, Wolverine, Arctic Fox, Ermine, Arctic Hare, Lemmings, Arctic Ground, etc. Other animals include polar bears, muskox, and lemmings.
about 48 species of land mammals and a few fish. During the summer, a large number of birds migrate to the Arctic tundra. Some of the species include Squirrels, Whales, Polar Bears, Ptarmigan, Snowy Owl, Ravens, Seals, Walruses,Tundra Wolf, Arctic Wolf, Caribou, Musk Oxen, Wolverine, Arctic Fox, Ermine, Arctic Hare, Lemmings, Arctic Ground, etc. Other animals include polar bears, muskox, and lemmings.
plants of the tundra
The plants in the Tundra are not very common. The plants include mosses, lichen and some low growing heath. That is really the only vegetation that will survive in the Arctic tundra climate. Trees can not grow in this region because they are not able to stand. The soil is too frozen for the roots to be able to survive there.There are about 1700 species of life forms. These species include Orange Lichen,Cottongrass, Cushion Plants, Arctic Willow, and the Arctic Poppy.
Interesting Facts
-The word Tundra means "Tree less plain"
-The tundra is kown as the second most deadly environment in the world.
-The tundra is considered the coldest of all biomes.
enviromental threats
The Arctic Tundra has many environmental threats. These threats include air pollution, climate change, habitat destruction, ozone depletion, and oil spills. But, the biggest threat is truly climate change. Climate change is causing the melting of the ice in the tundra. This causes an excess of water, and less land for the animals, such as the polar bear, to live on. Climate change is caused by the warming of the earth by pollution. If the climate change of the arctic tundra is not stopped, then innocent animals could drown in the enormous amounts of water and the very little amounts of ice.
reasons to visit
The tundra is the coldest biome on the planet. A trip to this biome would consist of a lot of cold. This trip would be more of a learning experience, rather than a getaway. The
tundra offers some beautiful views and interesting wildlife to explore and learn about.
This biome is only for visitors willing to brave the arctic cold
tundra offers some beautiful views and interesting wildlife to explore and learn about.
This biome is only for visitors willing to brave the arctic cold
works cited
Shukla, Ishani Chatterjee. "The Arctic Tundra." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/arctic-tundra-climate.html>.
Bartrum, Pete. "The Tundra: Described." The Tundra: Described. The Wild Classroom, 25 May 2011. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/TUNDRA.html>.
Carter, Daniel. "Arctic Tundra." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_tundra>.
Montanaro, Justice. "Earth Floor: Biomes." Earth Floor: Biomes. Earth Floor, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/tundra.html>.
Bartrum, Pete. "The Tundra: Described." The Tundra: Described. The Wild Classroom, 25 May 2011. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/TUNDRA.html>.
Carter, Daniel. "Arctic Tundra." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_tundra>.
Montanaro, Justice. "Earth Floor: Biomes." Earth Floor: Biomes. Earth Floor, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/tundra.html>.