The Tundra Biome: Arctic and Alpine Tundra
By: J. L.
March, 28, 2013
The Tundra Biome There are two types of tundra ecosystems: the arctic tundra and the alpine tundra. The tundra biome has several unique characteristics. The climate is very cold there is little diversity, and a "short season of growth and reproduction occurs" (1). The Finnish word tunturia, which means treeless plain, was the inspiration for the words tundra (4). The formation, plants, and animals that are associated with this biome have several attributes that make them remarkable, and this biome is also effected by human actions.
The arctic tundra has an exclusive way of forming and a small variety of plants and animals. The tundra has an exclusive way for forming. The snow melts leaving water on the surface soil. Since the permafrost cannot absorb the remaining water, the top layer of soil is left wet. Evaporation cannot take place since the air is too cool (5). This leaves the only reasonable explanation left. The land formation of the tundra is formed by freezing, thawing, and refreezing the soggy soil (5). There are only about 48 species of animals that are able to survive in the tundra habitat. Animals such as polar bears, arctic foxes, musk ox, wolves, and caribou live in there. Each animal has to play their role in society in order for all organisms, or most organisms, to survive (3). During the winter seasons, the animals' fur grows longer and thicker to keep them warm in the cold weather (4). The animals also "have an extra layer of fat to keep them warm" (4). There is a very limited amount of plant life in the tundra biome because of the permafrost. For example, trees are not able to grow because their roots cannot survive in the cold temperatures. Plants grow in groups to try to withstand the winds, which can blow as hard as 100 mph (4). Plants such as moss, heath, and lichen have adapted so that photosynthesis is able to occur in the "low light and cold temperatures" (4). This uncommon biome impresses researchers
March, 28, 2013
The Tundra Biome There are two types of tundra ecosystems: the arctic tundra and the alpine tundra. The tundra biome has several unique characteristics. The climate is very cold there is little diversity, and a "short season of growth and reproduction occurs" (1). The Finnish word tunturia, which means treeless plain, was the inspiration for the words tundra (4). The formation, plants, and animals that are associated with this biome have several attributes that make them remarkable, and this biome is also effected by human actions.
The arctic tundra has an exclusive way of forming and a small variety of plants and animals. The tundra has an exclusive way for forming. The snow melts leaving water on the surface soil. Since the permafrost cannot absorb the remaining water, the top layer of soil is left wet. Evaporation cannot take place since the air is too cool (5). This leaves the only reasonable explanation left. The land formation of the tundra is formed by freezing, thawing, and refreezing the soggy soil (5). There are only about 48 species of animals that are able to survive in the tundra habitat. Animals such as polar bears, arctic foxes, musk ox, wolves, and caribou live in there. Each animal has to play their role in society in order for all organisms, or most organisms, to survive (3). During the winter seasons, the animals' fur grows longer and thicker to keep them warm in the cold weather (4). The animals also "have an extra layer of fat to keep them warm" (4). There is a very limited amount of plant life in the tundra biome because of the permafrost. For example, trees are not able to grow because their roots cannot survive in the cold temperatures. Plants grow in groups to try to withstand the winds, which can blow as hard as 100 mph (4). Plants such as moss, heath, and lichen have adapted so that photosynthesis is able to occur in the "low light and cold temperatures" (4). This uncommon biome impresses researchers