Y9 Geography - Characteristics of cold environments

Climate

-50 in polar winters, -20 in tundra winters, low snow in polar, higher snow in tundra

Soils

Polar - permanently frozen, tundra - permafrost that can melt in summer water logging

Plants

Polar - mosses and lichens, tundra -more; bearberry and arctic moss

Animals

Polar bears and arctic foxes - thick fur for insulation, white fur for camouflage, black noses foot pads to absorb sunlight, small ears to reduce heat loss

Bearberry adaptations

Very low growing, stems have thick bark for wind stability, small leathery leaves retain water, hairy stems retain heat,