Tundra Biome

The climate both wet and dry

The Tundra

Arctic & Alpine

The Two Major Tundras

Arctic

is located in the far north.

Alpine

is found in mountainous areas above tree line

Abiotic factors of the arctic tundra

Extremely low temperatures (-70 to a summer high in the 70s or 80s)

Very short growing season (from 3 weeks in some areas to 6 weeks in others)

Light for half the year while dark the other half. The constant sunshine in the summer does cause some plants to thrive even though the growing season is short.

Low precipitation - could be considered a desert if it had a warmer temperature.

Elevation & Altitude

This diagram explains the connection between

Tundra Biome

is basically a grassland with no dominant species

Tundra plant species

must be adapted for dry conditions as well as freezing cold.

permafrost

is permanently frozen soil

Permafrost prevents

water from soaking into the ground

Mammals of the tundra

Arctic wolf

Tundra grizzly bear

Arctic fox

Caribou

Fish of the tundra

Arctic char

Salmon

Grayling

Birds of the tundra

Snowy owl

Willow ptarmigan

Buntings

Organisms not found in the tundra

There are no reptiles and amphibians found in the arctic tundra,

All Vegetation in the tundra is

low to the ground. There are no proper trees

Animal adaptations to the tundra

Insulation

Bergman's law

Polar whiteness syndrome

Animal Biotic Factors

Huddle in groups

Seek shelter

Curl up in a ball to reduce surface area exposed to cold.

Hibernation

is not very prominent. Bears are not true hibernators.

Migration

is very prominent (leave the area) - caribou, water fowl, with carnivores following the herds.

Plant's 2 major problems

the cold and drying out

Plant adaptations

Short and bunched together - keeps them out of the wind.

99% of plants are annual - don't have to waste time each year starting over.

Ephemerals - plants that grow quickly when the conditions are right, spend harsh times of the year as seeds, or dormant.

Insulation

Bergmans law

Polar whiteness syndrome

This owl demonstrates all three of these traits

Average Yearly Precipitation

6 to 10 inches.

Average Yearly Range Temperature

-30 F in winter and 37-54 F in summer.

Arctic Fox

Has a long and bushy tail for warmth, their feet are lined with fur to conserve heat.

Polar Bear

Thick layer of blubber, hallow shafts of their hair provide insulation, short ears and tail reduces heat loss, long necks so their heads stay above water when swimming.

Grizzly Bear

Thick coat with layers of fat and they hibernate.

Insulation

Material used to restrict the flow of heat, cold, or sound from one surface to another.

Bergman's law

farther from the equator, the larger the body size

Polar whiteness syndrome

change to white color in winter. Adds camouflage as well as warmth. White fur and feathers are better insulators and white radiates less heat.