The Biome of Tundra

By Pablo Muñoz, Cynthia Iguado and Lidia Enriquez

What we will learn…??• The Geographic Locati on of the Tundra• The Biological Relationships• The Plants of the animals• The the Animals of the Tundra• Where they are found • What causes tundra• Subtropical Tundra's• Controlling Factors• References

The TundraTundra is described as an area where levels of subsoil beneath the surface of the earth are permanently frozen. This soil is referred to as permafrost. The level of earth above the permafrost will thaw in the short summer allowing plants to grow. This level will then freeze again in the winter and most of the plants will go dormant. The permafrost makes it difficult or impossible for trees to root down into the ground, so one of the characteristics of tundra is that it is often treeless and the land appears barren. Another characteristic of tundra is that it, like deserts, receives little precipitation. Tundra will also reach extremely frigid temperatures, especially in the winter when it receives little to no sunlight. Tundra has two variations, Arctic Tundra and Alpine Tundra. Arctic Tundra can be found near or north of the Arctic circle around the north pole. Alpine Tundra can be found at various latitudes on earth but is located at high altitudes on mountains where trees do not grow. Areas that have arctic tundra include: northern Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, northern Russia, and parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula (Norway, Sweden and Finland). Alpine tundra occurs throughout much of the world at high altitudes, generally beginning between 10,000 and 11,000 feet. Alpine tundra has similar conditions to arctic tundra including plant types and treeless terrain. Plant types of the alpine tundra include small shrubs and lichens.

Geographic Location

The Geographic location of the Tundra is that it is located in the North Pole of North America and it is also in Europe and Asia.

Tundra ClimateThe tundra climate is a transitional climate between the Subarctic and Ice cap climates. It is a region of rolling to nearly level terrain almost entirely devoid of trees. Polar climates like the tundra are characterized by very cold temperatures and generally dry conditions. Temperatures never rise above 10o C (50oF) during the summer. The tundra located near the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, experiences times when the Sun never rises above the horizon.

Ice mounds in the Alaskan tundra. Ice mounds are a product of ground heave caused by alternating freezing and thawing of permafrost

It is so cold in the tundra that permafrost, permanently frozen ground, is a prominent feature. Near the surface the "active" layer thaws during the summertime and subsides or moves down slope. During the winter, the surface heaves as it refreezes. The alternating freeze-thaw cycles make it difficult to build structures on such a surface. Geographic Distribution

The PlantsThe Calliergon giganteum grows in the arctic tundra which is a harsh cold environment in the Northern Hemisphere within the arctic circle. Arctic Moss is a water plant that grows in the bottom of lake beds. They have rhizoids instead of roots. Some years this plant will not grow more than a centimeter. When this plant is not growing it stores energy to make new leaves in the right season.

Salix arctica whose common name is Arctic willow or rock willow can be found in the North American tundra. This is also a plant that adapts to the tundra by being also cold and not needing a lot of water.

Bearberry is a low growing evergreen. It has a stem that rises 2-8" off the ground and is covered in a thick bark and fine silky hairs.

Bearberry is commonly found in dry, non-nutrient soils such as sand, soils on rock outcrops and shallow soils. These plants can survive in the Tundra because they grow in unnutrient dry areas, and they have silky hairs that help keep them warm.

Caribou moss grows in arctic and northern regions around the world. It grows on the ground and on rocks. It looks like a foamy, gray-green spongy mass, and grows to be 1 to 4 inches high. Lichen can survive for long periods of time without water. They just dry out and go dormant when there is little water or light. They can begin to grow again even after very long periods of dormancy.

The twigs on a willow are soft, slender, and they bend easily. A willow has thin branches. The leaves are narrow and grow alternately on the branch. Some leaves have serrated edges.This Plant grows next to the ground and saves water.

The Labrador tea plant grows to be 4 to 5 feet. It will grow up straight in the southern latitudes of the tundra, but in the colder northern latitudes it will creep over the ground forming a carpet. Bees are attracted to the flowers, but animals don't eat them because they are said to be slightly poisonous.

Pasque flower is a pretty tundra plant. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which is Latin for little frog. The name was given to the family because a group of plants in this family grow where frogs live. The Pasque flower, like all tundra plants, grows low to the ground to keep out of the cold climate. It is also covered in fine silky hairs, which help insulate it.

Tufted Saxifrage is a small perennial that grow in thick mats on the tundra. It has several straight flower stems which can get 3-15 cm high. The leaves are rigid and very hairy and only 5-10 mm long. Their tips divide into 3 globes. The Saxifrage has a well-developed underground root system forstoring carbohydrates, so that they can respond quickly to the cold weather of the tundra

Animals of the TundraPolar Bears can be found in the northern areas of Canada, Alaska, Russia and Norway. They are also located in various parts of Greenland. Polar Bears' diets consist mainly of seals. Polar Bears will use a variety of tactics while hunting seals, and these tactics will usually involve stealth and patience. Polar Bears will occasionally feed on other animals including walruses. Polar Bears will also sometimes feed on the carcases of dead whales. Polar Bears are often located near areas of water and ice floes where their favorite food - seals - can be found.

Polar Bears are among the largest land mammals on earth. Males can weigh between 700 - 1400 pounds and stand between 8 - 10 feet tall. Females are smaller than males, with weights averaging 350 - 700 pounds

The Caribou, or Reindeer, is located in northern countries such as Canada, Russia, Greenland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. It can also be found in the state of Alaska. The diet of the Caribou varies as the seasons change. In the summertime, when vegetation is more plentiful, Caribou will feed on a variety of plants including willow leaves. In the wintertime, Caribou will use their hooves to dig through snow to get to moss and other lichens that lie beneath the arctic surface. Caribou are migratory animals and are known for mass migrations across the tundra in search of food. Caribou are well adapted to living in the tundra with thick fur and skin that enable them to enter frigid rivers while migrating. Female Caribou will weigh about 200 pounds, and can weigh as little as 180 pounds as adults. Males weigh about twice as much on average but can weigh up to as much as 600 pounds. Caribou will stand from 35 - 55 inches at the shoulder.

The Arctic Fox is circumpolar and can be found throughout the Arctic region. This includes parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland Scandinavia, Svalbard, and Alaska. Arctic Foxes' diets consist of small mammals including voles and lemmings, as well as on birds and their eggs. Arctic Foxes are opportunistic and will sometimes scavenge on dead carcasses of animals, and they are often seen following Polar Bears to feed on the leftovers the bears leave behind. Arctic Foxes will also eat some vegetation such as berries. Like many foxes, the Arctic Fox builds a den. For the Arctic Fox the den can sometimes be in a hillside or river bank, and will usually have multiple entrances and exits. The Arctic Fox can be found in arctic or alpine tundra. The Arctic Fox measures 3 - 3.5 feet in length from head to tail. The weight of the Arctic Fox can range from 6 - 9 pounds, with females being smaller than males

The Arctic Hare is located in extreme northern Canada and various parts of Greenland. The Arctic Hare's diet consists of buds, berries, twigs, mosses, woody plants and other types of vegetation that can be found in the Arctic Hares can be found in various tundra areas of Greenland and northern Canada. They will sometimes forage shelters in the snow to help them survive the extremely cold temperatures of the tundra. The average length of an Arctic Hare is about 20 - 26 inches. Their weight will usually be between 8 and 14 pounds. Arctic Hares have an all white coat in the winter, and in the summer the coat may change to a blue-gray or gray-brown coat. Arctic Hares will mate in early spring and the female will give birth to a litter usually in June or early July.

The Snowy Owl is circumpolar and can be found in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and many areas north of the Arctic Circle. It has a wide distribution area and will at times migrate to areas south of the Arctic Circle. There have been reports of Snowy Owls in Ireland, China, and as far south as Texas and Georgia. Snowy Owls will most often feed on small rodents including lemmings and voles. Rabbits are another staple of the Snowy Owl's diet. The owls are opportunistic and will also feed on other types of birds such as ptarmigans as well as bird eggs of larger birds. Snowy Owls will build their nests on the ground, typically in a higher place than the surrounding land so that they will have good visibility to predators and prey. Snowy Owls are among the largest owls in the Arctic as well as North America. They range from 1.75 - 2 feet in length and have a wingspan of 4.5 - 5.5 feet. Snowy Owls are white with dark spots, and the amount of spots will vary from owl to owl

The Musk Ox can be found in various locations throughout northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia. At one point they were eradicated in Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia, but have since been successfully re-introduced to some areas in those countries. Musk Oxen are vegetarian and will eat much of the vegetation that is available in the tundra. This includes willow shoots, lichens, grasses and shrubs. Musk Oxen are roaming animals that live in herds. A herd will often remain in a certain range where it will have access to food and water, and will roam within that range throughout the seasons to locate those resources. Musk Oxen will reach lengths between 6 and 7.5 feet and have a shoulder height between 4 and 5 feet. Their weight can vary from 400 to 900 pounds.

The rock ptarmigan is circumpolar and can be found in many areas north of the Arctic Circle, including countries such as Russia, Sweden, Canada, Iceland and Greenland. In some instances they may be found further south in places like Japan. Adult ptarmigans will feed on leaves, flowers, berries, buds, twigs and other types of vegetation. Young ptarmigan chicks will also be fed insects in addition to vegetation. Rock ptarmigans can often be found in elevated, rocky, sloped areas of the tundra. Females and chicks may prefer areas with brush to protect them from predators, while males may prefer open, barren areas to assist them in locating predators and other ptarmigans. Rock ptarmigans measure between 12 - 16 inches in length. The Rock ptarmigans may molt several times a year and will change colors when it does so.

Adaptations of the Animals

The Adaptations of the Animals of the Biome Tundra are that its that they all have thick coats to cover them from the cold. These Animals all have different colors of fur and that happens because of the weather. They also need them so they can camouflage from predators. They also have the adaptations of living in the cold and of not drinking that much water. They are also adapted to eat other animals so they can survive. All these animals have to eat other animals so they can survive, others eat plants that grow in the Tundra.

Alpine TundraThe tallest life zone, the alpine tundra can be found at any latitude on earth. yet, the elevation that the alpine tundra begins is different depending on where you are. For instance, on the tall Mexican Volcano's, the treelike is much higher than anywhere in the United states. It occurs around 13,000 feet. In Colorado, the Tundra begins around 11,500 feet. Farther north, in Alaska, the Tundra can form at only a few thousand feet elevation!

The Difference and SimilaritiesThe Differences between the Artic Tundra and the Alpine Tundra is that

The Alpine Tundra is in the high elevations of the Moutains and theArtic Tundra comes in the North Pole. Another thing is that the

Alpine Tundra has a lot of tree and the Artic Tundra doesn't.All the animals in the Artic Tundra have thick fur. While the Alpine Tundra has a animals that don’t have thick fur and that are warm.

What Causes Tundra…??Artic Tundra

The thing that causes Tundra's are that the Artic Tundra is cold and

dry and animals that have to live there while they are kept warm by large thick fur that covers there whole body

up.

Alpine Tundra

The alpine Tundra is caused by high mountains and alsocold temperatures they are also dry like the Artic Tundra.

Controlling FactorsThe tundra climate is directly tied to its location in high latitudes. Here, the subsidence and divergence of the polar anticyclone is an important control over the climate. The subsidence associated with high pressure decreases the chances for precipitation. Located at such a high latitude creates low temperatures that reduces moisture content of the air. Arctic front cyclones bring moisture bearing winds to the tundra climate.

Were they are found..??

The tundra is located at the top of the world, near the North Pole. This enormous biome, extremely uniform in appearance, covers a fifth of the earth's surface.

The most distinctive characteristic of tundra soil is its permafrost, a permanently frozen layer of ground. During the brief summers, the top section of the soil may thaw out allowing plants and microorganisms to grow and reproduce. However, these plants and microorganisms become dormant during the cold winter months. There is another region called alpine tundra, which is found on the tops of tall, cold mountains.

VOCABULARYPermafrost : (in arctic or subarctic regions) perennially frozen subsoil.

REFERENCES http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/images/tundra/alaskapipeline1.jpg

http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/tundra_1.html

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_page.htm

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/polarbear.html

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/caribou.html

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/arcticfox.html

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/arctichare.html

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/snowyowl.html

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/muskox.html

http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/rockptarmigan.html

http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/index.html