APES Biome Assignment
Tundra
Locations
Climate & precipitation
Major physical characteristics of the Tundra -The ecology of the tundra is controlled by thecold climateand thenorthern latitude. The former means that a unique soil structure,permafrost, forms and dominates the biology. Permafrost is a layer of soil that remains frozen year-round. The soil above it may thaw during the summer, but the soil below remains frozen and biologically inactive. Further, the permafrost forms a barrier; in temperate climes many animals overwinter by burrowing down into the soil to a point below where the soil freezes. This is not possible in the tundra soils, and thus animals must contend with freezing over the winter. The reason why there are no amphibians or reptiles in the tundra.
Major plant life-Among the common types of tundra plants arewillows, sedgesandgrasses, many indwarf formscompared to their growth forms in warmer climes (artic poppy, and the arctic rose).Lichens and mosses are also abundant in this harsh climates.
Animals- the gyrfalcon the largest of the falcons.
The rock ptarmigans a ground dwelling bird
the snow bunting a small almost pure white bird
The snowy owl is a large species with distinctive, mainly white plumage.
The tundra swan
One of the few truly arctic mammals, the arctic fox has well-furred feet and small, rounded ears.
Caribou the 2nd largest land dwelling arctic mammal.
The polar bear.
The musk ox.
The Norway Lemming
The arctic bumblebee (bombis polaris) has dense fur that slows heat loss.
Bombus hyperboreus is a parasite in the nests of a different bumblebee species. Due to its parasitic lifestyle no workers are present. Queens and drones are similar.
Interesting information-
During the short summer, the tundraappearsmuchliketemperate grassland.
The word Tundra is derived from Russian it means "Tree less plain"
The tundra is known as the second most deadly environment in the world.
The tundra is considered the coldest of all biomes.
Tundra experiences summer from May to July. During this period the sun shines in this region throughout the day, even at midnight.
A major carbon sink, the tundra biome plays a vital role in keeping the global temperatures stable, by absorbing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
The arctic has Mosquitoes.
The arctic tundra only has one tree that grows there, called the dwarf willow tree with an average height of 4inches.