Tundra

Climate

• In the Tundra, the winter temperature averages about -30F

• In the summer, the average temperature is close to 45F.

Alpine Tundra

• Some features of the Alpine Tundra are:– It does not contain trees due to high altitude.– It’s soils are better drained due to the lack of

permafrost.– It has dwarf shrubs close to the ground.– It is located in mountains worldwide.– It’s low climate is caused by low air pressure.

Plant Adaptations

• Most of the plants are small, grow close together and close to the ground. This protects them from the cold temperatures and the strong winds.

• Some flowering plants have fuzzy coverings on the stems, leaves and buds to provide protection from the wind. Some have woolly seed covers.

• Flowering plants use the long hours of sunlight to produce flowers quickly in the short growing season.

Animal Adaptations1-Short and stocky arms and legs.

2- Thick, insulating cover of feathers or fur.

3- Color changing feathers or fur: brown in summer, and white in winter.

4- Thick fat layer gained quickly during spring in order to have continual energy and warmth during winter months

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..Animal Adaptations

5- Many tundra animals have adapted especially to prevent their bodily fluids from freezing solid.

6- Resident animals like the ptarmigan and the ground squirrel use solar heating to stay warm and save energy. Both animals stay out in the sun to warm up and during the summer when the weather is warm, move into the shade to cool off.

Threats

• The melting of the permafrost as a result of global warming could radically change the landscape and what species are able to live there.

• Ozone depletion at the North and South Poles means stronger ultraviolet rays that will harm the tundra.

• Air pollution can cause smog clouds that contaminate lichen, a significant food source for many animals.

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...Threats

• Exploration of oil, gas, and minerals and construction of pipelines and roads can cause physical disturbances and habitat fragmentation.

• Oil spills can kill wildlife and significantly damage tundra ecosystems.

• Buildings and roads put heat and pressure on the permafrost, causing it to melt.

• Invasive species push aside native vegetation and reduce diversity of plant cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WysPqt0Y_-w&feature=related