TERRESTRIAL

ECOLOGY
Lecture IV

TUNDRA

TUNDRA

TUNDRA
It is noted for its frost-molded
Tundra is the
landscapes, extremely low
coldest of all
temperatures, little
the biomes.
precipitation, poor nutrients,
and short growing seasons.

TUNDRA
Characteristics of tundra include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Extremely cold climate

Low biotic diversity
Simple vegetation structure
Limitation of drainage
Short season of growth and reproduction
Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic
material

TWO TYPES OF TUNDRA

The Arctic/Polar Tundra:

Found

near the
north and south
polar regions.

Arctic/Polar Tundra Map

Alpine Tundra
Found

on
mountainsides and
high-elevation
plateaus

Alpine Tundra
Map

CLIMATE

The Tundra has freezing winter

temperatures and cool, short
summers.

There is a layer of frozen soil called

permafrost which is frozen all year
round. Summer temperatures remain
below 10 degrees Celsius and in the
winter temperatures can drop below
-56 degrees Celsius.

Precipitation

The tundra gets an annual precipitation of 15 centimeters. Thats not much compared to the rainforest
that gets 90 centimeters.

Permafrost
Permafrost

is a permanent layer of ice. This layer is

temporarily melted in the summer months for a short
6-10 week growing season.

Plants of the Tundra

Not many plants can survive the harsh climate of the tundra
Most tundra plants survive by growing low to the ground
They grow between rocks to protect themselves from the wind
Some plants survive because they possess the ability to reproduce quickly,
which is helpful during a short growing season
Some plants, such as lichens, are able to grow on bare rock

CAUSHION PLANTS

Theyre called cushion plants b/c they grow in

a low tight clump and look like a little cushion.

Theyre more common in the tundra where

their growth habitat helps protect them from
the cold.

Animals of Tundra

The frigid cold and deep snow makes life in the tundra very difficult.

Animals are adapted to handle long, cold winters and to breed and raise young quickly in the
summer.

Some have grown thick fur which turns white in the winter.

Mammals and birds have additional insulation from fat.

Others find a place to hibernate during the winter months b/c food is not abundant.

Reptiles & amphibians are few or absent b/c of extremely cold temp.

Arctic Hare
Their

small shape conserves heat,

this explains their unusually small
ears
They have a thick coat of fur
White in the winter, blue-gray in
the spring protects them from
predators
Dig snow shelters and huddle
together to keep warm

Arctic Wolf

Arctic

wolves have thick foot

pads on their feet to protect
them from the wet and cold
Arctic wolves have extremely
good hearing. They can hear
another wolf from 5 miles
away. This intense hearing
helps when your hunting
scarce prey.

Polar Bear

Giant, partially webbed paws with

long, non-retractable nails help the
polar bear dig in snow and ice to
create dens it uses for shelter
These paws are also used as
paddles, with which polar bears use
to swim for many hours
Use glossy guard hairs, a thick
undercoat, and a layer of fat to
protect themselves from the cold

Musk Oxen
Musk

oxen have two thick

layers of fur.
One is used to trap heat and
insulate the body
The second is to protect the
musk ox from wind and water
Large, hard hooves allow the
musk ox to break ice and
drink water during the winter
months

Sled Dog
Thick

fur and amazing

stamina

They

know how to adapt to

the frigid conditions in the
tundra.

Dogs

curl themselves up to
protect from the harsh wind.

The

dogs must mush and

work as a team in order to
survive.

Human Effects on Tundra

In history, humans have had a very small impact on the tundra.
But recently, people have obtained modernized tools
and technology to make better use of the land. This
technology has a big impact on tundra ecosystem. The
slightest disturbance can drastically alter the
environment and make it unlivable for plants and
animals.

Oil drilling is an example of a harmful technology.

If there was an oil spill an entire ecosystem could
be eradicated.
Modern tools make it easier to eliminate a species
from a certain area without even realizing it.