0
Tundra
A treeless region characterized by extremely low temperatures, little precipitation and poor nutrients.
1,838 Questions
What are 2 density dependent and independent factors to the tundra biome?
Two examples of density independent factors of the tundra biome are the extreme temperatures and the excessive winds. Two examples of density dependent factors are weather and competition between the species.
Terrestrial biomes are land-based biomes of differing climates that are known for predominant vegetation and wildlife. Some examples are grasslands, savannah, tundra, and temperate deciduous forests.
What type of soil does the tundra have?
The word tundra derives from the Finnish word for barren or treeless land. The tundra is the simplest biome in terms of species composition and food chains.
Vegetation: lichens, mosses,sedges, perennial forbs, and dwarfed shrubs, (often heaths, but also birches and willows).
Growthforms: typical are ground-hugging and other warmth-preserving forms including:
- tussock-forming graminoids
- mats or cushion plants, often evergreen members of the heath family
- rosettes
- dwarf shrubs, some of which are deciduous in habit
Climate: The high latitude conditions of Koeppen's ET climate type that impact life in this biome include
- extremely short growing season (6 to 10 weeks)
- long, cold, dark winters (6 to 10 months with mean monthly temperatures below 32° F or 0° C.)
- low precipitation (less than five inches/year) coupled with strong, drying winds. Snowfall is actually advantageous to plant and animal life as it provides an insulating layer on the ground surface.
Edaphic controls: Permafrost, not cold temperatures per se, is generally believed to be what prevents tree growth. Furthermore, freeze-thaw activity, a thin active layer, and solifluction during the warmer months contribute to strong controls on vegetation patterns and create a mosaic of microhabitats and plant communities.
Soil: No true soil is developed in this biome due to the edaphic factors mentioned above.
Fauna: Strategies evolved to withstand the harsh conditions of the tundra can be divided among those species that are resident and those that are migratory.
- Among the small number of bird (e.g., ptarmigan) and mammal (e.g., muskox, arctic hare, arctic fox, musk ox) species that reside year-round on the tundra one commonly finds:Morphological adaptations
- large, compact bodies following Bergmann's and Allen's rules
- a thick insulating cover of feathers or fur
- pelage and plumage that turns white in winter, brown in summer
- ability to accumulate thick deposits of fat during the short growing season. Fat acts as insulation and as a store of energy for use during the winter, when animal species remain active.
- cyclical fluctuations in population size, best seen perhaps in the lemming, a small rodent which is the major herbivore in the tundra's simple food chain. Predator populations and plant populations respond in kind to the peaks and crashes of the herbivore populations.
- Migratory species such as waterfowl, shorebirds and caribou adapt to the tundra by avoiding the most severe conditions of winter. Each year at the end of the short growing season they move southward into the boreal forest or beyond, but return to the tundra to breed.
Aperiodic emigration from the tundra is exhibited by the snowy owl during those years that the lemming populations have crashed. Those winters see snowy owl irruptions as far south as Virginia. Most owls are found with empty stomachs and do not survive to return to the Arctic.
Distribution: The tundra biome is restricted to the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere in a belt around the Arctic Ocean. Many of its species, both plant and animal, have circumpolar distribution areas.
Within the tundra biome a latitudinal zonation of communities is realized:
- High Arctic Tundra: essentially confined to the islands of the Arctic Ocean and characterized by scattered lichens and mosses on care rock surfaces and perennial forbs growing in protected crannies among sharp, ice-fractured rock debris.
- Middle Arctic Tundra: restricted to the Arctic Coastal plain where level terrain, a thin active layer, and freeze and thaw result in patterned ground, or rock polygons. The sorting of particles by freeze-thaw activity results in a waterlogged center to the polygons, a microhabitat conducive to sphagnum moss and sedges; and an outer ring that is drier and provides a microhabitat favorable to forbs and some dwarf heaths.
- Low Arctic Tundra: the majority of the tundra lies on better drained slopes with greater depth to permafrost than is encountered on the Arctic coastal plain. Here there is a greater frequency of woody shrubs: willow, birch, and various berry-bearing members of the heath family. Along streams willows and alders may be 10 feet high. On south-facing slopes needleleaf evergreen trees (spruce and fir) are established and represent the northernmost extensions of the great boreal forest to the south. (Such areas where two biomes interdigitate are known asecotones.)Alpine TundraMany tundra species can be found at high elevations in the mountains of the northern hemisphere. The arctic-alpine lifezone of high elevations experiences a different climate--in terms of daylength and seasons--than does the true tundra of the Arctic. However, thin soils and cold temperatures create an environment that many middle latitude trees cannot tolerate and thus allow tundra species to invade and thrive.
In the tropics, the climate of very high elevations is extremely different than that of the Arctic. Freeze-thaw, instead of following a seasonal cycle, follows a diurnal cycle. Also, the peaks are isolated from the Arctic tundra. Often endemic species derived from a tropical flora or from Antarctic flora create the unique communities of tropical high mountain tops. SeeTropical Lifezones for additional information and some photographs of the giant lobelias and groundsels of Mt. Kenya.Return to biome pageCreated by SLW, September 30, 1996
What is the average annual precipitation in the tundra?
The average annual precipitation in the tundra typically ranges from 6 to 10 inches. This low precipitation is mainly in the form of snow due to the cold climate.
What is the Average monthly precipitation in the tundra biome?
The average monthly precipitation in the tundra biome is typically low, ranging from about 25mm to 75mm per month. This is due to the cold temperatures limiting the amount of moisture in the air available for precipitation. The tundra biome primarily experiences snowfall rather than rainfall.
Average rainfall of the tundras?
The average annual rainfall in tundras is typically very low, ranging from 6 to 10 inches. Tundras are characterized by cold, dry conditions with limited precipitation, often in the form of snow. This low rainfall is a result of the cold temperatures and low moisture content in the atmosphere.
How do people affect the tundra?
People can affect the tundra through activities like oil drilling, mining, tourism, and climate change. These activities can disrupt the delicate ecosystem of the tundra, leading to habitat loss, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Conservation efforts and sustainable practices are crucial to minimize the negative impacts on the tundra and its inhabitants.
Can tundra be called a cold desert?
Yes, tundra can be considered a cold desert because it shares some characteristics with deserts such as low precipitation and cold temperatures. However, tundra is characterized by a different type of vegetation and soil composition compared to typical hot deserts.
How do humans affect the arctic tundra?
Humans affect the arctic tundra through activities like oil and gas exploration, mining, and habitat destruction. Climate change, driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels, also has a significant impact on the arctic tundra by causing permafrost thaw, habitat loss, and disruptions to wildlife. Additionally, pollution from industrial activities and shipping can contaminate the delicate arctic ecosystem.
There is really no completely right answer to this question. Some people say there are only 5 major types of biomes: aquatic, desert, forest, grassland, and tundra. Others split biomes further. Forests are separated into rainforest, temperate forest, chaparral, and taiga; grasslands are divided into savanna and temperate grasslands; and the aquatic biome is split into freshwater and marine.
How does nutrient cycle in the arctic tundra?
In the arctic tundra, nutrients are cycled slowly due to cold temperatures and permafrost that limits decomposition. Organic matter accumulates in the soil as peat, which is slow to decompose. Nutrient cycling is primarily driven by microbial activity, with plants adapting to nutrient-poor conditions by forming symbiotic relationships with fungi to access nutrients.
What are the physical features of the tundra biome?
The tundra biome is characterized by low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen soil. Vegetation in the tundra is limited to low-growing plants like mosses, lichens, and shrubs adapted to survive in the cold and harsh conditions. The landscape is often flat or gently rolling, with sparse vegetation and little to no trees.
What kind of soil is there in Tundra?
Tundra soil is typically classified as permafrost, which consists of permanently frozen ground. The top layer, known as the active layer, thaws during summer, allowing some plant growth. The soil is usually poor in nutrients and organic matter, making it challenging for plants to establish deep root systems.
How much sunlight does the tundra biome get in a year?
The tundra biome receives varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. In summer, it can experience up to 24 hours of continuous daylight, known as the midnight sun, due to its high latitude. In contrast, during the winter months, there can be prolonged periods of darkness with little to no sunlight.
In Carson City how much snow fall per year?
The average annual snowfall varies about as much as it possibly can. In the extreme southern tip of the state in Vegas, snow is rare below 4000 feet (Vegas is at 2000-3000 feet and snow happens probably every other year in small amounts. In Laughlin, even less where snow is VERY VERY rare. Then as you head north and west, the annual snowfall increases but varies dramatically by elevation and (Nevada is a mountain-valley state). The mountain ranges in the central part of the state above 6000 feet get 30-70 inches per year, while the valleys between 4000 and 6000 feet get between 10 and 50 inches annually. Reno gets about 22 inches annually at its lowest part of the valley on the east side, but as much as 35-60 inches in the western foothills of the city. 2 miles could make a huge difference. The Nevada side of Lake Tahoe (not in the basin rain shadow of greater Nevada) gets about 85 inches annually on the beach at 6200 feet, but as much as 250 or more inches annually in places above 8000 feet like Mt. Rose.
So essentially some places get no snow at all, other parts of Nevada are among the snowiest in the entire country.
True. The Arctic region supports a diverse range of mosses, lichens, and small flowering plants, with over a hundred different species thriving in the harsh climate. These plants play a crucial role in the Arctic ecosystem, providing food and habitats for various wildlife species.
Victoria islands canada has a tundra climate what would best describe their summer temperatures?
In Victoria Island, Canada, which experiences a tundra climate, summer temperatures are relatively cool, with average highs ranging from 5-15°C (41-59°F). Despite the long daylight hours during summer, the Arctic location of the island prevents temperatures from rising significantly above freezing.
How do dead organisms maintain a healthy ecosystem?
Dead organisms decompose, providing essential nutrients to soil and plants. This decomposition process also supports microbial activity, which helps recycle nutrients through the ecosystem. Additionally, dead organisms serve as food for scavengers and predators, contributing to the overall biodiversity and balance of the ecosystem.
Can animals or plants survive in mercury?
No, animals or plants cannot survive in the extreme temperatures and toxic atmosphere of Mercury. The planet's surface experiences temperatures ranging from 430°C (800°F) during the day to -180°C (-290°F) at night, making it uninhabitable for any form of life.
What is the average precipitation a month for saltwater biome?
The average precipitation in a saltwater biome can vary depending on the specific location. However, many saltwater biomes, such as coastal regions, can experience moderate to high levels of precipitation, often ranging from 20 to 60 inches per year. This precipitation is essential for supporting the diverse marine life and ecosystems found in saltwater biomes.
How many types of birds live in a tundra ecosystem?
i can only think of one and that is the snowy owl
What is the smaller organism an larger organism called symbiotic relationship?
The smaller organism is referred to as the symbiont, while the larger organism is referred to as the host in a symbiotic relationship.
A biome with very cold temperatures and little rainfall is called an?
The biome with very cold temperatures and little rainfall is called a tundra. This ecosystem has a short growing season and is characterized by permafrost and low-growing vegetation such as mosses and lichens. Wildlife in the tundra includes animals like reindeer, arctic foxes, and polar bears.
Yes, Greenland does have permafrost, which is soil that remains frozen for two or more years. Permafrost covers a significant portion of Greenland's land area, primarily in the northern part of the island.
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship in which what happens between two organisms?
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit from each other. This can involve one organism providing resources or services that the other organism needs in exchange for benefits.
