The Tundra

The Tundra

• Arctic Tundra- youngest biome.
• Cold in Winter; Dark in Summer
• World Driest/Coldest Biome
• Tundra is covered with marshes, lakes, bogs and streams.
• Windy Place (30-60 mph)
• Mostly Snowfall (100 inches in some places)

The Tundra (cont)

• Has short growing season.
• One of Earths 3 major Carbon Dioxide sink. (takes in more CO2 then it releases)
• Fragile Environment
• Cold temperate makes it hard for the environment to adapt.
• Many people set up towns if they are working in mines or oil rigs.

Climate

• Tundras are one of the earth's coldest and harshest biomes.
• Treeless
• Cold, Windy
• Hardly no rain
• Snow covering the ground

Average Precipitation

Average Temperature

Floras

Artic Moss

• Genus: Calliergon
• Species: giganteum
• Aquatic plant found growing in arctic sea beds.
• When it is not growing, it stores nutrients so new leaves can be made quickly next spring

Arctic Willow

• Genus: Salix
• Species: arctica
• Found in the North America Tundra.
• They grow prostrate, shrub, and carpet.
• The leaves are oval shaped with pointed tips, wedge shaped bottoms, and have little stalks.

Bearberry

• Genus: Arctostaphylos
• Species: uva-ursi
• Low Growing evergreen
• Thick Bark, Fine Silky Hairs
• The flowers have 5 petals and are pink.
• Found in dry, non-nutrient soils.
• Very USEFUL plant. All parts of the plant can be used for something.

Caribou Moss

• Genus: Cladonia
• Species: rangiferina
• Grows on ground and on rocks.
• Looks like a foamy, gray- green spongy mass.
• Made up of fungi and algae.

Diamond-leaf willows

• Genus: Salix
• Species: pulcha
• The twigs are sort, slender, and bend easily.
• Some leaves have serrated edges.
• Grows a few inches tall and creeps on the ground.

Founas

Artic Fox

• Genus: Lagopus
• Species: alopex
• Makes its home in small burrows, in low mounds, or in rock piles.
• Scavenger: Finds its own food.
• About 10-16 Inches Long
• Weighs About 6-12 pounds
• Lives about 15 years.

Caribou

• Genus: Rangifer
• Species: tarandus
• Sturdy animal with short legs.
• Brown Fur: Darker in Winter and Lighter in the Summer.
• Large, Spreading hooves supports in the snow.

Musk Ox

• Genus: Ovibos
• Species: moschatus
• It can live in the harsh condition by its thick coat.
• It can way 396-880 pounds.
• It gets its name from the odor produced by glands beneath the bull's eyes.
• They get really defensive when they feel threatened .

Snowy Owl

• Genus: Nyctea
• Species: scandiaca
• Considered the largest and most attractive of the owls.
• It is called the Snowy Owl because of its white feathers.
• Weighs 4-6 pounds. 21-26 Inches Length
• The male uses echo calls to attract mates.
• Shy and hard to get close to.

Polar Bear

• Genus: Ursus
• Species: maritimus
• Largest carnivore on earth.
• 2 layers of fur. Fur is clear not white.
• Females lighter then males. Highest weight is 990 pounds.
• Really good sense of smell.
• Endangered

Sources

• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm
• http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/tundra.html
• http://www.tundraanimals.net