Tundra Biome Plant Life Very few plant species

Tundra Biome

Plant Life • • • Very few plant species Cold temperature survival is necessary Plants strive on heat absorption Dark leaved plants retain heat better Some plants include: lichens, mosses, and shrubs

Animal Life • Survival through extremely cold temperatures • Go long periods without food • Camouflage and stealth is key • Fur insulates and heats animals • Animals include: Arctic Fox, Snowy Owl, and Polar Bears

Abiotic Factors • • • No true soil is present Winds and heavy snows dominate Almost no precipitation each year Freezing temperatures almost year round Water is only found in lakes

Tundra Range • Tundra is found in Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Europe, Russia, and Antarctica • It stretches from east to west • Tundra is 20% of the earth’s land • Green indicates tundra land area • Mostly located in the north

Human Impact • • • Global warming is melting the tundra Oil spills affect tundra ecosystems Human development destroys wildlife Minor pollution kills native animals Minor hunting affects population

Tundra Climate • • • Very short growing season Extremely cold, 6 -10 month winters About 5 inches of precipitation per year Short but still cold summers Great amounts of snow and persistent winds

Interesting Facts • • Tundra comes from the word tunturia Tunturia means treeless plain Frozen soil is called permafrost All tundra landforms are made of permafrost • The sun shines all day in summer

Interesting Facts Continued • Dwarf Willow- the only tree that grows in the tundra • The two kinds of tundra are alpine and arctic • Permafrost can go down 2000 feet • Some winds reach 100 m. p. h • Temperature can reach – 30 degrees Celsius