We are the Artic Explorers Here to
introduce you to the Artic Tundra
By Kelly Rachel and Nika
Although Tundras are among the coldest
harshest biomes, the snow covered land
blossoms in the summer to produce bursts of
wildflowers
Landscape
The arctic tundra has cold desert like conditions,
which makes the biome have very little biodiversity.
The vegetation that lives there is short with short
root systems.
There is a permafrost layer of soil that is
permanently frozen which inhibits long root systems.
- The main nutrients are nitrogen and phosphorus
During the winter the average temperature is
-34 degrees Celsius!
But during the summer which is a 50-60 day
period of time, it warms up to 3-12 degrees
Celsius!
The best time to visit the arctic tundra to view
the wildlife and wildflowers would be during the
summer months in June, July and August.
This is when all the wildflowers are blossoming
and the animals are active and out of
hibernation.
But if you are going to the tundra for
related activities, then April and October
would be the best months.
Did you know that the word “tundra” means
treeless plain
The tundra is a great place if you love to go
skating, skiing, sledding or play ice hockey!
There are polar bears!!
Disclaimer: The artic tundra is the second
most deadly environment in the world
Characteristics of the wildlife
There are about 1,700 plants/shrubs, 400
wildflowers, many mosses and lichens and there
are no trees. The plants have to be short to be
protected from the wind but with shallow roots.
There are large population oscillations of
animals due to the constant emigration and
immigration.
In the summer the layer above the permafrost
becomes saturated with water and there is a
beautiful burst of around 400 colorful
wildflowers on the landscape because the sun is
shining 24 hours a day
There are many cool and unique animals in
the biome such as polar bears, artic foxes,
snow owls, caribou, musk ox, penguins and
many more.
• The shrubs in the tundra have adapted to be
short and grouped together to protect
themselves form the strong winds. They also
have adapted by having short root systems
because of the permafrost layer.
• The artic fox has adapted by having white fur
in the winter months for camouflage and
grayish fur during the summer. It also has
short legs, ears and muzzle to conserve heat.
Global warming is posing as a huge threat to
the artic tundra. Many scientists believe that
global warming caused by green house gases
may eliminate the artic tundra region forever.
This is because the warmer temperatures will
cause the snow to melt and drastically change
the tundra.
Save the polar bears!
Sources
– http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/bi
ome/tundra.html
– http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_animal
_page.htm
– http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/envir
onment/habitats/tundra-threats/