Polar Climates
Dana Desonie, Ph.D.
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Printed: November 11, 2014
AUTHOR
Dana Desonie, Ph.D.
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C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Polar Climates
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Polar Climates
• Define permafrost and tundra.
• Describe the vegetation found in polar and alpine regions.
What types of animals live here?
The polar climate is harsh. Plants are small and low to the ground. What types of animals can live under these
conditions? In alpine areas, small mammals that seek protection in rocks are common. The marmot on the left is
an example. Large animals must be prepared to live exposed to frigid cold. Musk ox live in the farthest north parts
of North America and Greenland. Additionally, large animals like caribou can migrate to more hospitable places in
winter.
Polar Climates
Polar climates are found near the North and South Poles. They also occur on high mountains at lower latitudes. The
summers are very cool, and the winters are frigid. Precipitation is very low because it’s so cold. The growing season
is very short. Tundra prefers areas of permafrost. Permafrost is a lower layer of soil that is permanently frozen.
Tundra also refers to a treeless plain with small plants. You can see examples of polar climates pictured below.
Polar Tundra
The polar tundra climate ( Figure 1.1) occurs near the poles. Tundra climates have permafrost. Permafrost is layer
of ground below the surface that is always frozen, even in the summer. Only small plants, such as mosses, can grow
in this climate.
FIGURE 1.1
Polar tundra in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
Alpine Tundra
The alpine tundra climates ( Figure 1.2) occurs at high altitudes at any latitude. They are also called highland
climates. These regions are very cold because they are so far above sea level. The alpine tundra climate is very
similar to the polar tundra climate.
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FIGURE 1.2
Alpine Tundra in the Rockies, Colorado.
Ice Caps
Ice caps are areas covered with thick ice year round. Ice caps are found only in Greenland and Antarctica. Temperatures and precipitation are both very low. What little snow falls usually stays on the ground. It doesn’t melt because
it’s too cold.
Vocabulary
• permafrost: Permanently frozen soil.
• tundra: Land with permafrost in the soil; a treeless plain with small plants.
Summary
• Tundra is land with permafrost, no trees, and small hardy plants.
• Permafrost is land with permanently frozen soil.
• Tundra is found near the poles and up on high mountains.
Explore More
Use the resource below to answer the questions that follow.
• Assignment Discovery: The Tundra Biomes at http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/28112-assignme
nt-discovery-the-tundra-biomes-video.htm (2:05)
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/58903
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2.
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Where is the tundra zone found?
What are the characteristics of the climate?
What is permafrost?
How does the permafrost influence life in the tundra?
What animals live in the tundra year round?
What are two adaptations animals have to life in this zone?
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Chapter 1. Polar Climates
Review
1. What is permafrost? Where do you think it is found?
2. What is tundra? Why is tundra found at the polar regions and in the high mountains?
3. What are ice caps? How does the ice accumulate?
References
1. david adamec. Polar tundra in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Public Domain
2. John Holm. Alpine Tundra in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado. CC BY 2.0
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