TUNDRA ECOSYSTEM

Index
Introduction
Types
Location
Climate
Soil
Animals
Plants
Birds
Insects
Mammals
Human life
Conclusion
Sea food chain
 TYPES OF TUNDRA

ARCTIC ALPINE Antarctic

 Intoduction

In physical geography, tundra is a type of biome where the

tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short
growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russia
from the Kildin Sami word tndr "uplands", "treeless
mountain tract. In tundra, the vegetationis composed of
dwarf shrubs, sedges and grasses, mosses, and lichens.
Scattered trees grow in some tundra regions. The ecotone
(or ecological boundary region) between the tundra and
the forest is known as the tree line or timberline
 Global distribution of arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems

The global extent of the tundra biome is considerable, accounting for roughly
10 percent of Earths surface.
 Climate

In the Arctic regions, where temperatures fluctuate from 4 C to 32 C

during the winter months.
Alpine tundra has a more moderate climate
Summers are cool, with temperatures that range from 3 to 12 C
Winters are moderate, with temperatures that rarely fall below 18 C
Growing season only 1-2.5 months
Low mean annual temperature
Low arctic sites in southern Greenland may have MAT ~0C
High arctic sites like Barrow, AK, have MAT 10 to 20C
Low intensity radiation but long days in arctic
Strong UV radiation in alpine
Polar high pressure system reduces uplift of moist air masses
Most precipitation occurs in summer because polar high is weaker and
moves further north, allowing moist storms to penetrate north of boreal
forests
 SOIL
Soils are poorly developed, both because they are young and weathering occurs very
slowly in cold, dry climate
40% of Canada has permafrost; 20% of Earth
active layer is thaw zone, 20-300 cm deep; deeper further south, shallower in
north
impermeability below active layer creates boggy conditions
Permafrost uncommon in alpine tundra
Soli fluction, frost heaving, patterned ground can occur in both arctic and alpine
areas, but frost wedges are likely relicts from last glacial period
During the winter, water in the soil can freeze into a lens of ice that causes the
ground above it to form into a hilly structure called a Pingo.
 Frost boil

Dry tundra: freely drained vs.

Wet tundra: impeded drainage

Ice polygons

Evidence of cryoturbation
 ANIMALS
Few alpine animals, however, contributed directly to the evolution of Arctic tundra species,
because physical barriers prevented the migration of species and because alpine and Arctic
animals were specialized to their particular environments. However, alpine plants and some
animals migrated east and west through mountain ranges to Europe and North America.
Lowland tundra animals appear to have evolved in central Eurasia when tundra replaced the
cold temperate steppe. These animals migrated west to Europe about one million years ago,
during the middle of the Pleistocene Epoch, and later migrated east to North America across
the Bering Land Bridge. Such animals include the polar bear , Arctic fox , Arctic wolf , Arctic
hare , Arctic weasel , snowy owl , several species of lemming and ptarmigan , and a number
of species of waterfowl.

Musk Ox Reindeer Moose

Snowshoe Hare

lemming Arctic Wolf

Polar bear

Arctic fox
 PLANTS
The vegetation of many alpine tundras and over most of the Arctic tundra tends to
be greenish brown in colour. While plants do not remain in flower for more than a
few days or weeks in these environments, the blossoms are generally large in
relation to the size of the plant and are rather colourful, especially in alpine
habitats.
The foggy tundras found along coastal areas produce matted and grassy
landscapes.
Algae and fungi are found along rocky cliffs, and rosette plants grow in rock
cornices and shallow gravel beds.
In the drier inland tundras, spongy turf and lichen heaths develop.
 BIRDS
Arctic Tern

Most tundra birds are migratory, staying long enough to nest and molt.
One exception is the ptarmigan, which feeds upon willow buds upon
leaves, buds, and flowers in summer.
Ptarmigan have heavily feathered feet, which provide some insulation
against the winter snow and ice.
Several migratory birds feed upon seeds and fruits until insects and
spiders emerge and become available in summer.
Snow geese often denude areas of cotton grass, leaving behind mostly
mosses, which increases the flux of solar energy into soils.
Important birds of prey are the jaegers, which are summer visitors, and
the snowy owls, which are year-round residents, though the latter move
southward into the forest in winters when food supply is scarce.

Arctic Tern
Puffin
Snowy Owl Bald Eagle