The Arctic
Tundra
By: Natalie Jiménez
Period1
9/10/2011
AP Environmental Biome Project
Mrs. Yeutter
Temperature
► Highs:
are always reached during the summer. It
ranges from 37 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For
the most part, however, the temperature is
usually under 50 degrees.
► Lows: are always reached in the winter time.
The average is -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
The northernmost areas of the tundra, have
been known to reach temperatures as low as -90
degrees Fahrenheit.
► Average: 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit
Precipitation
► Precipitation
is desert-like because it
receives little rain.
► Average: about 6-10 inches (15-25
centimeters) of rain AND snow per year.
► Most of the rain is received during the
summer months.
 The growing season is all through the summer,
which only last about 50-60 days.
The tundra is located…..
► At
55 to 70 north degrees latitude.
► Mostly in the Arctic circle.
Another Map
Where is the tundra found?
► Covers
about 20% of the Earth’s land surface
 North America (Alaska, Canada, Iceland, and other
northern countries), Russia, and parts of Northern
Europe.
► Located
mainly in the Northern Hemisphere,
though there are a few tundra-like landscapes in
the South Pole
► For the most part, the tundra is a flat, expanse of
land yet there are a few mountain ranges.
The tundra on the world map
Soil Conditions….
• Are not ideal
– soil is low in nutrients and minerals, except in
the rare areas where animal droppings are
abundant.
• The tundra’s topsoil, called permafrost, is
made up of permanently frozen soil, fine
gravel, and dead plant material.
– it can extend 450 meters (1478 feet) below
the surface
Soil Conditions (cont’d)
• Northern areas of the tundra remain frozen
year.
– but some of the southern region’s permafrost
melts a little during the summertime.
• creates bogs that teem with life because of the
warmer conditions and melted ice
Climate
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Prevailing weather conditions of the
tundra consist of COLD temperatures and
bitter winds that can reach up to 40 mph.
Winter time brings total darkness for days
at a time, the sun rarely shines
During this season, temperatures can reach
-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Climate (cont’d)
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Summer in the tundra is only about 6-9
weeks long.
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temperatures can reach 45 degrees
Fahrenheit
sun rarely sets; it is shining for 24 hours a day
during the summertime
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This phenomenon caused the tundra to be called
“land of the midnight sun”
Types of plants and special
adaptations
► Characteristics:
► The
tundra has the
lowest biodiversity of
all the biomes
 only has about 1700
different types of plants
 root systems of the
tundra plants aren’t
very deep; they are
shallow and extensive
to maximize the
absorption of the little
water it receives.
Plants (cont’d)
 must be adapted to
 must be accustomed to
high wind speeds, or
the short growing
else they will be
seasons, low light
pulled up
intensity, and freezing
temperatures.
►tundra plants have
are short height
► Types of plants
and they are often
 mosses, lichens,
grouped together,
grasses, and shrubs, all
or grow into mats
of which are adapted to
to help stand
the environment
against the wind
The types of animals their physical/
behavioral adaptations
► The
tundra has the
lowest biodiversity of
all the biomes
 Only has about 48
different species of land
animals
► Behavioral
Adaptations
 many animals must quickly
breed raise their offspring
in the summer to take
advantage of the warmer
temperatures and
increased food supply
Animals (cont’d)
► Physical
Adaptations
 Animals have are thick
fur or extra fat for
better heat
retention/absorption
 Others hibernate in
the winter because of
the lack of food
 Some animals (like
birds and caribou)
migrate to other
regions to escape the
cold winter
temperatures.
Endangered Plant Species
► The
tundra has a relatively short list of
endangered or threatened species due to
little human impact (possibly from the
extreme temperature) and geographic
isolation.
 Some include the Aleutian Shield Fern, the
Aleutian Wormwood, the Sessile-Leaved ScurvyGrass, and the Bering Sea Douglasia
Endangered Plant Species (cont’d)
► Aleutian
Shield Fern
 only plant species that
is considered to be
critically endangered
 no clear reasons for its
increasing rate of
disappearance
►so it is believed
that its rarity is due
to natural processes
 Potential threats
►overgrazing and
trampling
Endangered Plant Species (cont’d)
►Bering
Sea Douglasia
 It is also uncertain why the plant species
is on the decline.
though it seems that biological factors are
also to blame
►couldn’t find any pictures of it
►
Endangered Animal
Species
► Arctic
Fox populations are relatively safe in North
America,but there is a species of Russian Arctic
Fox that is dwindling.
► Potential reasons for population decline
 infestation of mange, a parasite spread by nearby
domesticated dogs.
 global warming that is increasing the average
temperature of the tundra.
►increase in temperature is making the area more
hospitable for the red fox, a bigger species that is
invading the Russian Arctic Fox
Endangered Animal Species (cont’d)
►A
second endangered
species are the
caribou.
► Their
habitats and
migratory routes
are being destroyed
by road building, oil
pipelines, mining,
and loss of food
sources.
Interesting Facts
The origin of the word “tundra” comes
from the Finnish word “tunturia”
which means “barren land ” or
“treeless plain”
The sweeping, bitter winds of the
tundra are being harnessed for wind
power.
Interesting Fact (cont’d)
The sweeping, bitter winds of the tundra
are being harnessed for wind power.
The small coastal town of Kotzebue is the first
Alaskan town to use arctic wind power.
The wind powers about 200 homes, 6% of the
population
It is designed to withstand the strong winds and
extreme temperatures.
Its success in lowering emissions and electric
bill costs have motivated the community to
extend its use.
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Webites used:
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Bibliography
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/tundra.ht
ml
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitat
s/tundra-threats.html
http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/tundra4/tundra4c.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_climate_page.htm
http://www.aidea.org/aea/Reports%20and%20Presentations/Wi
nd-Turbine-Provides_Electricity-for-Arctic-Town_CADDETKotzebue-Article.pdf
http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/index1.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_7497509_endangered-plantstundra.html
http://www.animalport.com/endangered-animals/tundra.html