Tundra Biome
by: Kristina Pesce &Olivia Stephens
There are two different types of Tundra Biomes:
The Arctic/Polar Tundra:
Found near the north and
south polar regions.
The Alpine Tundra:
Found on mountainsides
and high-elevation
plateaus
Both types of tundra are
not restricted to any
specific region or zone
Specific Traits of the Polar Tundra
• Found in the Northern Hemisphere
• Makes up 5.5% of the earth’s total surface
• Lies north of 70 degrees North latitude – some
tundra is found on islands as far north as 55 degrees
South
• Is very dry and gets up to 4-20 inches of
precipitation each year, but mostly in the from of
snow. Much of it is compared to a desert because it
gets less than 10 inches of rain a year.
Specific Traits of the Alpine Tundra
• Absolutely no trees can grow here because of the
elevation being so high.
• The growing season is only about 180 days
• Is usually found at an altitude of 10,000 feet or
higher.
• Some tundra can even be found near the equator if
the mountains are high enough
• There are only warm blooded animals in the alpine
tundra
Tundra Climate
The Tundra has freezing winter temperatures
and cool, short summers. In terms of
precipitation, drought-like conditions are the
usual. There is a layer of frozen soil called
permafrost which is frozen all year round.
Summer temperatures remain below 10
degrees Celsius and in the winter
temperatures can drop below -56 degrees
Celsius.
General Latitude
The tundra stretches between the latitude
known as the tree line, which is the farthest
extent to which trees can grow, and the
latitude where snow and ice cover becomes
permanent, preventing plant growth.
Flora
The Polar tundra is characterized by low shrubs,
sedges, reindeer mosses, liverworts, grasses,
lichen, arctic willow, and caribou moss.
The Alpine tundra is characterized by tussock
grasses, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs, and
heaths.
Fauna
• The fauna in the Polar Tundra consists of
lemmings, voles, caribou, arctic hares,
squirrels, arctic foxes, wolves, polar bears,
ravens, caribou, snow buntings, falcons,
loons, sandpipers, tems, snow birds, and
various species of gulls, mosquitoes, flies,
moths, grasshoppers, black flies, and arctic
bumble bees, cod, flatfish, salmon, and trout.
Fauna
• The fauna in the Alpine Tundra consists of
pikas, marmots, mountain goats, sheep, elk,
grouse like birds, springtails, beetles,
grasshoppers, and butterflies.
Main Species
Caribou
Caribou Moss
Lichen
Main Species
Arctic Hare
Arctic Fox
Flora Adaptations
• Adapted their life cycles to be completed in a single summer
season.
• Some grow very low to the ground to protect from frost damage.
• Some grow horizontally and send up many branches to keep away
from drying winds and still absorb as much sunlight as possible.
• They group together to resist cold temperatures and be protected
form the snow.
• Many of them develop thick, leathery or waxy leaves that prevent
moisture loss.
• Some grow hairs along the stems, leaves, and flowers to hold heat
and protect against the wind.
Fauna Adaptations
• The most common adaption is a thick layer of fur or feathers to
hold the heat close to their bodies.
• Some of the animals fur turns white during the winter to hide in
the snow and protect them from predators.
• Many large animals have compact body shapes that help them
retain more heat than if their bodies were long and thin.
• Many animals avoid the cold by migrating and some animals build
up a layer of fat over the summer, which provide energy and food
while also keeping them warm during the harsh winters.
• Some may burrow into the snow to avoid harsh, frigid
tempertures and winds.
Map of Tundra Distribution
Arctic/Polar Tundra
Map
Alpine Tundra
Map
Food Web
Climotograph
Bibliography
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_animal_p
age.htm
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_pa
ge.htm
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine.htm
• http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tun
dra.php