Location & Climate
This biome is in the northern upper hemisphere below the polar seas. The precipitation tends to be quite low throughout the year, around 25cm or under. Summer tends to be only a little warm, and gets up to about 12 degrees Celsius on average. On the other hand, winter can get very cold, and almost as low as -30 degrees Celsius.
Physical Features
The Tundra has a layer of permafrost year-round. Permafrost is another word for frozen soil, the ground is very flat which means that the Tundra has poor drainage. In the summer there is quite a bit of little pools that have been created by the melting of topsoil after it has thawed out. It's very cold and dark throughout the year, but during the short summers there is 24 hours of daylight.
Plants & Adaptations
The Tundra has no trees at all, because the growing season up in the North is way too short and the roots can't handle all the permafrost. Plants that grow in the Tundra Biome tend to be mosses, shrubs, and short grasses. All these plants grow really close to the ground and absorb all the warmth that the dark soil provides, and being this short helps them avoid the fierce winds.
Arctic Crocus
The arctic crocus has fuzz all over them, and this protects them from the harsh winds that occur in the Tundra. The fuzz is located on their stems, buds, and leaves. As well as the furry coverings, the arctic crocus tends to grow close together to stay warmer. Their short roots help conserve energy, and are too short to touch the permafrost.
The arctic crocus has fuzz all over them, and this protects them from the harsh winds that occur in the Tundra. The fuzz is located on their stems, buds, and leaves. As well as the furry coverings, the arctic crocus tends to grow close together to stay warmer. Their short roots help conserve energy, and are too short to touch the permafrost.
Labrador Tea Bush
The flowers in the Tundra tend to shed their leaves, but the Labrador tea bush keeps its old leaves to keep all of its nutrients. Keeping their old leaves helps the plant avoid the harsh winds, and cold from the Tundra, as well as drying out.
The flowers in the Tundra tend to shed their leaves, but the Labrador tea bush keeps its old leaves to keep all of its nutrients. Keeping their old leaves helps the plant avoid the harsh winds, and cold from the Tundra, as well as drying out.
Animals & Adaptations
Many animals in the Tundra have short legs, and ears to help prevent dramatic heat loss. Animals tend to grow slower and reproduce less frequently therefore they require way less energy. It is very important for the animals in the Tundra to stay warm and close to the ground as well, the ground provides heat, and if they are shorter the animals can avoid harsh winds easier.
Arctic Hare
Some animals hibernate, or migrate during winter. The arctic hare does not hibernate, nor does it migrate. Their thick fur provides and low surface area helps conserve body heat. Often times the arctic hare will dig a hole into the snow, and huddle with others to help keep warm. Their white fur in the winter helps them camouflage from other species, and in the spring their fur changes to a blue-gray tone to help camouflage against rocks, soil, and vegetation.
Some animals hibernate, or migrate during winter. The arctic hare does not hibernate, nor does it migrate. Their thick fur provides and low surface area helps conserve body heat. Often times the arctic hare will dig a hole into the snow, and huddle with others to help keep warm. Their white fur in the winter helps them camouflage from other species, and in the spring their fur changes to a blue-gray tone to help camouflage against rocks, soil, and vegetation.
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is a predator, it's white feathers help it camouflage against the snow while sneaking up on prey. This type of owl is very patient when it comes down to waiting for it's prey. Snow owls can even find prey that is underneath the vegetation or snow because of their magnificent hearing, and eyesight. The owl has very sharp talons which help them snatch up their prey.
The snowy owl is a predator, it's white feathers help it camouflage against the snow while sneaking up on prey. This type of owl is very patient when it comes down to waiting for it's prey. Snow owls can even find prey that is underneath the vegetation or snow because of their magnificent hearing, and eyesight. The owl has very sharp talons which help them snatch up their prey.
Caribou
During the winter the Caribou migrate closer towards food sources. The females head south before the males, because the males follow them with the calves from the previous mating season. Their hooves help keep them up on the snow, and paddle through water easier.
During the winter the Caribou migrate closer towards food sources. The females head south before the males, because the males follow them with the calves from the previous mating season. Their hooves help keep them up on the snow, and paddle through water easier.