The TundraThe Tundra

Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra comes from the Finnish word comes from the Finnish word tunturitunturi, meaning , meaning

treeless plain.treeless plain. • Characteristics of tundra include: Characteristics of tundra include:

• Extremely cold climate Extremely cold climate

• Low biotic diversity Low biotic diversity

• Simple vegetation structure Simple vegetation structure

• Short season of growth and reproduction Short season of growth and reproduction

• Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic materiamateria

• Large population oscillationsLarge population oscillations

Arctic tundraArctic tundra

• Arctic tundra is located in the northern Arctic tundra is located in the northern hemisphere, encircling the north pole and hemisphere, encircling the north pole and extending south to the coniferous forests of the extending south to the coniferous forests of the taiga. The arctic is known for its cold, desert-like taiga. The arctic is known for its cold, desert-like

conditionsconditions • The growing season ranges from 50 to 60 days. The growing season ranges from 50 to 60 days.

The average winter temperature is -34° C (-30° F), The average winter temperature is -34° C (-30° F), but the average summer temperature is 3-12° C but the average summer temperature is 3-12° C

(37-54° F) which enables this biome to sustain life(37-54° F) which enables this biome to sustain life

•

Plant life on the tundraPlant life on the tundra

• Alpine tundra is located on mountains throughout Alpine tundra is located on mountains throughout the world at high altitude where trees cannot the world at high altitude where trees cannot grow. The growing season is approximately 180 grow. The growing season is approximately 180 days. The nighttime temperature is usually below days. The nighttime temperature is usually below

freezingfreezing • tussock grasses, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs, tussock grasses, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs,

and heathsand heaths • Plant life in the tundra is few, and the growth is Plant life in the tundra is few, and the growth is

lowlow

Plants! Plants!

• The The TundraTundra has a lot of has a lot of plant lifeplant life within this within this biome. Some common plants include the biome. Some common plants include the bearberry, arctic moss, Caribou moss, Diamond bearberry, arctic moss, Caribou moss, Diamond

leaf willow, Labrador Tealeaf willow, Labrador Tea

Animal life in the TundraAnimal life in the Tundra

• The Arctic Tundra is full of life!!! The Arctic Tundra is full of life!!!

• There are caribou, reindeer, birds, foxes, wolves, There are caribou, reindeer, birds, foxes, wolves, grizzly bears, polar bears, arctic hare, bison and grizzly bears, polar bears, arctic hare, bison and much more! The owl, ptarmigan, geese and terns much more! The owl, ptarmigan, geese and terns all migrate to the Arctic in the spring to nest. all migrate to the Arctic in the spring to nest. Herds of reindeer and caribou move south to Herds of reindeer and caribou move south to migrate in the winter. There are also whales in migrate in the winter. There are also whales in

the Arcticthe Arctic

Animals in the Tundra! Animals in the Tundra!

The frigid cold and deep snow makes life in the tundra very difficult polar bear - caribou - musk ox - wolf - wolverine arctic fox - ermine - lemming - arctic hare arctic ground squirrel - birds - whales - harp seal - walrus

TundraTundra

• By Dayna BossardBy Dayna Bossard

• For Biology 112 For Biology 112

• www.nationalgeographic.comwww.nationalgeographic.com