TUNDRA Ecosystems

Description•Tundra is the coldest of all the

biomes.•The soil in the tundra is permanently

frozen. •There are low temperatures and low

rain fall.•Winds sweep across the land

constantly.•There are not many varieties of plant

life in the tundra,

PLANT AdaptationsPlants are often dark and

“hairy”. The darkness absorbs solar heat, and the hair helps to trap the heat and keep it close to the surface of the plant.

Some plants also grow in clumps in order to break harsh winds and protect each other from the cold.

Some plants even have dish-like flowers that track the sun. The dish allows more sun to be focused on the center of the flower.

PLANT Adaptations

Plants do not come alive until the summer when conditions are just right for growth.

There are no trees in the tundra. Trees are not adapted for the harsh conditions and soil.

Plants in the tundra are unable to grow deep roots.

Common animal Adaptations• The alpine and arctic tundras’

resident animals must adapt around the seasons and the availability of food. Many animals that cannot adapt to the arctic and alpine tundras’ extreme winter weather, migrate.

• A variety of birds make the arctic tundra their top choice for nesting spots and food during the spring and summer seasons. Millions of ducks, loons, gulls, geese and sandpipers migrate from the South just for this purpose.

•Many animals have short stocky bodies to keep their body heat

•Some animals change their coat or feather color to remain camouflaged.

•A number of tundra animals retain a very thick layer of body fat to keep them warm all year.

Tundra Food web example

•Herbivores:•Most herbivores in

the tundra are mammals that include Bison, caribou, reindeer, musk ox, arctic hare, lemmings

•Carnivores :• Mammals such as arctic

seals, wolves, and polar bears

• Birds such as ravens, snowy owls, falcons, loons, sandpipers, terns, snow birds, and various species of gulls

•Omnivores :• arctic foxes, ground

squirrels, grizzly bears•Decomposers:• Mosses, lichen, and

fungi