The Tundra is underneath the ice-covered polar seas, it covers the upper northern hemisphere between 60-70 degrees north latitude. Some places where the tundra biome is, includes, Nunavut
General Tundra
Animals and their Adaptations
Artic foxes and hares have short legs, ears and compact bodies so their body doesn't lose much heat. Also animals who live in the tundra, like the Greenland sulfur butterfly, tend to be to grow slower than in other biomes and reproduce less. This adaptation allows animals to obtain energy better.
Just like in other biomes animals migrate during the summers their and during the winters away. Also, animals like the snowy owl use their white feathers to camouflage into the tundra snow in the winter.
Plants and their adaptations
The growing season in the tundra is extremely short so trees do not grow here. Their roots do not penetrate the ground. So instead short plants grow near the ground to obtain all the heat the soil gives off. That's why moss, lichen and short grass live on the tundra's ground. Also some plants even have "fuzz" on their stems, leaves, etc. to protect them again the harsh winds, like arctic crocus.
The Tundra
- Upper Northern Hemisphere - Land is Permafrost (Permanently frosted soil)
- Precipitation here is less than 25 cm annually - Summer Temperatures range from 3 C to 12 C - Winter Temperatures range from 20 C to -30 C
There are 3 types of tundra, Antarctic, Alpine, and Arctic Tundra.
Antarctic Tundra
As you may expect, the Antarctic Tundra can be found in Antarctica and some of its subantarctic islands such as Kerguelen Islands. Almost all of the Antarctic tundra is covered by ice fields or snow. However, in places that can support vegetation like the Antarctic Peninsula, about 25 liverworts, 350 lichens, 100 mosses, and about 700 aquatic and terrestrial algae species grow. Also two known flower species that live there are the Antarctic pearlwort and Antarctic hair grass.
Unlike the Arctic tundra the Antarctic tundra lacks in mammal species because of how far away it is from other continents. Although, there is a few mammals and birds like penguins, seals, rabbits, wandering albatross, Antarctic Skua, etc.
Alpine Tundra
Watch this video which explains why high elevated places become Alpine tundra. Also learn just some basic facts and ways we can help our Alpine tundra.
Arctic Tundra
Watch this video to learn about the climate, animals, plants, human threats and plenty of cool facts about the Artic Tundra.