Location
There are two types of tundras:
Arctic tundras are found north of the Arctic Circle. This includes areas such as: Canada and Alaska, Siberia, Greenland, and northern Europe.
Alpine tundras are located at the top of tall mountains above the tree line, or timberline, which is any natural division above or beyond which trees do not grow, as on mountains or in polar regions. Polar means near the North or South Pole.
There are two types of tundras:
Arctic tundras are found north of the Arctic Circle. This includes areas such as: Canada and Alaska, Siberia, Greenland, and northern Europe.
Alpine tundras are located at the top of tall mountains above the tree line, or timberline, which is any natural division above or beyond which trees do not grow, as on mountains or in polar regions. Polar means near the North or South Pole.
Plants
A good example of a dwarf Tundra plant is the Arctic Willow, which thrives close to the ground by developing shallow roots. It is also known as the tongue plant. These plants are also known as cushion plants, attributing to their growth in low tight clumps, that resemble a cushion. Their formation explains the trapping of warm air within them, to protect them from cold air. One example of this cushion plant is Purple saxifrage. It is conspicuous with its purplish star shaped flowers that bloom during the melting of snow. The stem of this plant is covered with tiny leaves which are equipped with tiny hair that capture heat for the plant. |
Animals
Animals that live in the tundra have special adaptations that allow them to survive the extreme temperatures and conditions that are present in a tundra. A good example of an animal with special adaptations is the Arctic Fox. The Arctic Fox has short ears and a short, round body with a thick coat to minimize the amount of skin exposed to the frigid air. There is a low amount of biodiversity in the tundra so fluctuations in one animal population will effect populations in another. An example of this would be that if in a certain year there is a lower amount of Lemmings than usual, then the population of Snowy Owls, who feed mostly on Lemmings, will also decrease. |