We explain what the tundra is and what the flora and fauna of this biome are like. In addition, we explain its general characteristics, climate and more.
The tundra ground is usually covered in snow for much of the year.
What is tundra?
The tundra is a bioclimatic landscape that is characterized by having low temperatures and the ground covered with snow and ice almost all year roundThis type of landscape is found in regions close to the poles and in the highest areas of the planet, where altitude significantly reduces the temperature.
The tundra landscape can be found in some sectors of northern Canada and Greenland (North America), in some regions of Russia (Asia), in much of Antarctica, in the vicinity of the North Pole and on the high peaks of the highest mountain ranges on the planet.
The climate that prevails in this landscape is the polar tundra climate., which is characterized by having temperatures below zero for at least six months a year and short, cool summers. The top layer of tundra soil, known as permafrost, remains frozen most of the time.
Vegetation in the tundra is sparse and is mainly composed of mosses, lichens and small cold-resistant plants. The fauna is also adapted to the scarcity of resources and often includes mammals, such as reindeer, bears and foxes. There are also migratory birds, which use the tundra in the summer as a breeding area.
Extreme climate also conditions human life. For that reason, tundra regions They are usually practically unpopulated and the communities that live there are very small.
tundra climate
The average winter temperature in the tundra is 15 degrees below zero.
The tundra climate is called polar tundra, and is found in areas near the North and South Poles.There is also a subtype called polar alpine tundra, which is found on the peaks of the highest mountain ranges on the planet, such as the Himalayas and the Andes.
It is the coldest climate on Earth, with temperatures that do not exceed 10 °C in summer. In the winter months, average temperatures are -15°C. The maximum cold recorded historically was -89 °C at the Vostok station in Antarctica.
The tundra climate is also very little rainLow temperatures and low humidity in the environment mean that there is very little precipitation throughout the year. When it does occur, it almost always comes in the form of snow.
Polar day and night in the tundra
In the tundra, during the summer, the sun remains above the horizon or barely sets
Both in the Antarctic tundra and in the Arctic tundra the phenomenon of polar daywhich is characterized by the presence of sunlight 24 hours a day. This happens because, being at the extremes of the planet, the polar tundra regions always face the sun during the summer, despite the Earth’s rotation.
On the contrary, In areas near the poles, the sun remains hidden for months in the winter and the phenomenon called polar night. The absence of the sun is one of the factors that guarantees the freezing of the soil in the tundra, since temperatures during the continuous night are extremely low.
tundra soil
Soil freezing largely depends on air temperature.
In the tundra, the soil surface is frozen almost all year round.. This type of soil is called permafrost. The almost permanent presence of ice and snow conditions plant life, which can only develop in the summer months, when the thaw begins. Thus, the seasonal growth of plants is ephemeral, since when the cold months begin the ground freezes again.
The context of climate change and rising global temperatures poses a huge challenge for the polar regions in relation to the tundra soil. The melting of permafrost significantly affects animal and plant species adapted to growing and developing in this type of soil, and the loss of ice generates important changes in the natural dynamics and biodiversity of these regions.
Flora and fauna of the tundra
Up to four hundred different species of flowering plants can be found in the tundra.
The most numerous plants in the tundra are shrubs, mosses and lichens.Mosses are particularly adapted to this environment, as they are no more than 10 centimetres tall and can withstand strong winds. There are no trees in this ecosystem due to the low temperatures. However, up to four hundred different species of flowering plants can be found.
Besides, The animal species that live in the tundra have experienced various adaptations to the climatic conditions. Some of these are anatomical (for example, having a thick subcutaneous layer of fat to insulate against the cold, as in the case of white bears) and others are behavioral (for example, building tunnels in the ground or snow to protect themselves). , just like foxes do).
Types of tundra
The alpine tundra is located at high altitude and has low temperatures and strong winds.
There are three types of tundra in different geographical locations:
- Arctic tundra. It is located in the northern hemisphere. There, the freezing of the soil advances significantly towards the subsoil and the temperature can reach 50 degrees below zero in winter. During the summer, they are recipient ecosystems for migratory species.
- Antarctic tundraIt is located close to the South Pole, on the Antarctic continent and on nearby islands. Only in very limited areas is there plant life, except for lichens, mosses and algae, which are found both on land and in water. The only mammals that live there are penguins and seals.
- Alpine tundra. It is located at a high altitude, with low atmospheric pressure, very low temperatures and strong winds. Plants larger than shrubs do not grow there and the fauna is practically non-existent.
Environmental importance of tundra
The tundra plays an important role in global climate regulation due to the environmental services it provides:
- carbon capture. The tundra stores carbon in the form of frozen organic matter. Although permafrost acts as a carbon deposit, its progressive thawing – as a consequence of climate change – causes the release of large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which increases the proportion of greenhouse gases and contributes to the increase in global temperatures.
- Climate regulation. Reflection of sunlight by the bright surface of the tundra, especially during periods of snow, contributes to the regulation of the local climate by affecting the solar radiation that the Earth absorbs and reflects.
- Preservation of fresh water. The presence of permafrost and the limited drainage capacity of the soil in the tundra influence water retention, which contributes to the regulation of hydrological cycles, the formation of seasonal water bodies and the preservation of the planet’s fresh water.
Threats to the tundra
Tundra lichen is enormously sensitive to pollution.
Among the main threats to the tundra are:
- Climate change. Rising global temperatures affect the tundra because it accelerates the thawing of permafrost. This process releases greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, increasing the presence of these harmful gases in the atmosphere.
- Extraction of natural resources. The expansion of human activities, such as oil and gas extraction, mining and logging, compromises the ecological balance of the tundra and degrades the habitat of animal and plant species.
- Pollution. Pollution from distant sources has negative impacts on the tundra. Substances such as persistent organic pollutants, plastics and microplastics accumulate in its waters and affect the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems.
- Infrastructure development. The construction of infrastructure such as roads, gas and oil pipelines can fragment and disrupt tundra ecosystems. This can have effects on the migration of species and the development and reproduction of animals.
References
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