Arctic tundra, Biology

Assignment Help:

The northern most biome on our planet is the arctic tundra. It is a treeless wet circumpolar band between the polar ice caps and the forests to the south. The predominant plants are lichens, grasses, sedges and dwarf woody plants. Despite the lack of trees, animals are found on land, in air and nearby oceans. Similar communities are found at high mountains of all latitudes forming the alpine tundra. The climate is very cold with a short growing season. The soil is frozen for most part of the year and only the top 0.5 meter melts during the short summers in the arctic tundra. The permanently frozen soil below is known as permafrost. In summer you might see huge herds of caribou, flocks of waterfowls and huge swarms of mosquitoes! With such a harsh climate it is not surprising that only a few kinds of plant and animal species are found here though, in the short growing season moss, lichens, some grasses and fast growing plants dominate the landscapes. Swarms of migratory birds invade the tundra in summer to raise their young and fly south as the summers come to an end. Some of the common permanent residents are musk ox, polar bear, grizzly bear, wolves, snowy owl, arctic hare, weasels, minks, etc. Tundra is a very fragile ecosystem as the rate of organic matter decomposition is very slow. On account of harsh climate plants grow very slowly and the tundra tak es a long time to recover from any disruptions.


Related Discussions:- Arctic tundra

Nucellus - ovule, Nucellus - Ovule Enclosed within the integuments li...

Nucellus - Ovule Enclosed within the integuments lies a homogenous mass of tissue which is termed as the nucellus. This is the tissue in which the female gametophyte differen

Nervous system - cranial nerves, CRANIAL NERVES 12 pairs. Total weig...

CRANIAL NERVES 12 pairs. Total weight 12 gms. Upto amphibian 10 pairs cranial nerves are present. 1, 2, 8, - sensory. 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, motor. 5, 7, 9, 10 - mixed. 3

Define about the food production, Define about the Food Production? We ...

Define about the Food Production? We know that agriculture comprises the major source of food production. This is very true in a country like ours where the majority of the pop

Define simple, Define Simple, Compound, Derived Lipids? Simple lipids ...

Define Simple, Compound, Derived Lipids? Simple lipids are fatty acid esters of glycerol, called triacyglycerols or triglycerides (for e.g. fats and oils) or higher alcohols (

Virus, what is virus ?? what is classidication , uses , disease of viruses...

what is virus ?? what is classidication , uses , disease of viruses ? what are types of virus ?

Sucrose is non sugar but maltose and lactose are not. why?, Sucrose is a no...

Sucrose is a non-reducing Sugar while Maltose and Lactose are reducing due to the presence of free Aldehydic Functional Group in them. In SUgar the Aldehydic Group of both Glucose

Pollination, Pollination Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen...

Pollination Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen from dehiscing anthers to the pistil. Unlike animals, plants cannot move to their mates for sexual reproduction. Henc

What are other important human diseases caused by protozoans, What are othe...

What are other important human diseases caused by protozoans? Some other significant protozoan infections are amebiasis, trichomoniasis, giardiasis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosi

What is the destination of the notochord, Q. What is the destination of the...

Q. What is the destination of the notochord in protochordates and in vertebrates? In vertebrates the notochord disappears and gives birth to the spinal column known as vertebra

Difference between parental gametes and recombinant gametes, In genetic rec...

In genetic recombination by crossing over what is the difference between parental gametes and recombinant gametes? The Parental gametes are those gametes that maintain the orig

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd