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

Hemocytometer, A device called a hemocytometer is often used to estimate th...

A device called a hemocytometer is often used to estimate the number of cells in a culture. Cells are suspended in fluid. A small volume of the fluid is placed into a special chamb

Explain about the calcium and hypertension, Explain about the Calcium and H...

Explain about the Calcium and Hypertension? Chronic inadequate intake of calcium may play some role in etiologies of hypertension. Calcium deficiency has been linked to hyperte

Explain elastic fibers would not wrinkle, As we age, our skin wrinkles due ...

As we age, our skin wrinkles due to change in collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis and a decrease in their production. Explain why topical application of collagen and elastic

Microbiology of air, Ask question #i need the complete table having the nam...

Ask question #i need the complete table having the names of the diseases their causative agents and their control,caused by air-borne pathogens?

Is gene a triplet of consecutive dna nucleotides, Is gene a triplet of cons...

Is gene a triplet of consecutive DNA nucleotides A gene isn't a triplet of DNA nucleotides with their respective nitrogen-containing bases, like CGT or AAG. The nucleotide trip

Explain about the qualitative tests for carbohydrates, Explain about the Qu...

Explain about the Qualitative Tests for Carbohydrates? This section will familiarize you with simple techniques and tests to identify carbohydrates in a laboratory. The objecti

Determine the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, Which of the following se...

Which of the following serves as an effector, or as part of an effector, that functions in a negative feedback system? A. Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors (mAChRs) in the SA

Explain what is cyanosis and polycythemia, Explain what is Cyanosis and pol...

Explain what is Cyanosis and polycythemia? Cyanosis and Polycythemia: Central cyanosis involving the mucous membranes and trunk along with the lips and extremities in absence

Explain the ecosystems, Explain the Ecosystems? The ecosystem is yet an...

Explain the Ecosystems? The ecosystem is yet another level, or ecological unit, studied by ecologists. An ecosystem encompasses all of the organisms (all the populations-the en

Explain with reference to aquatic ecosystem, That is eutrophication? Explai...

That is eutrophication? Explain with reference to aquatic ecosystem. or Name any two source organisms of agar. List any four areas in which agar has wide application.

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