Only around 1, species of vascular plants grow in this region. The diversity of fauna is also low. Only 48 species of terrestrial mammals like reindeer, Arctic fox, musk ox, Arctic hare, etc. Polar bears can be seen near the coastlines. A variety of migratory birds, however, can be seen in the Arctic tundra during the summer season when the seasonal marshes, lakes, bogs form. The snowy owl is one of the most notable birds of the tundra.
Poikilotherms or cold-blooded animals are almost completely absent in the Tundra region. Human presence in the Arctic tundra is also minimal. Those who live here are mostly nomadic reindeer herders. Little human activity is also seen in the region although it is rich in natural resources like uranium, petroleum, and natural gas. The Antarctic tundra spreads across the continent Antarctica and several Antarctic and subantarctic islands.
It is the coldest region on Earth with temperatures dropping well below - 50 degrees celsius. Antarctica is also extremely dry with an average of only about mm of annual precipitation. Permafrost covers most parts of this region. Large ice caps and glaciers cover the entire landscape. High-speed winds also blow in the region. Most of the Antarctic tundra region is too cold to support any form of vegetation.
Rocky soil in some parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, however, have some plant life. Around species of mosses, species of lichens, 25 species of liverworts, and algae species grow on the exposed soil along the coastal regions. Two flowering plants, the Antarctic pearlwort, and the Antarctic hair grass also grow here. Unlike the Arctic tundra, the Antarctic tundra lacks any terrestrial mammalian species due to the isolation of the continent from the rest of the world.
Those who wished to travel there in the summer had to do so by plane, which could be very costly. This limitation has also made food brought into the North from southern Canada very expensive for people in the North. In , the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway in Canada's Northwest Territories was finished, changing this reality somewhat.
It is now possible to drive all the way to the Arctic Ocean from down south, weather permitting, all year round. Traditional people living in the North survived for thousands of years on a diet of fish, seal, whale, walrus, and other Arctic animals. They also gathered small plants during the limited growing season. In Greenland, some people practiced farming, but this is not usual in the North due to the very limited growing season. Today, people in the tundra still eat traditional fish and meat, but hunting is not the only way to get food.
Because these items have to travel so far to get to northern areas by truck or by plane, they are very expensive. The result is that food insecurity has come to light as a major issue for Inuit peoples. Statistics show that over 60 percent of children in Nunavut live in food-insecure households. Programs like FeedingNunavut are helping to address this problem. Traditional clothing in the North is made from animal furs and skins. When low temperatures hit, being outside without proper clothing can endanger your life.
Hunters waiting for hours to catch their prey traditionally wore caribou-skin or polar bear-skin clothing, with the fur against their body, and the skin facing out. What does tundra look like? Tundra ecosystems are treeless regions found in the Arctic and on the tops of mountains, where the climate is cold and windy, and rainfall is scant.
Tundra lands are covered with snow for much of the year, but summer brings bursts of wildflowers. What countries have a tundra biome? The tundra is a treeless polar desert found in the high latitudes in the polar regions, primarily in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Scandinavia, as well as sub-Antarctic islands. What is another word for tundra? Noun Synonyms. A flat and treeless Arctic biome. How is Tundra formed? Normally plants give off carbon dioxide when they decompose, but in the tundra they undergo a phenomenon called permafrost.
Scientists have uncovered thousand-year-old plants frozen in the tundra permafrost. The northern latitude and unusually cold climate create the unique soil structure of the tundra.
What is the tundra used for? The Arctic tundra, because of its low population density, amazing wildlife and glorious vistas, is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world. People travel to the tundra to enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, wildlife viewing and photography.
Is Antarctica a desert? Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and most isolated continent on Earth, and is considered a desert because its annual precipitation can be less than 51 mm in the interior.
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