Tundra biome: one of the largest biomes in the world

 

Today we will discuss one of the largest biomes in the world called the tundra biome.

This world is divided into different regions where some are covered with lustrous green grass. Others are engulfed in golden desserts. And this large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat is called a biome. Tundra is one such biome of this diverse environmental community. 

The tundra biome is among the world’s coldest and heaviest biomes on Earth. It is identified by extremely cold temperatures, little precipitation, and treeless landscapes.

Interesting information regarding tundra biome:

 

# The word “tundra” came from the Finnish word ‘tunturia’. It’s meaning treeless hill.

# More than 1,700 different plants are found in the tundra region.

# 48 species of land mammals are known to live in the tundra.

# Twenty percent of the area on Earth is covered by tundra.

# The permafrost can extend nearly 1,500 feet under the ground.

# Most of the world's tundras are found in the continents of Antarctica, North America, Northern Europe, and Northern Asia.

# The summer in the tundra can last as little as six weeks.

# In the summer, there are 24 hours of daylight each day.

# The highest summer temperatures reach about 10 degrees Celsius.

# Temperatures can go as low as minus 45.56 degrees Celsius in winter.

# The largest creatures that can be found in the tundra are polar bears.

# The kea is the only parrot living in a tundra.

# There is just a two-month growing season in the tundra.

Plants of the Tundra

Tundra means treeless area. Here plants struggle to survive in places of severe cold with periods of little light due to the harsh temperature and fairly permanent frozen ground cover. The tundra region contains almost 1,700 distinct plant species. Tundra plants are often low-growing and well-adapted to severe and freezing climates. Mosses, lichens, shrubs, and grasses are examples of common tundra flora. Arctic willow, dwarf willow, arctic poppy, cottongrass, and bearberry are all examples of tundra plant species. To live in the tundra ecosystem, these plants have evolved various adaptations, including small stature, shallow root systems, and the capacity to grow swiftly during the short summer season.

 

Animals of the Tundra:

The tundra is home to around 48 species of terrestrial animals. The Arctic fox, with its hair that blends into its surroundings, and the polar bear, which is well adapted for hunting on sea ice, are iconic animals. In quest of food, caribou, usually referred to as reindeer, make remarkable migrations over the tundra. Muskoxen move across the chilly landscape with the help of their thick fur and aggressive defense mechanisms. In addition, during the brief summer, migrating birds like snow geese and Arctic terns breed in the tundra, and lemmings and voles provide significant prey for predators. These creatures have adapted to the tundra's intense cold, fierce winds, and lengthy winters by evolving thick fur coats, unique digestion systems, and migration patterns.

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