#19 Tundra

Question 1

Where is the tundra located and what characterizes it?

Answer 1

• Arctic or alpine
• characterized by bare ground, growth of mosses, lichens, sedges, and low shrubs

Question 2

list the common characteristics of the tundra (temp, precip,

Answer 2

• cold, moist, low precipitation, and short growing season
• low soil nutrients because of slow decomposition, P and N are limiting

Question 3

what percentage of tundra species are annual vs perennial

Answer 3

1-5% are annual vs 95% perennial

Question 4

Which type of plants are common in the Alpine Tundra

Answer 4

cushion plants: low growing plants that form dense cushion-like mats or tufts

Question 5

what are some key differences between arctic and alpine tundra with regards to: Area covered, elevation, precipitation, daylight length, light intensity, permafrost, regeneration, growing season, and production

Answer 5

Arctic covers more area at a lower elevation and precipitation. Arctic has a longer day length with lower intensity. Arctic has more permafrost, shorter growing season and less production

Question 6

Does the Tundra have a high or low primary production

Answer 6

Low due to short growing season and low nutrient availability

Question 7

Where is all the biomass located in the tundra

Answer 7

below ground - most of the production enters the detrital food chain

Question 8

What impacts have the humans had on the Arctic

Answer 8

• oil exploitation
• Pollution
• Aboriginal

Question 9

What impacts have humans had on the Alpine?

Answer 9

• Overgrazing by domestic animals
• Recreation

Question 10

Where is the gold mine located that required cleanup

Answer 10

Yellowknife

Question 11

What has been polluted at the gold mine?

Answer 11

arsenic trioxide, adjacent to the Great Slave Lake

Question 12

How did they contain the arsenic trioxide?

Answer 12

freezing the rocks surrounding, so water cannot get in or out through thermo siphons