3.2.6&7: The Arctic tundra biome & sustainable use of it Flashcards
How old is the tundra in relation to other biomes?
the world’s youngest biome,
formed after the last ice age,
10,000 years ago
How much fresh water for biodiversity does the tundra contain in relation to other biomes?
the largest amount compared to any other biome
What is the tundra made up of in terms of relief of landscape?
highland and lowland regions
Location of the arctic tundra
between the edge of taiga and the permanent ice caps of the Arctic/ North Pole
found in: northern Canada, Russia, Alaska, Greenland, Iceland and parts of Scandanavia
Where is arctic tundra the dominant biome
the Arctic/ sub-Arctic region
Pressure systems in the arctic tundra
high pressure systems and subsiding air
Subsiding air
sinking air
Rainfall and temperature levels of the arctic tundra
low temps. winter average: -34°C summer average: 3-12°C low rainfall 150-250mm of precipitation per year (lower than most deserts)
Weather of the arctic tundra
high winds
- can result in snow drifts
no sunlight in very northern regions up to 163 days a year
Characteristics of the arctic tundra’s climate
harsh/extreme climate
short growing season
Features of winter in the arctic tundra
long, dark and cold
most of the ground is covered in dense, packed snow
Biomass and productivity in the arctic tundra
low productivity due to short growing season
low biodiversity
Albedo in the arctic tundra
high albedo
Albedo
the frozen surface reflects the little radiation back into the atmosphere
Why is the ground unable to be warmed by the sun in the arctic tundra
lack of dark vegetation,
means that the ground is unable to be warmed by the absorption of radiation from the sun
Features of the soil in the arctic tundra
soil is slow to form due to low temps.
thin and acidic
Soil layers in the arctic tundra biome
3
Active layer
Permafrost
Talik
Active layer in the soil
A thin melt layer in the summer which is soil that goes through a freeze and thaw cycle annually.
Permafrost layer in the soil
Stays permanently frozen
Can be affected by climate change
Talik layer in the soil
Stays permanently frozen
not affected by climate change
What happens to soil/surface during the summer?
5
- a network of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands form
- the soil become waterlogged
- sunshine at this time of year boosts plant growth
- in lower latitudes a dense mat of vegetation can grow
- food provided for wildlife that already live there and attracts migration
Gleying
The soil becomes waterlogged and a reduction of oxygen occurs as a result of microbes feeding on organic soil matter. Therefore, water replaces air in pores and anaerobic conditions form, resulting in a reduction of iron. Leave the soil a grey/blue colour.
The underlying permafrost acts an impermeable layer of soil, effect on active later of soil?
this causes waterlogging and gleying of the active layer of the soil
Litter and decomposition in the arctic tundra
due to?
small amount of litter
limited decomposition
due to: limited plant growth
Frost heave
An upward swelling of soil due to the formation of ice during freezing conditions.
Frost heave can cause … in the arctic tundra
… = bedrock gets raised to the surface,
preventing formation of soil horizons
Soil horizons
A distinct level of soil parallel to the soil surface which may be composed of different organic matter than surface soil.
Vegetation in the arctic tundra
4
- 2000 species of plants, mainly mosses, grasses and flowering plants form the vegetation of arctic tundra
- plant diversity decreases as you go further north
- tree grow horizontally not vertically to benefit plant species underneath by providing shelter
- must grow fast during the short summer growing season
Plants in the tundra are adapted to
4 conditions
- short growing season
- high winds
- low temperature
- low nutrient levels in the soil (very slow weathering/decomposition)
Plants in the tundra are adapted to conditions by
5 adaptations
- shallow root systems
- low growing
- some grow huddled together/ in specific patterns
- some have adapted to growing in wetlands
- shape of flowers, leaves and stems
Arctic poppy
3 characteristics
- Big flowers which can face the sun at time time, maximises the rate of photosynthesis by removing sunlight as a limiting factor.
- Shallow roots as only grow in the active layer of soil systems
- colour helps heat absorbtion
Cotton grass
2 characteristics
A sedge with insulating tufts that helps the seeds get carried by the wind
Mosses in the arctic tundra
very vast, play a great role in insulating the permafrost
Lichens in the arctic tundra
hardy lichens play a role as a food source for a variety of species including barren ground caribou
Relationship between lichen and fungi
- symbiotic
- similar to coral and zoothantellae
Arctic bumblebee
2
Longer larval stage*
short adulthood
* = must be able to survive in low temps for long periods
Snowy owl
5
- Mainly a tundra breeder
- migrates in winter to southern Canada
- dense layer of down and feathers = insulation
- its main prey is lemmings so the two populations fluctuate
- also eats arctic hare and small birds
Examples of arctic tundra fish
3
arctic char
brook trout
arctic cod
Examples of arctic tundra birds
3
snowy owl
common raven
tundra swan
Examples of arctic tundra mammals
3
arctic fox
arctic hare
polar bears
Examples of arctic tundra invertebrates
2
arctic bumblebee
arctic woolly bear moth
Effect of climate change induce temperature increases on arctic tundra biome size
forecast to shift the limit of the tundra biome northwards at a rate of 15 miles per decade
Why is arctic tundra classed as a ‘stressed’ biome
due to its extreme climate and short and sensitive nature of its food chain,
producers in the ecosystem occupy a very specific ecological niche
How will animals like Caribou, Musk ox and Reindeer be threatened by climate change
will need to alter their grazing ranges to keep pace with shifting biome,
their numbers and ability to reproduce will be threatened by inadequate vegetation
How could a tipping point of irreversible change be reached in the arctic tundra biome?
thawing of permafrost,
carbon and methane storing permafrost is now shrinking at an alarming rate,
decomposition of organic matter becomes a heat source = rise in soil temps.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK LOOP
Threats to arctic tundra biome
7
changes in sea ice patterns changes in permafrost tundra fires air pollution mineral exploitation tourism invasive species
Norilsk, Russia
One of the largest Arctic cities
Norilsk Nickle, the world’s largest mining complex is based there
Norilsk Nickle
effect on environment
Contaminates the surrounding air, water and land.
All vegetation is completely dead within an 8km radius of the factory.
Reduced growth and damaged vegetation up to 200km away from the factory.
Environmental damage fine against Norilsk Nickle
$2 billion fine for environmental damage
‘environmental disaster’
oil spill in Arctic from an oil storage tank which sunk due to melting permafrost
21,000 tonnes of oil spilt
The Sami in Lapland
- Lapland: stretches across Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia
- herd and breed reindeer
- conflicts between Sami people and commercial businesses following attempts to ban the Sami from land use
- could lead to a loss of heritage and culture which dates back over 1000 years
Norilsk Nickle: future of the environment
new legislation to cut emissions by 75% by 2023
which will hopefully result in secondary succession of vegetation
Strategies used to manage the Canadian Tundra
5
- acts of legislation
- protected areas and national parks
- sanctuaries for animals
- research scientists monitoring programmes
- education of students and public
