8.2 Cold climate ecosystems and biodiversity

Question 1

What is the biodiversity in the tundra

Answer 1

relatively low

Question 2

give examples of producers in food webs

Answer 2

low-lying shrubs, mosses and lichens

Question 3

What does low-lying vegetation do

Answer 3

help protect soil from wind erosion

Question 4

Features of snow buttercups and artic poppys

Answer 4

Produce flowers quickly while snow is melting, maximizing photosynthesis in short growing season

Question 5

What is the significance of flowers facing towards sun

Answer 5

Suns weak rays are attracted towards center of plant

Question 6

Features of moss

Answer 6

Tolerate extreme cold, dry and wet conditions. They can cope with the melting active layer of permafrost in the growing season.

Question 7

Features of shallow root system

Answer 7

Plants are able to survive in frozen ground which is a barrier to root growth.

Question 8

Features of low-lying shrubs, mosses and lichens

Answer 8

Tolerate extreme conditions, grow close together to trap pockets of warmer air. Leaves are small and have tiny hairs to capture heat.

Question 9

Explain features of plants and soils in tundra environment (4 marks)

Answer 9

shallow root system: Plants are able to survive in frozen ground which is a barrier to root growth.
low-lying shrubs, mosses and lichens: Tolerate extreme conditions, grow close together to trap pockets of warmer air. Leaves are small and have tiny hairs to capture heat.

Question 10

Why is there a very a low biodiversity in the tundra and polar

Answer 10

Primary producers have a very short growing season and there is little food for consumers

Question 11

How are snowshoe rabbits adapted to survive in extreme environments

Answer 11

White fur to camouflage themselves against winter snow

Question 12

How are caribou and musk ox adapted to survive in extreme environments

Answer 12

Large hooves to help them travel over soggy ground and break the ice to find water
Two layers of fur to keep them warm in the bitter cold temperatures

Question 13

How are polar bears adapted to survive in extreme environments

Answer 13

Live in solitary existence to reduce the need for hunting

Question 14

Outline the ways in which polar and tundra animals are adapted to survive in an environment

Answer 14

• Snowshoe rabbits have white fur to camouflage themselves against the winter snow
• Polar bears live a solitary existence to reduce the need for hunting