Arctic Plant Adaptations

Question 1

What is the active layer

Answer 1

Soil in the tundra region that is frozen part of the year which is between 30 cm to 1-m deep

Question 2

What is permafrost

Answer 2

Permafrost frozen ground which has been below zero for over 2 years

Question 3

Why do plants in the tundra region have a short growing season

Answer 3

The active layer of the soil is frozen for part of the year making him access to the nutrients harder in the temperatures are too cold below 0 degrees

Question 4

Describe how heather adapted to the cold tundra temperatures of - 25 to 5 degrees Celsius

Answer 4

Krumping plants grow together to trap air which act like an insulator warming the plant

Low lying below 12 in tall close to the dark soil to absorb heat which is the albedo effect and protects against the wind

Question 5

Define desertification

Answer 5

When the top soil is baked hard nutrients and no vegetation will regrow

Question 6

How has the heather adapted to the soil shallow active layer 100cm and permafrost layers

Answer 6

Short roots that grow sideways roots grow sideways to be able to get the nutrients from the thin active layer faster as the deepest soils are permafrost and frozen

Question 7

How has the arctic crocus to the cold tundra

Answer 7

Low lying close to the ground less than 12 in there close to the dark soil to absorb heat from the sun. And also hairy stems to help to trap the heat near the plan and protect from wind

Question 8

How have lichens adapted to the high wind speeds and nutrient poor soils

Answer 8

Either no or very shallow soil is needed because they have a doctor to grow on rocks and we can get the energy from photosynthesis

Question 9

How has the Arctic poppy adapted to the cold tundra temperatures

Answer 9

Cup shaped flowers the cup focuses more sun into the centre of the flower to warm it and help it grow quickly