COLD ENVIRONMENTS Flashcards
What is the climate like in polar environments?
Long cold winters
Annual temperatures mostly below freezing.
Often windy
Very little precipitation.
What is the soil like in polar environments?
The soil is covered in ice throughout the year
What are the plants like in polar environments?
There are hundreds of species of moss, algae and lichen survive the harsh conditions of the Polar biome. Few other plants can survive.
What are the animals like in polar environments?
Polar bears live in the Arctic and penguins live in the Antarctic. Whales, seals and snowy owls are also found in polar regions.
What is the climate like in tundra environments?
Cold, windy and little rainfall.
Snow covers the ground for much of the year.
Average temperature is between -12°C and -6°C.
The summer season lasts for 50-60 days each year during which there is permanent daylight.
What is permafrost?
A layer of frozen soil under the Earth’s surface found mostly only in tundra environments.
What is the soil like in tundra environments?
This is high in organic material because it is too cold for dead organisms to decompose.
What are the plants like in tundra environments?
Trees do not grow in the tundra. When the snow melts, small plants flower. In mountainous areas, cushion plants grow between the rocks.
What animals can be found in tundra environments?
Arctic foxes Polar bears Grey wolves Caribou Snow geese Musk-oxen Goats Sheep Marmots Insects Birds
