cold environments Flashcards
what is the climate like in polar environments
Polar areas are very cold , normally below freezing winters tend to drop to -40 degrees Celsius and can reach -90 degrees Celsius
describe the climate in tundra
tundra areas are also cold. warm months only reach a maximum of 10 degrees calciols while winters can plunge to -50 degrees
describe the soil in polar areas
ice sheets cover polar areas so no soil is exposed
describe the soil in tundra
beneath the thin soil is a layer of permafrost, holding trapped greenhouse gases
what happens in tundra areas in the summer
in summer, when the tundra has greater plant cover, the surface plants absorb heat from the sun, preventing the permafrost below from thawing. the permafrost provides water for plants
how can changes to one component of the ecosystem have knock on effects
if humans trample lots of plants, the soil is exposed to sunlight and warms up. this may thaw the permafrost, saturating soil and preventing plant growth. with fewer plants to eat, animals will struggle to find enough food to survive. melting permafrost also releases greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming
how have the plants and animals adapted to the cold dry climates
plants in tundra environments have adapted to survive the extreme cold and strong winds. they must also endure the dry winter conditions when all moisture is frozen , and wet summer conditions when the top layer of soil thaws and the ground becomes boggy and waterlogged
describe the adaptations of plants in tundra
most plants become dormant to survive the cold , dark, winters
plants are low-growing and round-shaped to provide protection from the wind
most plants have shallow roots because of the layers of permafrost beneath the soil layer.
leaves are generally small to limit the amount of moisture lost through transpiration
the warmer wetter summer is very short, so most plants have adapted to have a growing season of just 50-60 days
many plants reproduce using underground runners or bulbs to cope with the cold and because the growing season is short
describe the adaptations of animals in artic
animals in cold environments tend to be well insulated- they might have thick thur like polar bears or a layer of blubber like seals. this reduces the amount of energy they have to use to keep warm
some animals hibernate to conserve energy and to survive the winter
animals that don’t hibernate have adapted to survive on the limited food sources available
many birds migrate to warmer areas for the winter
many animals grow white winter coats for camofluage- this helps predators to sneak up on their prey, and helps prey to hide in the snow
describe the biodiversity in cold environments
cold environments have very low biodiversity- there are fewer species of plants and animals in cold environments than most other environments
low biodiversity means when when the population of one species changes it can affect the population of dependant species.
global warming is causing some species to move towards the poles, where it is colder, in response to temperature rises in their natural habitat. species already adapted to polar environments can’t go anywhere colder, so are at risk of decline or extinction if climate change causes the polar areas to warm up too much.
how is a cold environment interdependant
indigenous people depend on animals such as seals and whales for, food clothing and heating. the snow and ice are used in constructing traditional shelters.
plants from dense cushions on the ground to retain moisture and heat and to provide shelter from the strong winds
the bright red berries of the bearberry attract owls and other birds, which eat the berries and therefore disperse the seeds
arctic birds use moss to provide warmth and shelter in their nests
why should wilderness areas be protected
polar and tundra regions are fragile environments. they develop extremely slowly and take many years to recover from the damage inflicted by people, such as pollution, mining, or transportation. it is said that even a footprint in the tundra will last for 10 years
scientists need to conduct research in unspoiled environments to understand global processes of change
some wilderness areas are inhabited by indigenous people
cold environments provide important habitats for many species of plants, animals, and birds such as penguins, polar bears, and the arctic fox.
there is a global moral responsibility to retain some wilderness areas that reflect the natural world without human interference.
