A biome is a large region of the world with interesting and similar plants, animals and other living things. These living organisms have adapted to specific climates, or conditions in their biomes. Scorching heat or frigid coldness are few of many examples of a climate or a condition. Some examples of biomes are coral reefs, and deserts. Here's a question you can think about. If there aren't any plants in a biome, is it a biome? Why or why not?
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biome?qsrc=2890
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/ecosystems.html
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Polar Tundra
Our biome is polar tundra. There are many factors that make the polar tundra biome unique. One factor that makes polar tundra unique is the temperature. There are strong winds, up to 100 miles per hour in the polar tundra. In this area, it is very cold. The average winter temperature is about -25°C, and in the summer it is rarely over 10°C. The summertime only lasts six to eight weeks. In the winter it is dark most of the time, and even in the summer it is usually cloudy. Biodiversity is low in the polar tundra biome. Not many species of plants and animals are able to survive in the coldness of the polar tundra. Some animals and plants that live in polar tundra are snow owls, caribou, deer, musk oxen, grizly bears, snow wolves, polar bears, arctic mosses, arctic willows, bearberries, caribou mosses, labrador leaves, and tufted saxifrages.
Do you think there is enough biodiversity in polar tundra if a disease started killing one type of species? Would other animals be effected?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_page.htm
Do you think there is enough biodiversity in polar tundra if a disease started killing one type of species? Would other animals be effected?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_page.htm
The North Pole
http://www.saidaonline.com/en/newsgfx/north%20pole-saidaonline.jpg
This is the North Pole, a polar tundra area. There is mainly snow, hills, and glaciers in this areas. How do you think these snowy hills and mountains formed?
The Vast Polar Tundra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgZeqQBXDR8&feature=PlayList&p=CCC380B677CA77E4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34
In polar tundra areas, there are many beautiful and unique things to witness. If you were to walk through our biome, you would see many polar animals such as seals and walruses. There would be many snowy hills and mountains, along with freezing cold streams and other bodies of water. One gorgeous sight to see in polar tundra regions are auroras. Auroras are luminous
bands of light in the atmosphere. They can be found in the northern and southern areas of Earth. How do you think auroras are created?
Polar Tundra Plants
http://i.pbase.com/o6/08/700508/1/74404412.ouxSzDXF.Arcticpoppypapaverradicatum.jpgThe arctic poppy is another type of common plant that lives in the polar tundra biome. They like to grow between rocks where heat is absorbed more. They are able to grow more this way. The poppy can be eaten by other animals for food. Insects and other such creatures are attracted to this plant because of its beautiful colors. The arctic poppy is a cup-shaped flowers that faces up to the sun, so the sun's rays are directed towards the center of the flower. The poppy stays warmer than the air around them, and is able to survive in the coldness of the polar tundra.
The arctic moss is a common plant that lives and survives in polar tundra. There is usually little sunlight yearly in polar tundra regions, so the arctic moss stores nutrients so new leaves can be made quickly next spring. More leaves mean that they can photosynthesize more. Arctic moss also helps its surrounding areas by warming them up so other plant life can grow. The arctic moss can be provision and food for aniamls such as birds that have migrated south. In polar tundra, they're strong, frigid winds and temperatures below 0. Arctic mosses grow in freshwater arctic lakes. They grow under water and are protected from the drying winds and cold, dry air of the polar tundra. Arctic moss also grows close together, and close to the ground, so it's easier for them to survive in the coldness.
Can you think of any other adaptions plants in the polar tundra might have. (Hint: They grow something on them).
Polar Tundra Animals
Wolverines live in the polar tundra. Wolverines eat mice, rats, small mammals, birds and eggs. They help continue the food cycle. The wolverine has big furry feet that act as snowshoes in the winter. This allows the wolverine to chase and run after prey on snowy hills, or deep snow. Its thick fur coat also allows it to stay warm during cold times.
http://library.thinkquest.org/3500/Wolverine.html
The arctic fox is another animal that lives and survives in the polar tundra. They eat caribou, rabbits, seals, birds, insects, fish and eggs. As you can see, the arctic fox is a firece predator. The arctic fox's fur changes color depending on the season. during the winter, its fur is white as the snow. During the summer, it turns light brown and stays a little white. So this fox can camouflage as well. These predator adaptions make it even a more fierce and skilled predator. The arctic fox has adapted to the severe coldness in several ways. This fox possesses warm, cozy fur, that keeps is warm. The fox's tail, ears, and nose are fairly short to keep heat condensed in its body.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_animal_page.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_arctic_foxes_eat
If there aren't any arctic wolves or wolverines, will the population of birds, caribou, deer, or rabbits become too high?
Where is the Polar Tundra Biome Located?
Polar regions are very cold. They are cold because of there location. Polar tundra biomes are the farthest biomes from the equator, where it is burning hot. Since these polar regions are the farthest from the equator, they are the coldest. Places t hat have polar tundra biomes in them are Russia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and the Arctic Ocean is part of the polar tundra biome. What do think would happen if these polar tundra regions and biomes were located closer to the equator? What effects would this make on humans and animals?
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