The Icy Tundra
The name "Tundra" comes from the Finnish word tunturi, which means "treeless plain." Tundras are the Earth's coldest and harshest biomes. They have extremely cold winters and chilly summers. The tundras support a variety of animal species, and several plant types as well. However, over the past years Global Warming has began to take effect on this biome causing changes.
Mutualism
An example of Mutualism that takes place in the Tundra, is the relationship between Lichen (a moss-like fungi plant) and a photosynthetic algae. The fungus feeds on the sugars produced by the algae, and the algae is protected by the fungi.
Commensalism
During the harsh and cold weather of the Tundra's winters, Caribou have to eat Lichen because it is the only food available that fulfills their nutritional needs. When the Caribou begins to go on his hunt, the arctic fox follows. The Caribou digs under the snow to get the Lichen and doing so he reveals small mammals that the fox then gets to hunt. Once the Caribou is finished eating he has left a hole for the fox to continue digging, so the fox can get his food for the day. This relationship does not harm the Caribou, and it benefits the fox.
Parasitism
Animals such as caribou, wolves, and even moose can get the Liver Tapeworm Cysts disease. These tapeworms live and grow in the bodies of animals, and eat the food that the animal consumes. This causes malnutrition for the animal. The liver tapeworm survives and gets stronger while it is potentially killing the host it lives in.
Predator-Prey
A predator in a Tundra biome is the arctic fox, and it preys on the rodent called a lemming. The fox will stalk the lemmings in the brush, or even dig them up from their underground homes. One arctic fox can kill up to a couple thousand lemmings a year to supply itself and family with food.
Food Web
Location
The Arctic Tundra is located in the northern hemisphere, encircling the north pole and retreats south ending at the coniferous forests of the taiga. Locations it covers include: Alaska, Northern Canada, Greenland, Northern Europe, and Northern Asia.
Latitude: 60°- 85° North
Longitude: 55°- 160° West
Altitude: Very high altitude of 10,000 ft. This high altitude causes a very adverse climate.
Global Warming is effecting the size and stability of the tundra's. Scientist believe that if the tundra's keep decreasing at the rate they are then eventually tundra's will be eliminated.. Forever.
Latitude: 60°- 85° North
Longitude: 55°- 160° West
Altitude: Very high altitude of 10,000 ft. This high altitude causes a very adverse climate.
Global Warming is effecting the size and stability of the tundra's. Scientist believe that if the tundra's keep decreasing at the rate they are then eventually tundra's will be eliminated.. Forever.
Threats to the Tundra
Global Warming is a huge threat to the Tundra Biome. About one third of the world's soil-bound carbon is in the tundra's permafrost, and as the ice begins to melt the soil will begin to thaw. As the soil thaws its organic contents begin to decay and release the greenhouse gas, Carbon Dioxide. The ozone layer begins to deplete at the north and south poles because of the released carbon dioxide, which causes harmful ultraviolet rays to reach Earth at a much more concentrated consistency.
The warming of the tundra also allows new species of animals to move into the biome. This can cause a problem because they will use all the resources that the native species use. Eventually causing species to become endangered or extinct.
Building roads in the tundra locations put heat and energy on the permafrost causing it to melt. And also the exploration of oil, gas, and minerals causes a disturbance in habitat.
People do many things that are beginning to ruin our environment:
-Building of roads in natural areas
-Hunting the native animals in the biome
-Drilling for oil
Solutions for a better environment:
-Switch to alternative energy uses to minimize human-made Global Warming
-Limit road construction in natural areas
-Establish protected areas and park reserves
-Limit tourism and respect local cultures
The warming of the tundra also allows new species of animals to move into the biome. This can cause a problem because they will use all the resources that the native species use. Eventually causing species to become endangered or extinct.
Building roads in the tundra locations put heat and energy on the permafrost causing it to melt. And also the exploration of oil, gas, and minerals causes a disturbance in habitat.
People do many things that are beginning to ruin our environment:
-Building of roads in natural areas
-Hunting the native animals in the biome
-Drilling for oil
Solutions for a better environment:
-Switch to alternative energy uses to minimize human-made Global Warming
-Limit road construction in natural areas
-Establish protected areas and park reserves
-Limit tourism and respect local cultures
Endangered Species
Polar Bear- the polar bears eat seals which live on ice, and due to the climate change the ice is melting so the seals are leaving, which means the main supply of food for polar bears is gone.
Arctic Hare- the arctic hare fluctuates depending on how much the arctic fox can catch, but recently because of the climate change the number alive are decreasing.
Grizzly Bear- the grizzly bear is considered endangered in all locations with exception of Alaska. Alaska has a great amount of grizzlies; however, everywhere else the number of the bears has decreased numerously.
Scientists have theories that say all the species in the tundra are potentially in danger of extinction because Global Warming will eliminate the Tundra's completely.
Arctic Hare- the arctic hare fluctuates depending on how much the arctic fox can catch, but recently because of the climate change the number alive are decreasing.
Grizzly Bear- the grizzly bear is considered endangered in all locations with exception of Alaska. Alaska has a great amount of grizzlies; however, everywhere else the number of the bears has decreased numerously.
Scientists have theories that say all the species in the tundra are potentially in danger of extinction because Global Warming will eliminate the Tundra's completely.