Biomes tundra

Introduction arth is home to millions of different organisms, all of which have specific survival needs, These organisms rely on their environment, or the place where they live, for their survival All plants and animals have relationships with their environment They interact with the environment itself, as well as the other plants and animals within the environment This interaction creates an ecosystem Different organisms have different needs Not every animal can survive in extreme climates Not all plants require the same amount of water Earth is composed of many types of environments, each of which provides organisms with the living conditions they need to survive Organisms with similar environmental needs form communities in areas that meet these needs These areas are called biomes A biome can have several ecosystems Alaska is home to Denali National Park Tbe tallest mountain peak in North America, Mount McKinley, towers above tbis frozen tundra zone Biomes are sometimes called "life zones " because they are divided according to the different kinds of plant and animal life that live within them Elephant seals were huotiid for their hluhher and were on the verge of extinction By the late ißOOs, the population was only 100 Today, the estimated population is 130,000 The Lapland longspun a common tundra bird, builds its nest under clumps of grass Tundras are regions in the coldest places on Earth There are two types of tundra Arctic tundra is found mainly in the far north of the northern hemisphere, such as the North Pole Alpine tundra is found on high mountains all over the world, including the Swiss Alps Tundras have low temperatures, little precipitation, and short growing seasons Plants and animals have been forced to adapt to these difficult conditions in order to survive Though tundras may seem lifeless, they are home to some of the most interesting plants and animals on Earth Plants found in tundras include tundra poppies and lichens Polar bears and caribou are just two types of animals found in the tundra Shrubs Shrubs are common in alpine tundra regions and the more southerly regions of the arctic tundra Bearberries are low shrubs that have bright red berries The shrubs get their name because bears eat their fruit There are about 250,000 flowering plants in the world Only 500 of these plants live in the tundra Plants prevent permafrost from melting They protect the frozen ground from warmer temperatures aiid sunliyht Boarberry leaves have betin used lo treat illnesses for thousands of yeiirs The area that separates forest from tundra is called the tree line The tree line marks the point where it is too cold for trees to grow Tundra meadows are moist because of poor drainage This allows for the growth of lush plant life Mammals Polar Bears Polar bears are easily recognized by their cream-colored coats They are the world's largest land carnivores, or meateating animals Polar bears can weigh up to 990 pounds {450 kilograms) Polar bears have found special ways to stay warm in the frozen climate Beneath their thick fur, they have a 3-inch {8-cm) layer of fat, or blubber, that keeps them from becoming too cold Caribou Caribou belong to the deer family They live in huge herds Caribou constantly migrate over long distances to avoid cold or look for food Their thick fur coats Polar bears can smell prey as far as 20 miles (32 km) away keep them warm Each of their hairs is hollow and traps warmth from their bodies to keep them from freezing Wolves Where there is a herd of caribou, a pack of wolves is never far behind A full-grown arctic wolf stands feet (91 cm) tall and weighs about 175 pounds {79 kg) Arctic wolves only kill what they can eat Caribou is their main prey, but they also eat lemmings, arctic hare, and muskox They store food in their stomachs This food is then regurgitated to feed their young Gray wolves live in packs of up to twenty individuals TUnDRA5 Grizzly bears live in tbe tundra During thii warmer montbs, grizzlies hunt for salmon and eat berries In winter, they move to caves farther south to hibernate ' Muskoxen have kmg, shaggy coats to keep them warm They also bave long, pointed horns to protect them from predators Tbough muskoxen look like bufl^alo, they are related Ko goatí: C;iiribou bave wide hoofs that help them to keep a steady footing on the uneven tundra floor Tbey use tbeir Lemmings make paths along tbe ground hoofs to dig through snow for mos:ỵ called runways, which they use for to eat finding food Lemmings Two types of lemmings live in Lemmings are small, mouse-like creatures Lemmings range from to inches (8 to 15 cm) long and weigh 0.5 to ounces (14 to 113 grams) They burrow in tunnels underground When food is scarce, lemmings leave their tunnels to move to another region They run across the tundra, refusing to stop They not even eat during their migration They swim across water, such as streams or rivers Sometimes lemmings try to cross the ocean They climb over top of each other In the process, many drown and brown lemmings In winter, tbe tundra—collared lemmings I collared lemmings turn from brown to wbite Tbeir wbite fur belps tbeim ciimouflage, or blend in, with theii surroundings and hide from predators 21 Birds, Whales, Fish, and Insects Birds Gulls and ravens fly high above the frozen tundra These birds brave the cold year-round Others, such as the arctic tern, arrive in spring and migrate to South America in winter The arctic tern has a 31-inch (79-cm) wingspan— more than twice the length of its body This helps the bird make the long journey to and from the tundra The ptarmigan is one of the few birds that lives on the tundra all year About the size of a small chicken, the ptarmigan A Killer whales can swim at speeds up to 30 miles (50 km) per hour has a stout body, short tail and legs, and short, rounded wings The ptarmigan is covered with feathers, even on its beak and feet Foot feathers help the bird walk on top of soft snow Whales Beluga and orea whales breach, or come above water for air, in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of the tundra Oreas are sometimes called killer whales, even though they are not likely to harm humans The nickname comes from their scientific name Orcinus orea In Latin, orcinus means "bringer of death." Whales feed on plankton and smaller fish in the ocean Glaucous-winged gulls are commonly found in Alaska in the summer TUhDRA5 There are more types of insect than any other creature in tbe tundra Tbe average male orea weighs between and 10 tons |8 and 11 tonnes) Oreas travel in groups of five to thirty These groups are called pods With no trees in the tundrii, snowy owls have adapted by building neüts on the ground Mosquitoes feed through a long, thin tube Fish There are few species of fish in the tundra because there is so little water The fish that live in this biome have adapted to their surroundings The Alaska blackfish, which is found in North America and parts of Asia, can breathe air This allows it to live in very little water Insects In the summer, black flies and mosquitoes swarm above the warm, damp wedand areas in the tundra Springtails not have wings They use their hooked tails to bounce through the air like fleas Insects provide food for birds and other animals They are very important to life in the tundra Walruses migrate to the tundra in summer Like the trunks of trees, a walrus's tusks have rings Each ring represents year of its life 23 Endangered Tundra he tundra's plants and animals seem very strong, since they have adapted to harsh weather, extreme temperatures, and a lack of constant food sources However, the tundra is very fragile, and many of the creatures that call the biome home are endangered Hunting is the biggest threat to the animals of the tundra Polar bears are enormous and can run quickly, but hunters that want their fiir have threatened these animals with extinction Muskoxen have been faced with extinction more than once In the 1900s, the large beasts were hunted for their meat, horns, and coats By 1917, there were only hundreds of the animals left Since then, laws have been passed to protect these animals Scientists continue to find ways to increase muskoxen populations Muskoxen form a circle around younger members of the herd as defense and protection Unfortunately, this makes them easy prey for hunters TUMDRAS Pollution caused by human development and industries also harms the tundra Pollution damages the tundra in the form of acid rain Harmful chemicals become trapped in the rain These chemicals poison plants and animals that need water to survive Pollution also contributes to global warming Many of the tundra's plants and animals can only survive in a cold environment If Earth warms too much, many of these life forms will disappear The northern fur seal is considered a vulnerable species Between the eighteenth century and 1911, these seals were hunted for their fur Seals are endangered in the tundra Some people kill seals because they are helieved to threaten fish populations Oil spills threaten tundra plants and animals Large ships carrying oil to other countries sometimes collide with icebergs, spilling oil Oil coats the water and living creatures Tn save the disappearing polar bear species, Canada, the United State:», Russia, Norway, and Greenland sugned an agreement in 1967 that made hunting bears illegal 25 FURTHER RESEARCH H ow can I find more information about ecosystems, tundra, and animals? Libraries have many interesting books about ecosystems, tundra, and animals Science centers and aquariums are great places to learn about ecosystems, tundra, and animals The Internet offers some great Web sites dedicated to ecosystems, tundra, and animals BOOKS Gellhorn, Joyce Song of the Alpine: The Rocky Mountain Tundra Through the Seasons Boulder, CO: Johnson Books, 2002 Goetz, Delia Arctic Tundra New York, NY: William Morrow, 2000 Moore, Peter D Tundra New York, NY: Facts on File, 2005 W i B SITES Where can I learn more about the tundra and other biomes? The World's Biomes www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/ gloss5/biome/index.html How can I learn more about tundra? Tundra Biomes www.worldbiomes.com/biomes _tundra.htm Walker, Tom Caribou: Wanderer of the Tundra Portland, OR: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 2000 How can I learn more about ecology? Kids Do Ecology www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceasweb/kids/ecology/faq.html Shrubs Shrubs are common in alpine tundra regions and the more southerly regions of the arctic tundra Bearberries are low shrubs that have bright red berries The shrubs get their name because bears eat their fruit There are about 250,000 flowering plants in the world Only 500 of these plants live in the tundra Plants prevent permafrost from melting They protect the frozen ground from warmer temperatures aiid sunliyht Boarberry leaves have betin used lo treat illnesses for thousands of yeiirs The area that separates forest from tundra is called the tree line The tree line marks the point where it is too cold for trees to grow Tundra meadows are moist because of poor drainage This allows for the growth of lush plant life Mammals Polar Bears Polar bears are easily recognized by their cream-colored coats They are the world's largest land carnivores, or meateating animals Polar bears can weigh up to 990 pounds {450 kilograms) Polar bears have found special ways to stay warm in the frozen climate Beneath their thick fur, they have a 3-inch {8-cm) layer of fat, or blubber, that keeps them from becoming too cold Caribou Caribou belong to the deer family They live in huge herds Caribou constantly migrate over long distances to avoid cold or look for food Their thick fur coats Polar bears can smell prey as far as 20 miles (32 km) away keep them warm Each of their hairs is hollow and traps warmth from their bodies to keep them from freezing Wolves Where there is a herd of caribou, a pack of wolves is never far behind A full-grown arctic wolf stands feet (91 cm) tall and weighs about 175 pounds {79 kg) Arctic wolves only kill what they can eat Caribou is their main prey, but they also eat lemmings, arctic hare, and muskox They store food in their stomachs This food is then regurgitated to feed their young Gray wolves live in packs of up to twenty individuals TUnDRA5 Grizzly bears live in tbe tundra During thii warmer montbs, grizzlies hunt for salmon and eat berries In winter, they move to caves farther south to hibernate ' Muskoxen have kmg, shaggy coats to keep them warm They also bave long, pointed horns to protect them from predators Tbough muskoxen look like bufl^alo, they are related Ko goatí: C;iiribou bave wide hoofs that help them to keep a steady footing on the uneven tundra floor Tbey use tbeir Lemmings make paths along tbe ground hoofs to dig through snow for mos:ỵ called runways, which they use for to eat finding food Lemmings Two types of lemmings live in Lemmings are small, mouse-like creatures Lemmings range from to inches (8 to 15 cm) long and weigh 0.5 to ounces (14 to 113 grams) They burrow in tunnels underground When food is scarce, lemmings leave their tunnels to move to another region They run across the tundra, refusing to stop They not even eat during their migration They swim across water, such as streams or rivers Sometimes lemmings try to cross the ocean They climb over top of each other In the process, many drown and brown lemmings In winter, tbe tundra—collared lemmings I collared lemmings turn from brown to wbite Tbeir wbite fur belps tbeim ciimouflage, or blend in, with theii surroundings and hide from predators 21 Birds, Whales, Fish, and Insects Birds Gulls and ravens fly high above the frozen tundra These birds brave the cold year-round Others, such as the arctic tern, arrive in spring and migrate to South America in winter The arctic tern has a 31-inch (79-cm) wingspan— more than twice the length of its body This helps the bird make the long journey to and from the tundra The ptarmigan is one of the few birds that lives on the tundra all year About the size of a small chicken, the ptarmigan A Killer whales can swim at speeds up to 30 miles (50 km) per hour has a stout body, short tail and legs, and short, rounded wings The ptarmigan is covered with feathers, even on its beak and feet Foot feathers help the bird walk on top of soft snow Whales Beluga and orea whales breach, or come above water for air, in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of the tundra Oreas are sometimes called killer whales, even though they are not likely to harm humans The nickname comes from their scientific name Orcinus orea In Latin, orcinus means "bringer of death." Whales feed on plankton and smaller fish in the ocean Glaucous-winged gulls are commonly found in Alaska in the summer TUhDRA5 There are more types of insect than any other creature in tbe tundra Tbe average male orea weighs between and 10 tons |8 and 11 tonnes) Oreas travel in groups of five to thirty These groups are called pods With no trees in the tundrii, snowy owls have adapted by building neüts on the ground Mosquitoes feed through a long, thin tube Fish There are few species of fish in the tundra because there is so little water The fish that live in this biome have adapted to their surroundings The Alaska blackfish, which is found in North America and parts of Asia, can breathe air This allows it to live in very little water Insects In the summer, black flies and mosquitoes swarm above the warm, damp wedand areas in the tundra Springtails not have wings They use their hooked tails to bounce through the air like fleas Insects provide food for birds and other animals They are very important to life in the tundra Walruses migrate to the tundra in summer Like the trunks of trees, a walrus's tusks have rings Each ring represents year of its life 23 Endangered Tundra he tundra's plants and animals seem very strong, since they have adapted to harsh weather, extreme temperatures, and a lack of constant food sources However, the tundra is very fragile, and many of the creatures that call the biome home are endangered Hunting is the biggest threat to the animals of the tundra Polar bears are enormous and can run quickly, but hunters that want their fiir have threatened these animals with extinction Muskoxen have been faced with extinction more than once In the 1900s, the large beasts were hunted for their meat, horns, and coats By 1917, there were only hundreds of the animals left Since then, laws have been passed to protect these animals Scientists continue to find ways to increase muskoxen populations Muskoxen form a circle around younger members of the herd as defense and protection Unfortunately, this makes them easy prey for hunters TUMDRAS Pollution caused by human development and industries also harms the tundra Pollution damages the tundra in the form of acid rain Harmful chemicals become trapped in the rain These chemicals poison plants and animals that need water to survive Pollution also contributes to global warming Many of the tundra's plants and animals can only survive in a cold environment If Earth warms too much, many of these life forms will disappear The northern fur seal is considered a vulnerable species Between the eighteenth century and 1911, these seals were hunted for their fur Seals are endangered in the tundra Some people kill seals because they are helieved to threaten fish populations Oil spills threaten tundra plants and animals Large ships carrying oil to other countries sometimes collide with icebergs, spilling oil Oil coats the water and living creatures Tn save the disappearing polar bear species, Canada, the United State:», Russia, Norway, and Greenland sugned an agreement in 1967 that made hunting bears illegal 25 ri^ WORKING IN THE TUNDRA T he people who study the land, plants, and animals in the tundra must have a strong background in history, math, and science There are many types of jobs that involve studying the tundra, including anthropology, biology, and paleontology Many people who work in the tundra study ecology RESEARCH SCIENTISTS • Duties: collecting and recording data in desert environments • Education: bachelor of science degree • Interests: Earth science, ecosystems, science, geology, biology Research scientists study the plants, animals, and climates of the tundra.They work with assistants to find ways to protect living creatures that call the tundra home For example, they track the migration patterns of animals such as caribou and birds Research scientists also study the effects of global warming on the permafrost layer -w J PROFESSORS • Duties: teaching students about biomes and ecology • Education: doctoral degree • Interests: science, ecology, environment ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS • Duties: studying environments and determining ways to protect them • Education: bachelor's degree in environmental design or natural resource management • Interests: environment, nature, conservation Environmental consultants study the ways in which pollution and human interaction with the tundra cause it harm They find ways to protect the unique environment from dangers such as oil spills Professors in colleges and universities teach a number of subjects, such as anthropology, that relate to the tundra Native peoples often have an understanding of the climate, animals, and plants that share their tundra home Learning about the people who live in the lundra can help scientists understand the biome ECO CHALLENGE I What is a biome? Are there tundra regions on all of Earth's continents? > How much of the planet is covered hy tundra? What is a glacier? What are pingos? How they form? What are weather balloons used for in the tundra? / What is lichen? How people in the tundra use arctic cotton? What animal is the world s largest land carnivore? What are the biggest threats to animals in the tundra? Answers sjooq j|3L|i auji o; ^ JO dn apeui LusmeBjo ue LjdsouijB am ui s|9Aa| seB •jaqjo qoea jo doj uo dn pnnq pue azaajj siue|d jo sjaAei UBLjM Lujoj Aai|| sajtiionjis padeLjs-punoLu aje soBujcj ao; pue MOUS JO SSeUI ßUjAOLU-AAOlS e iuaojad o^inoqe uj punoj S! ejpunx enejisnv JO 'eov 'eauaiuv nỵnog «II ejpuni ou S| ajaqx of\j ajaqdsoiq S,L]XJB3 UjqijAA uojöaj e fTAYINCi WARM M any animals in the tundra have thick fur coats, extra layers of fat, or feathers to keep them warm In this activity, you can see how having these extra layers help tundra animals stay warm Blubber helps keep marine mammals warm in coot water MATERIALS • • • • • • • • • tablespoon lard or shortening sandwich bag paper towel packing tape ice and water bucket thermometer stopwatch gloves made from a variety of materials, such as rubber, cotton, wool, or neoprene Scoop a large amount of lard or shortening into a sandwich bag Turn another sandwich bag inside out Place this bag inside the bag of lard or shortening Line up the top of both bags Using a paper towel, wipe the tops of both bags clean Then, tape the tops closed, leaving a small opening for your hand Fill the bucket with water Using the thermometer, measure the water temperature Add ice until the temperature is between 48° and 64° F (9° and 18° C) Place your bare hand in the ice water Use the stopwatch to time how long you can keep your hand in the water Next, repeat the experiment wearing different gloves For each glove, time how long you can keep your hand in the water Finally, put your hand inside the bag of lard or shortening How long can you keep your hand in the water? Which protective covering kept your hand warmest? FURTHER RESEARCH H ow can I find more information about ecosystems, tundra, and animals? Libraries have many interesting books about ecosystems, tundra, and animals Science centers and aquariums are great places to learn about ecosystems, tundra, and animals The Internet offers some great Web sites dedicated to ecosystems, tundra, and animals BOOKS Gellhorn, Joyce Song of the Alpine: The Rocky Mountain Tundra Through the Seasons Boulder, CO: Johnson Books, 2002 Goetz, Delia Arctic Tundra New York, NY: William Morrow, 2000 Moore, Peter D Tundra New York, NY: Facts on File, 2005 W i B SITES Where can I learn more about the tundra and other biomes? The World's Biomes www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/ gloss5/biome/index.html How can I learn more about tundra? Tundra Biomes www.worldbiomes.com/biomes _tundra.htm Walker, Tom Caribou: Wanderer of the Tundra Portland, OR: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 2000 How can I learn more about ecology? Kids Do Ecology www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceasweb/kids/ecology/faq.html GLOSSARY algae: organisms that live in the water and make their own food greenhouse gases: atmospheric gases that can reflect heat back to Earth altitudes: the height of something aboveground hemisphere: one of two halves of Earth anthropology: the study of humans and their customs bogs: spongy, damp land ecosystem: a community of living things sharing an environment endangered: in danger of becoming extinct migratory: to move from one place to another organisms: living things paleontology: the study of fossils regurgitated: to spit up sedges: grass-like plants that live in marshes or wet environments fungi: living things that get their food from plants or animals INDEX alpine tundra 5, 7,12,19 Antarctica 6, 7, 29 arctic tundra 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19 birds 5, 16, 22, 23, 26 climate 10, 11, 12, 15, 16,17, 20, 26, 27 fish 17,22,23,25 glaciers 10, 11, 14, 15,28 global warming 14, 15, 25, 26 grasses 4, 5, 16, 18 icebergs 11,25 insects 16, 18, 22, 23 lichen 5,12,16,18, 28, 29 mammals 17, 20 North Pole 5,10,12 permafrost 6,12,13,15,19, 26 pingos 13,28,29 polygons 12, 13 trees 6,11,12,16,18, 19,23 wetlands 13, 23 ... gloss5/biome/index.html How can I learn more about tundra? Tundra Biomes www.worldbiomes.com /biomes _tundra. htm Walker, Tom Caribou: Wanderer of the Tundra Portland, OR: Graphic Arts Center Publishing... gloss5/biome/index.html How can I learn more about tundra? Tundra Biomes www.worldbiomes.com /biomes _tundra. htm Walker, Tom Caribou: Wanderer of the Tundra Portland, OR: Graphic Arts Center Publishing... Lapland longspun a common tundra bird, builds its nest under clumps of grass Tundras are regions in the coldest places on Earth There are two types of tundra Arctic tundra is found mainly in