Tundra Biome

About 10% of the surface of the earth is captured roughly by this Tundra biome. The belt of the coniferous forest’s northern edge is followed considerably by the Arctic Tundras southern limit. It is recognized for low vegetation’s patchy mantles, the bare ground’s large stretches and rocks. It includes a lot of low vegetation like herbs, mosses, small shrubs and lichens. This biome also has a variety of different animals.   

Definition of tundra biome

The treeless reaches of the north is called the Tunturi by the Finns and the special realm of ecology is called Tundra by the plain concept of vast frozen. The Russians developed this concept. The shape of the tundra is the ground’s thawing and alternate freezing that is one of the most constant factors of this biome. Tundra is set by the cycle of freeze-thaw into two ecosystems are evergreen Taiga and polar barrens. Another important feature of the Tundra of the Arctic is the frozen ground of the permafrost though this is not happening in the regions of alpine. Alpine Tundra has existed on the high mountains where trees may not survive and grow faster for its natural features. About 180 days is taken by its growing season. At night, the temperature becomes too low and makes a condition of freezing. It is the coldest biome among all other biomes. From the word Tunturi, it has come which means treeless plain.

Some of the effective features of this biome are poor nutrients, low temperature, growing seasons shortly and little participation. Dead organic components act as the nutrients in this field. Among them, two nutrients exist that are phosphorus and nitrogen. Participation creates phosphorus and biological fixation creates nitrogen. These are the two major sources of nutrients. Besides the above-mentioned features of this biome, some are the diversity of low biotic, very cold climate, a structure of simple vegetation, drainage limitation, short season of reproduction and growth, nutrients and energy in dead organic components from and the oscillation of large populations.      

Distribution of flora and fauna

The Tundra biome’s global extent roughly accounts for the earth’s surface’s 10% considerably. Above 60o N latitude, this line exists in North America and above 70oN latitude, this line lies in Eurasia but not in eastern Siberia. Eurasia’s forest of the northward bulge has resulted in the hotter summer over the contiguous landmass largely. Earth’s land’s 3% is covered by the Alpine tundra. This is found in the hemisphere of the northern region. Generally, in mountain regions, this habitat may be found worldwide. In this habitat, wind flows too strongly and the temperature is low which is most suitable for tree growth in this region. The elevation in the Alpine tundra is larger in front of the Equator than the poles. Similar to the arctic plants are included in this area such as Dwarf trees, tussock grass and small-leafed shrubs. Some mammals of this region are mountain goats, pikas, elk, marmots and sheep. Besides these mammals, some birds and insects of this region are grouslike birds, butterflies, springtails, grasshoppers and beetles.   

Environmental condition

Climate: During the winter, the temperature of this biome fluctuates between 4o C to 32o C. The Alpine Tundra exists more moderately. In the summer, the temperature lies between 3oC to 12o C. In winter, temperature goes below significantly at -18o C. Arctic Tundra possesses a lower summer and a lower winter temperature than other biomes like Taiga. Tundra in the coastal region is foggier and cooler than other islands. In this region, large evaporation exists and therefore, early fall and late summer take place. This region contains sufficient water that causes more evaporation in this field.

Soil: One of the most important features is its permafrost in the Arctic tundra. This extends about 350 to 360 meters depth that is about 1150- 2100 feet. In Siberia’s unglaciated areas, about 1450 meters depth, this permafrost can reach. Water flow’s movement towards the down is retarded by this permafrost’s presence. For this existence, the Tundra of the Arctic becomes boggy and saturated during the thaw of summer. The ground becomes frozen in the winter season and converts into an ice lens. This structure creates a snow hill that is called Pingo. In comparison to this region, the Alpine tundra is existing in a dry condition. For a lack of steep topography and permafrost layer continuously, fast drainage is taking place in this region. This does not happen where the topography is flattened outer to the region.

Conclusion

The Tundra is one of the coldest biomes among all biomes. It is generally recognized for its poor nutrients, low vegetation due to lack of nutrients, little participation and growing seasons shortly. In this biome area, generally, two types of nutrients are found are phosphorus and nitrogens with limited sources. The main source of these nutrients is dead organic components. Mostly, biological fixation creates nitrogens and participation creates phosphorus which are the main nutrients of this biome area. It is also known for its some unique features such as drainage limitation, cold climate extremely, diversity of the biotic is very low, and a short season of reproduction and growth. For these unique features, this biome stands as different.