TUNDRA ECOSYSTEM

As the term implies, an ecosystem is a place where both living and nonliving things interact with one another and their surrounding environment. It is also referred to as the structural and functional unit of ecology in certain circles.

An English botanist named A.G. Tansley was the first to use the term “Ecosystem” when he published his work in 1935.

There are two sorts of ecosystems: terrestrial and aquatic.

• Terrestrial Ecosystem is a type of ecosystem that occurs on land.
• Aquatic Ecosystems are a type of ecosystem that exists in bodies of water.

Essentially, all terrestrial ecosystems are found on land, whereas the ecosystems found in water bodies, such as the ocean, sea, rivers, ponds and lakes, are classified as aquatic ecosystems, which include the ocean, sea, rivers, ponds and lakes, and the ocean.

These ecosystems are further subdivided into distinct types of ecosystems based on the diverse geological zones in which they occur. The terrestrial ecosystem is subdivided into the following categories:

• Ecosystems of the Sahara Desert
• Forest Ecosystems are a type of ecosystem that occurs in forests.
• Ecosystems of the Tundra
• Ecosystems of Grasslands.

What is the Tundra Ecosystem and why is it important?

The tundra habitats are defined as those that are devoid of trees and are covered with snow for the most of the time of the year. Typically, these types of ecosystems can be found in cold climates and in areas with little or no rainfall, as well as in desert regions. The tundra ecosystem can be found in places like the Arctic and Antarctica.

Tundra environments are found in the Arctic and the Alps, respectively. Arctic tundra is colder than alpine tundra, which is why it’s called the “arctic tundra.”

At lower elevations, this sort of habitat can be found, and it is characterised by harsh cold environmental conditions that are similar to those seen in deserts. The soil in these locations remains frozen throughout the year, and during the summer months, the snow-covered ground melts, resulting in the formation of shallow ponds. Small plants with flowers and other forms of lichens can only be found in small quantities in these places, which are often devoid of trees and perpetually blanketed in snow.

Tundra Ecosystems Have Specific Characteristics

1. This environment is typically characterised by a lengthy, cold winter and a short, scorching summer.

1. The tundra habitat is characterised by strong winds, high humidity, and little rainfall.

1. During the night, the temperature in these places drops below the freezing point. During the day, the temperature is still conducive to the development of plant life.

1. Phosphorus and nitrogen are the two most abundant nutrients in these environments. 

1. Generally, phosphorus is created through precipitation, whereas nitrogen is produced through a biological process in these environments.

1. Tundra Ecosystems Support a Wide Range of Animals

1. Tundra is the coldest location of all the biomes, and the creatures that live there include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, among other species. A few of the most notable creatures in the tundra ecosystem include: the wolf and other fox-like animals; the hare; the collembola; the muskox; the reindeer; the marmot; the mountain goat; sheep; elk; and several species of worms, flies, butterflies and other natural insects.

Tundra Ecosystems Support a Variety of Plants

Herbs, mosses, and lichens are some of the forms of sparse flora that can be found in these areas. Among the other plants are:

Sedge.

Rushes.

Birches.

Crustose.

Cottongrass.

Dwarf heath is a type of heath that grows on dwarf trees.

Shrubs that grow in the heath.

Willows that are only a few feet tall.

Sedges that grow in dry areas.

Sphagnum moss is a type of moss.

CONCLUSION:

From the following article we can conclude that Known as tundra ecosystems, these treeless environments can be found in the Arctic and on mountain summits, where the climate is cold, windy, and rainy, and where there is no vegetation. Summer brings bursts of wildflowers to tundra regions, which are otherwise blanketed in snow for the most of the year.