Hobbies And Interests
Geographic Area
Two types of tundras exist, Arctic and alpine. Arctic tundra is located in the Northern Hemisphere around the Arctic Circle, which is the region between 60 and 75 degrees latitude, which are the vertical lines on maps to distinguish location. The alpine tundra occurs at the tops of high mountains throughout the world. In Colorado, for example, the tundra climate starts at 11,200 to 12,000 feet above sea level, depending on the latitude and mountain slope.
Temperature
The average winter temperatures in the tundra are -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average summer temperatures are 37 to 54 degrees. Nighttime summer temperatures are always freezing in a tundra climate. Some wind speeds can be up to 100 mph, especially in alpine tundras. The yearly rainfall varies from location to location, but it is typically 6 to 10 inches a year, which includes snow melt. The tundra also has permafrost, which is subsoil that is permanently frozen.
Low Biodiversity
Tundras are known for little biodiversity. Few animals and plants survive in these conditions. Only about 1,700 kinds of plants live in the Arctic and subarctic regions. They include grasses, low shrubs, 400 varieties of flowers and lichen. Many plants cannot survive in the high winds and accompanying soil disturbances. Animals in the tundra include voles, caribou, wolves and polar bears. The Arctic bumblebee and flies are insects in the tundra, and salmon and trout are found in tundra climate. All animals have adapted to long, cold winters and short summers. Reptiles and amphibians, who need warmth and sunshine, are rare in the tundra.
Short Growing Season
Winters are long, with nearly 24 hours of nighttime, while the nearly 24 hours of sunshine in the summers create an intense growing season for plants. The growing season lasts 50 to 60 days out of the year. During this time, migratory animals such as the caribou feed on the growing plants. All the animals that live in the tundra give birth to coincide with the intense but short growing season. Rainfall during the summer does not permeate through the permafrost, so bogs form on the surface.