Description of Abiotic Factors on the Tundra

Types

• There are two types of tundra biome: arctic tundra and alpine tundra. Alpine tundra is found on high mountaintops, while arctic tundra covers nearly 20 percent of Earth's land area in the far northern extreme of the globe. While both are similar in many respects, there are some important differences. Alpine tundras have similar vegetation but enjoy a longer growing season and better-drained soil than arctic tundra.

Features

• Tundra is the coldest biome. The growing seasons are short and limited largely to the summer months; during the winter the land is covered with ice and snow and temperatures may drop to minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit or below. In an average year, arctic tundra generally receives from 7 to 24 inches of precipitation, while alpine tundra often receives a generous 40 inches or more.

Function

• The combination of high wind speed and low temperature makes tundra inhospitable to most of the plants and animals found in more temperate climes; plants and animals that live in the tundra have special adaptations to cope with the abiotic factors. In arctic tundra, a layer of soil beneath the surface remains permanently frozen and never thaws; this layer is called permafrost. Accumulation of water in the surface layers can form bogs and marshes that harbor a variety of plants. Arctic tundra suffers from the additional disadvantage that it receives less light, so plants must adapt to lower light intensities to thrive.