BIOTIC FACTORS IN THE TUNDRA
Biodiversity is extremely limited in this biome, due to its climate and weather conditions. Only 1,700 species of vascular plants and only 48 species of land mammals can be found, although millions of birds migrate there each year for the marshes. There are also a few fish species such as the flatfish. The species richness is quite low, but the relative abundance is notably high.
- Growth and Reproduction periods are low: Summer periods are short and limited, in turn affecting the growth and reproduction of organisms.
- Plain vegetation structure: Shrubs, mosses, lichens are the primary vegetation base.
- Energy and nutrients exist in the form of dead organic material: Limited sunlight and slower biogeochemical cycles make plants dependent on nutrients produced by decomposers through dead organic material.
- Large Population Oscillations: Large fluctuations in populations occur over a long period of time.