What are biomes and ecosystems?
A biome is a complex biotic community characterized by distinctive plant and animal species and maintained under the climatic conditions of the region, especially such a community that has developed to climax. Within the biomes, there are ecosystems, formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment.
What is a Tundra?
The tundra is the coldest biome of all the known biomes in our planet Earth. It is usually a treeless, barren region with permafrost as its subsoil. It is also the least biologically diverse biome, due to its harsh living conditions. Growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands", "treeless mountain tract". The ecotone (or ecological boundary region) between the tundra and the Taiga forests is known as the tree line or timberline.
There are three types of Tundras:
There are three types of Tundras:
Arctic Tundra
Arctic tundra occurs in the far Northern Hemisphere, north of the taiga belt. The subsoil is permanently frozen (permafrost). During the summer, the Arctic tundra is characterized by lots of surface water. When snow melts, the water sinks in through the active layer but is unable to penetrate the permafrost. Since the water has nowhere to go, the active layer becomes saturated and pools of water form on the surface. |
Antarctic Tundra
Antarctic tundra occurs on Antarctica and on several Antarctic and subantarctic islands. Most of Antarctica is too cold and dry to support vegetation, but some portions have areas of rocky soil that support plant life. In contrast with the Arctic tundra, the Antarctic tundra lacks a large mammal fauna, mostly due to its physical isolation from the other continents. |
Alpine Tundra
Alpine tundra occurs in mountains worldwide. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra in that alpine tundra typically does not have permafrost, soils are generally better drained. Alpine tundra occurs in mountains worldwide. The flora of the alpine tundra is characterized by dwarf shrubs close to the ground. |
Of the three, the Alpine Tundra is most suitable for tourism and adventures. Large regions of alpine tundra occur in the Himalayas in Asia, American Cordillera in North and South America, the Alps, the Scandinavian mountains and Pyrenees of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains, the Rift Mountains of Africa, and a large portion of the Tibetan Plateau.
Where is it found?
The tundra is located in the northern hemisphere of the globe. It is located at the "top of the world". It is usually found in the Arctic regions and on the tops of mountains. Also it is located in the arctic circle. The latitudes of which the tundra is located is 55 degrees-75 degrees N.