Vegetation
This arctic biome is covered with low-growing plants, consisting mostly of grasses, mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs. It is nearly impossible for taller plants and trees to survive here because they would lose too much of their heat in the cold wind. The arctic tundra's plants grow during the 8 week long summer, which is when the sun shines almost constantly. A survival adaptation of plants is their cool growing temperature. Plants in the arctic tundra can grow at temperatures 15ºC to 20ºC (27ºF to 36ºF), cooler than any other plants in the world.
Arctic Moss Arctic Willow
Species: Giganteum Species: Arctica
Bearberry Caribou Moss
Species: Uva-Ursi Species: Rengiferina
Animal Life
Animals living in the arctic tundra survive the intensity of this cold biome because of adaptations like thick, fur coats and feathers, underground living.
Arctic Fox- "Aloplex Lagopus"
The Arctic Fox can be found in parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland Scandinavia, and Alaska. It is a secondary consumer and preys on small mammals such as birds and rodents. They will even eat the remains of dead animals left over from Polar Bears. Sometimes the Arctic Fox will eat certain types of berries, too. Its predators are the Arctic Wolf and the Polar Bear. It lives in dens in the arctic tundra built in hillsides or near river banks.
Caribou- "Rangifer tarandus"- Reindeer
The Caribou can be found in parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. It is a primary consumer and only feeds on many plants like willow leaves during the summer, and will dig with their hooves through the snow to eat moss and lichens during the colder months. Caribou are migratory animals that travel southward to avoid the harsher temperatures and in search of food. Their thick fur and wide hooves are adaptations that allow them to survive the frigid weather. Their main predator is the Arctic Wolf.
Net Primary Productivity and Biodiversity
The tundra biome produces only 600 Kilocalories/square meter/year, which is much lower than the other biomes, except for the Desert which produces less than 200.
The Arctic and Alpine Tundra consist of freezing temperatures and inadequate soil nutrients that limit the biodiversity of plants and animals. In this biome, there is less biodiversity than that of the Tropical Rainforest or other biomes that have warmer temperatures and nutrient rich soil.
The Arctic and Alpine Tundra consist of freezing temperatures and inadequate soil nutrients that limit the biodiversity of plants and animals. In this biome, there is less biodiversity than that of the Tropical Rainforest or other biomes that have warmer temperatures and nutrient rich soil.