BIOME FACT SHEET Tundra Lies south of the ice caps of the arctic and extend across North America, Europe and Siberia. Characterized by a low average temperature and a short growing season (60 days), ground completely frozen during the winters. During the growing season only the top layer thaws, lower layers remain permanently frozen and are referred to as permafrost. Average precipitation is about 10 to 12 cm per year. Vegetation is limited to lichens, mosses, grasses, sedges and shrubs. Animals include reindeer, musk oxen, caribou, wolves, arctic hares, arctic foxes, lemmings, and snowy owls. Interesting Tundra Biome Facts: The word tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturia which means treeless land. Animal populations fluctuate throughout the seasons in the tundra biome. Some animals opt to hibernate during the winter and others migrate to warmer temperatures. Because of the extreme temperatures, most organisms get their nutrients from the decaying of dead organic material. Although some parts of inhabited areas such as in Alaska and Canada are considered a part of the tundra biome, the majority of the tundra have not been visited by most people because of the harsh conditions. The tundra biome is considered a carbon dioxide sink because it stores more carbon dioxide than it gives off. There are very few trees that grow in the tundra biome. Under the snow and ice, there is a thick layer of soil that remains frozen which does not allow deep rooted plants such as trees to grow. The tundra biome has about 400 varieties of flowers but only 48 different animals. The tundra biome covers about 20% of the Earth. Although Antarctica is not located in the Arctic Circle, it is considered to be a part of the tundra biome because of its very harsh temperatures. The tundra biome is the driest place on Earth. Rainfall averages ten inches a year. During the summer, it is daylight 24 hours a day. There are a lot of oil mines and oil rigs in the tundra biome. The building of such developments often disturbs the sensitive nature of the environment. The largest animal that lives in the tundra biome is the polar bear. They thrive on fatty meats to give them enough energy to live through the harsh winters. There are two types of tundra - arctic tundra and alpine tundra. The arctic tundra is located within the Arctic Circle while the alpine tundra is the area high in the mountains above trees. The plants that grow in the tundra biome often grow in clusters to help protect themselves from the severe winter winds. The Most Remarkable and Captivating Tundras in the World 1.) Scandinavian Tundra This is the Scandinavian Montane Birch forests and grasslands ecoregion, a Palearctic eco-region of the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome, located in the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Norway and Sweden. The Scandinavian Tundra is one of the terrestrial eco-regions determined and defined by the World Wildlife Fund. 2.) Alpine Tundra This captivating landscape is an example of Alpine tundra. It is located in the Swiss Alps. This type of tundra that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. 3.) Aleutian Islands The Aleutian Islands are a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands, forming part of the Aleutian Arc in the Northern Pacific Ocean. Nearly all the archipelago is part of Alaska and usually considered as being in the "Alaskan Bush". 4.) Arctic Coastal Tundra Another beautiful example of tundra is the Arctic Coastal Tundra. This eco-region is located in the far north of North America. The region is an important breeding ground for a great deal of wildlife. 5.) Greenland Tundra Greenland Tundra is located in Sydkapp in Scoresby Sund, East Greenland. The skull on the foreground belongs to Musk Ox. The vegetation on the area is mostly Salix glauca. 6.) Alaska Tundra The Alaska Tundra is a bizarre example of tundra. It is treeless tundra in Alaska, USA. Environmental Concerns The melting of the permafrost as a result of global warming could radically change the landscape and what species are able to live there. Ozone depletion at the North and South Poles means stronger ultraviolet rays that will harm the tundra. Air pollution can cause smog clouds that contaminate lichen, a significant food source for many animals. Exploration of oil, gas, and minerals and construction of pipelines and roads can cause physical disturbances and habitat fragmentation. Oil spills can kill wildlife and significantly damage tundra ecosystems. Buildings and roads put heat and pressure on the permafrost, causing it to melt. Invasive species push aside native vegetation and reduce diversity of plant cover. Taiga Extends across North America, Europe and Asia as a belt of evergreen forests below the tundra. Has a cold winter during which the ground is covered by deep snow. Longer growing season (120 days) than the tundra. Summer days are warmer and ground thaws completely. Average precipitation is between 50 and 100 cm per year. Vegetation is pines, firs, spruce and some deciduous trees such as willow and birch. Animals include moose, wolves, bears, lynx, deer, elk, wolverine, martens, snowshoe hare, porcupine, rodents, birds and insects. Interesting Taiga Biome Facts: Fires are very common in the taiga biome. These fires are necessary to help rid the area of old and sick trees. There is not much variety in plants. Majority of the plants are conifer trees which is why the taiga is referred to as the coniferous forest. The conifer trees in the taiga biome are referred to as evergreen. This means they remain green all year round and never drop their leaves. Because evergreen trees do not drop leaves, there is nothing to keep the soil in the taiga full of nutrients. This is the reason why there is not much variety in the vegetation. Softwood timber is used to make paper. Majority of softwood timber comes from the taiga biome. Although two major cities, Toronto and Moscow, are located in the taiga biome, most of this biome is uninhabited by people. The taiga biome is very cold during the winter. Temperatures can reach as low as -60° F. For six months out of the year, the temperature in the taiga biome is below freezing. Plants can only grow during the summer when temperatures are favorable. This growing season only lasts about three months. Many animals of the taiga biome have to migrate to warmer areas or hibernate during the long, cold winters. Animals of the taiga have many specialized adaptions including lots of thick fur or feathers and the ability to change colors during different seasons. Scientists believe that the taiga biome was completely covered by glaciers many years ago. The taiga forests are endangered due to logging and mining by humans. When trees are cut down in the taiga, it takes a very long time to restore itself because of the very short growing season. Although there are not many animals in the taiga biome, it inhabits millions of insects. Birds migrate there to feed off these insects every year. The temperature change in the taiga is extreme. It is either summer (hot) or winter (cold). The spring and fall are too short to notice. 1.) White Spruce Taiga The Picea Glauca Taiga is located in Denali Highway, Alaska in the United States. Alaska Range is visible in the background. 2.) Russian Taiga The Russian Taiga is located in the river valley near Verkhoyansk, Russia. The tree species in this forested area are among the sturdiest in the world because at 67°N these trees must deal with the coldest winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere. Taigas are safe place for scientific explorations and studies such as the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport which is situated in the taiga. 3.) Yukon Taiga Yukon Taiga is located in Yukon, Canada. Several of the longest rivers in the world go through the taiga such as Lena, Mackenzie, Ob and Yenisei. 4.) Scandinavian and Russian Taiga The Scandinavian and Russian Taiga is an ecoregion is situated in Northern Europe between tundra in the north and temperate mixed forests in the south and occupies about 2,156,900 km² in Finland, Norway and Sweden and the northern part of European Russia. It is the largest eco-region in Europe. 5.) East Siberian Taiga The East Siberian Taiga eco-region is a very large bio-geographic region located in eastern Russia. The above photo depicts the Taiga of Far East near Imeni Poliny Osipenko village, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. 6.) Sweden Taiga Sweden is one of the world's most beautiful country. The Sweden Taiga is characterized by widespread bogs and peatland. The taiga is also home to a unique flora and contains huge deposits of carbon. The above picture was taken in a peat bog in Dalartna, Sweden. 7.) Central Canadian Shield Forests The Central Canadian Shield Forests are a taiga eco-region of Canada that consists of rolling hills, lakes, bogs and rocky outcrops. The area has a cool climate with summer temperatures averaging around 13°C dropping to a very cold -17°C in winter. Environmental concerns Taiga ecosystems are threatened by direct human activity and climate change. Animals of the taiga, such as foxes or bears, have always been hunted. Their warm fur and tough skin, turned into leather, have helped people survive in harsh climates for thousands of years. The most serious threat to taigas does not come from hunting activity, however. Civilization is dependent on sturdy buildings for homes, industry, and schools. The trees of the taiga are cut down for lumber projects, as well as paper, cardboard, and other supplies.