Tundra & Coniferous Biomes

Tundra & Coniferous Biomes....

Arctic Tundra...

Arctic Tundra Biome....

  •  60° N latitude and above
  •  Influenced by polar cells

Alpine Tundra Biome....

Located in mountainous areas, above tree line with well- drained soil

Arctic Tundra

  •  Frozen, treeless plains
  •  Low rainfall
  •  Little humus in soil, few

nutrients due to low vegetation & little decomposition

 Growing season lasts ~2 months

Arctic Tundra

  •  Soil has few nutrients due to low vegetation & little decomposition
  •  Permafrost is permanently frozen ground & barrier for roots

Antarctica...

  •  Area surrounding the south pole
  •  Rainfall less than 2 inches (5 cm) per year
  •  Considered to be a desert!

Tundra Flora Adaptations...

  •  Polar grassland plants are adapted to grow in:
  •  Low sunlight
  •  Low amounts of free water

 High winds & low temperatures

 Primarily summer months

Tundra Flora Adaptations...

  •  Leaves on plants have a waxy outer coating
  •  Many plants survive winter as roots, stems, bulbs or tubers

 Lichens dehyrdrate during winter to avoid frost damage

Tundra Fauna Adaptations...

  •  Have extra layers of fat
  •  Chemicals in the blood keep it from freezing
  •  Have compact bodies to conserve heat (Marmot)

Tundra Fauna

Marmots....Extra fat, Thick Skin, Thick Fur

Tundra Fauna Adapta5ons...

Have thick skin, thick fur

waterproof feathers above downy insulating feathers (penguins)

Tundra Migrations

Fauna Adaptations...

Animals migrate during coldest months (birds/killer whales)

-or-

Live underground (lemmings)

Biomes...Grasslands to Tundra

(Taiga) Coniferous Biome

Coniferous Forests...

  •  More precipitation than tundra
  •  Soil poor in nutrients, acidic due to decomposition of needles
  •  Acidic soil prevents competing species from surviving

Tundra & Taiga Food Chain

Coniferous Flora...

  •  Dense stands of small trees cause understory to be low in light
  •  Small, waxy-coated needles adapted to withstand cold & drought of winter; low surface area reduces transpiration
  •  Fires & insect infestations can affect flora!

(Taiga) Coniferous Biome...

  •  Usually found between 45 & 60° N latitude
  •  Occupies ~17% of land surface
  •  Forests of cold climates of high altitudes & latitudes
  •  Could be open woodland & dense forest

Rock Creek Lake, Eastern Sierras

Notice the U-shaped Valley

(Taiga) Coniferous Fauna...

Low biodiversity due to harshness of the environment

Adaption of one lemming

© lbranch 2013