How Do Plants and Animals Survive in the Tundra?
Structure and functional units of ecology are termed ecosystem. It is a surrounding where all living organisms interact with each other and their surrounding environment. It can also be defined as a chain of interaction between organisms and their environment.
A.G. Tansley (English botanist) was the one who coined the term ‘ecosystem’ in 1935. Ecosystem consists of both living and nonliving components and both of them interact with each other to maintain equality in the chain.
Types of Ecosystem
The size of the ecosystem can differ from place to place - it may be as small as an oasis of a desert or it may be as large as a big ocean. So on this basis, we can categorise ecosystems into two types, they are terrestrial ecosystems or aquatic ecosystems. Furth both of these terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are divided into different types based on their surrounding.
Based on different geological zones terrestrial ecosystem is divided into various types, they are:
A. Forest Ecosystems
B. Grassland Ecosystems
C. Tundra Ecosystems
D. Desert Ecosystem
Tundra Ecosystem
In this type of ecosystem, they are free from trees as it is covered by snow for most of the year. These ecosystems are mainly present in those areas where there is a cold climate and very limited or no rainfall. One of the common regions where tundra ecosystems are found is the polar regions.
There are two types of tundra ecosystems, they are discussed below:
A. Arctic:
This tundra is mainly located in the northern hemisphere, encircling the north pole and extending towards the south. This tundra is known for its cold and desert-like conditions. In this region temperatures during winters are about 3-120 C during day time and -340 C during night time. This temperature enables biomes to sustain in this condition. Approx 1,700 kinds of plants are found in the arctic region with good adapting capability. Some of the common plants are low shrubs, sedges, reindeer mosses, liverworts, and grasses; 400 varieties of flowers example: crustose and foliose lichen.
B. Alpine:
They are mainly located in mountainous areas throughout the world and in this area trees can not be grown. In this area, the temperature is below the freezing point during nighttime. The soil of this region is well-drained. Some of the plants which are present in this tundra region are tussock, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs, heaths, etc. Animals in this region have high adapting capabilities. Examples of mammals that are mainly found for this reason are pikas, marmots, mountain goats, sheep, elk : Birds: grouse like birds.
Distribution of Tundra Ecosystem
10 percent of the total earth surface is covered by tundra ecosystems. From the southern boundary, there is a start of the arctic tundra which goes through the northern edge of the coniferous forest belt, whereas the alpine tundra is mainly found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Features of Tundra Ecosystem
Some of the common and well-known features of the tundra ecosystem are discussed below:
A. The Tundra ecosystem mainly has a long cold winter and a very short hot summer, that is
why they are known for winters.
B. This ecosystem mainly has winds with high humidity and less amount of rainfall.
C. Some of the common nutrients present in this reason are nitrogen and phosphorus. Production of phosphorus is mainly by a precipitation process, whereas a biochemical process produces nitrogen.
D. At night time temperature in this region is below the freezing point whereas in day time it is a little bit normal which provides favourable conditions for plant growth.
Plants Found in Tundra Region
Some of the known plants which are found in this region are:
Cottongrass
Dwarf heath
Sedge
Rushes
Dryland sedges
Sphagnum moss
Birches
Crustose
Heath shrubs
Dwarf willows
Animals Found in Tundra Region
In this region, all kinds of animals are found like omnivores, carnivores, herbivores. Some of the common examples of animals found in this region are:
Wolf, foxes, hare, collembolans, muskox, reindeer, marmots, mountain goats, sheep, elk and other different types of worms, flies, butterflies, wild insects.
FAQs on Tundra Ecosystem: Meaning, Types, and Key Features
1. What exactly is a Tundra ecosystem?
A Tundra ecosystem is a vast, treeless biome characterised by its frost-moulded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, and short growing seasons. A defining feature is permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen subsoil. This ecosystem has low precipitation but is often wet because the permafrost prevents water from draining away. It consists of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interacting with each other.
2. What are the key characteristics of a Tundra ecosystem?
The Tundra ecosystem is defined by several unique characteristics that allow life to survive in its harsh conditions. Key features include:
- Permafrost: A permanently frozen layer of soil, rock, and organic matter that prevents deep root growth and water drainage.
- Low Temperatures: Long, cold winters and short, cool summers with average temperatures often below freezing.
- Short Growing Season: Ranging from just 50 to 60 days, limiting plant growth.
- Low Biodiversity: Fewer species of plants and animals compared to other biomes due to the extreme conditions.
- Simple Vegetation Structure: Dominated by low-lying plants like mosses, lichens, sedges, and dwarf shrubs; trees are absent.
3. What are the main types of Tundra, and how do they differ?
The Tundra biome is primarily classified into three types based on its geographic location:
- Arctic Tundra: Located in the northern hemisphere, encircling the North Pole. It is characterised by classic permafrost and is home to animals like caribou and arctic foxes.
- Antarctic Tundra: Found on the Antarctic continent and its surrounding islands. It is much colder and drier than its Arctic counterpart, with very limited plant life, mostly lichens and mosses.
- Alpine Tundra: Found at high altitudes on mountains worldwide, above the treeline. Unlike the polar tundras, the soil in Alpine Tundra is generally well-drained and lacks deep permafrost.
4. What kind of plants and animals are adapted to survive in the Tundra?
Organisms in the Tundra have remarkable adaptations. Plants like Arctic moss, lichens, and dwarf willows grow low to the ground to avoid harsh winds and retain warmth. Many have hairy stems for insulation. Animals such as the Arctic fox, snowy owl, and ptarmigan have white coats for camouflage in the snow. Others, like caribou and musk oxen, have thick fur and layers of fat for insulation, while smaller mammals like lemmings burrow underground to escape the cold.
5. Why are there no tall trees in the Tundra ecosystem?
The absence of tall trees in the Tundra is a result of a combination of limiting factors. The primary reason is the presence of permafrost, which prevents tree roots from penetrating deep into the soil for anchorage and nutrients. Additionally, the extremely short growing season does not provide enough time for a tree to grow to a significant height. Finally, strong, persistent winds can damage or kill tall, exposed plants through a process called desiccation (drying out).
6. How does the food web in the Tundra ecosystem differ from that of a forest?
The Tundra food web is significantly simpler and more fragile than a forest food web. Due to low biodiversity, there are fewer species at each trophic level. Producers are limited to mosses, lichens, and shrubs, unlike the towering trees in a forest. This supports a smaller range of primary consumers (like lemmings, caribou) and predators (like arctic foxes, wolves). This simplicity means that a decline in one species, such as lemmings, can have a drastic impact on the entire food web, making it less resilient than the complex, multi-layered food web of a forest.
7. What is the role of permafrost, and what happens if it melts?
Permafrost plays a crucial role in the Tundra ecosystem. It acts as an impermeable layer, preventing water from draining and thus creating the wetlands and bogs characteristic of the Arctic Tundra in summer. Critically, it also stores vast amounts of carbon from undecayed organic matter. If the permafrost melts due to climate change, it would release huge quantities of trapped greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming. It would also lead to soil instability and dramatically alter the landscape and the life it supports.
8. Can an Alpine Tundra ecosystem be found in India?
Yes, an Alpine Tundra ecosystem exists in India. It is found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayan mountains, specifically above the natural treeline (approximately 3,600 to 4,000 meters). Unlike Arctic Tundra, which is defined by high latitude, the Himalayan Alpine Tundra is a result of high altitude. It is characterised by low-growing cushion plants, grasses, and shrubs adapted to cold, windy conditions and intense solar radiation.
