Climate: The tundra stretches from the northern edge of the taifa belt (coniferous forests) to the ice and snow surrounding the North Pole. It is one of the world’s smallest climateic zones. For most of the year, the mean monthly temperature is below frezzing. The winters are long and severe, although some areas have only light snow cover. Summers are short, the temperatures just above freezing.

At Point Barrow in northern Alaska the sun us not visible for two months in midwinter, buts it shines non stop for about two months in midsummer. Icy winds blow constantly. This harsh climate limits tundra vegetation mainly to lichens. They grow on rocks and permafrost ground, breaking down the surface and creating soil. This gives other plants and shrubs a meager place to grow.

Special Features of the Rundra: Pingos are domes tht develop when shallow tundra ponds or lakes dry up. Permafrost moves in under the bed and forces the soil up. Polygons are geometic ground designs that result and repeated expansion and contraction of tundra soil as it freezes and thaws. A common feature is the frost mound covered by meadow grasses.

Permafrost occurs where subsoil remains frozen all year. If the insulating layer of vegetation is damaged, permafrost ground is exposed and begins to thaw, seriously upsetting the ecology of the tundra’s surface. Eskers are low ridges of sand, silt, gravel, and other glacial debris left behind by extinct rivers. Eskers provide some priotective shelter for foxes and wolves.

The wolf’s white fur provides warmth and camouflage. The Arctic hare’s white coat is a mixed blessing: perfect camouflage in winter, conspicuous in summer. Lemmings tunnel under the snow to find food. Snowy owls nest on the ground. The feed mainly on lemmings.

A musk ox can live on about one sixth of the fodder (feed) needed to feed a cow.
Each year the Arctic tern migrates from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic and back again: a 21,750-mile round trip.

Land Animals: Polar bear, musk ox, Arctic fox, hare, ground squirrel, wolverine, weasel, and lemming.

To return to animal menu click here