TUNDRA

CHARACTERISTICS

• Extremely Cold-Coldest of all Biomes
• Low Biotic Diversity
• Simple Vegetation Structure
• Limitation of Drainage
• Short Season of Growth and Reproduction
• Energy and Nutrients in the form of DEAD ORGANIC MATERIAL
• Large Population Oscillations*                                                                  OCILLATION=variations in time

LOCATION

• In the Northern Hemisphere, encircling the North Pole and extending South to the coniferious forests of the Taiga

ORGANISMS

• No Deep Rooted Plants
• 1700 kinds of plants-low shrubs, hedges, reindeer moss 

• Herbivores-lemmings, voles, caribou, arctic hares, and squirrels
• Carnivores-arctic foxes, wolves, polar bears
• Birds-ravens, falcons, loons, sandpipes
• Insects-mosquitos, grasshoppers, flies, moth

ADAPTATIONS

• Fur Coats-handle long harsh winters
• Breed and raise young quickly in summer
• Additional Fat Layers-For Insulation