The Tundra is one of the planet's ecosystems where animal and plant diversity coexist in an environment characterized by a very cold climate and soil with few nutrients. In this article you will especially learn about the characteristics of the Tundra Flora, so we invite you to continue reading.
Characteristics of the Tundra Flora
Tundra ecosystems are full of extremes. Summer temperatures range from 3 to 16 degrees Celsius, although the average annual temperature is -28°C. Winds can sweep across the landscape at 97 kilometers per hour. These factors, along with the short growing season (usually 50-60 days) mean that living in a tundra climate is difficult and challenging. Fortunately, adaptations in the tundra flora have allowed several species to survive in this environment. There are more than 1.700 species of tundra plants. Next, we will indicate some examples of the Flora of the Tundra.
Moss
Mosses are part of the tundra flora, non-vascular, and carriers of spores that help break down the soil and release nutrients to surrounding plants. In this ecosystem, moss acts as an insulating top layer, protecting the permafrost (permanently frozen ground) below from warm air that could lead to thawing. The composition of plant life in the tundra often depends on the drainage of the soil.
It should be noted that this kind of tundra flora can be located very easily and frequently in large areas of low relief, where swampy peat soils are found and water remains close to the surface of the earth. In turn, it can be mentioned that they have the interesting quality of remaining inactive for months, or even years, absorbing moisture like a sponge when it becomes available again.
Grasses or Herbs
Another integral species of the tundra flora that can be mentioned, are the grasses. Most of them are found in the high places of the ecosystem, where there is dry gravel along rivers and in flat, marshy areas. Grasses can easily be confused with a similar plant known as sedge. The stem of a grass is round, while the stem of a sedge is shaped like a triangle in cross section. An easy way to tell the difference in the field is to remember the phrase "reeds have edges."
Flores
The flowers that make up the great cluster of species of tundra flora are often small and rise only a few centimeters from the ground. It can be said that many are known as "cushion plants" because their development takes place in dense mats to protect themselves from low temperatures and wind. Although small relative to the rest of the plant, the flowers are large and colorful. More than 400 types of flowers can be found in the tundra.
When taking into consideration the flowers that belong to the flora of the tundra, it is necessary to highlight the various types of fruits that come out of them. In most cases these are presented in the form of berries after successful flowering and pollination of the plants. Among the fruits that usually throw these flowers of the arctic circle are: blackberries, blueberries, bear grapes or bearberries, among others. In addition, it should be noted that they are the main source of food for the local fauna when they are abundant in autumn.
Shrubbery
Shrubs are often lower, closer to the tree line than the higher slopes of the alpine tundra. Many shrub species are similar to tree species in warmer regions of the world. They exist in the cooler environment of the tundra as shrubs, which means they need fewer nutrients to survive and are lower to the ground for protection from strong winds. Among the species of tundra flora that stand out in this category, this: Dwarf birch, balsam poplar and willows.
Tundra Flora Adaptability
Many tundra flora plants are perennial, meaning they save energy and nutrients for multiple growing seasons before flowering. For one thing, willows have tissue around their flowers that can raise the temperature near the flower 5°F to 15°F higher than air temperature. And for another, the well-known plant called Labrador tea keeps its leaves at the end of summer instead of letting them fall to the ground, which helps keep it protected from the wind.
In turn, the arctic poppy and arctic dryad can rotate their flower heads to follow the sun throughout the day, giving the plants additional heat and energy. Knowing these details, it can be said that the flora of the tundra has evolved over time to survive a cold winter, a short growing season and strong winds. Although the tundra may appear barren at first glance, it is filled with a vibrant plant community, many of which have survived here for thousands of years.
Climate, Soil and Fauna of the Tundra
Already knowing everything related to the flora of the tundra, from what types of plants are found, to understanding its powerful adaptability to that type of extreme climate. It is necessary to point out other points that can complement the information in this article, since the flora is not the only element of this ecosystem, there is the fauna, the climate, the soil, which interact with it. In addition, the different types of tundras should also be noted.
Climate
The tundra has no more than two seasons per year, with winter being the longest. Its temperatures can reach an average of 5º C in the hot months and below -20º C in the cold months. In general, it is characterized by extremely cold weather and very strong winds. Although its rains are scarce, it is not a dry climate due to the low temperatures of the territorial areas where this biome is located. This, in combination with its frozen subsoil, produces a type of wet biome.
Land
The ground surface is permanently frozen. This phenomenon is called permafrost. Freezing can be more or less deep depending on the air temperature. Tundra soils are typically gleys, a layer of water-soaked earth rich in iron, giving it a greenish-gray color. This means that although the soil contains a large amount of water, it is not always available for consumption by plants and animals. On the other hand, the inorganic content of the soil makes it less fertile.
Fauna
Another of the elements related to the flora of the tundra, are the animals that inhabit it and despite its apparent desolation, it has some impressive mammals. Caribou, more commonly called reindeer in the Old World, inhabit North American and Eurasian tundras, with many mainland populations migrating between tundra calving grounds and boreal forest wintering grounds. On the other hand, we have the musk oxen, which were found prehistorically on both continents, but only remain in Asia and are the largest herbivores native to the tundra.
On the other hand, the incredible carnivorous animals that inhabit this terrestrial biome should also be highlighted. The main fauna of this group is made up of polar bears, which are located in the coastal zone to take refuge, however, the rest of the year they are in the northernmost areas of the globe and on the high seas to get their prey. Another of the bears that can be seen in this place are the brown ones. The latter are more frequent in Canada and Alaska.
Types of Tundra
In the ecosystem that the Tundra presents, where one of its characteristics is the scarce vegetation, three types of Tundra are distinguished, which we describe below:
arctic tundra: it is found in the northern hemisphere, in much of Canada and Alaska below the Arctic ice caps. In particular, the arctic tundra has temperatures sometimes below -70°, so trees are not common, but it is possible to see a variety of tundra flora, such as grass and foam. In turn, it is possible to find more animals, because the richness of the soil is greater than that of the alpine tundra. It should also be noted that the height of this tundra has less oxygen in the air, which slows down the proliferation of local fauna.
alpine tundra: They are located mainly in the mountainous areas of any point on Earth, in addition, for some experts or individuals, this class may be known by the name of taiga. It should be noted that, due to the slope of the mountain on which the alpine tundra is located, it has good drainage, so the subsoil does not freeze, unlike the arctic tundra. Here temperatures range between 5°C and 7°C in summer and -40°C in winter.
Antarctic Tundra: this ecosystem is found only on South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. There you can find lichens, liverworts, species of terrestrial and aquatic algae. Specifically, you can find two types of plants: the Antarctic grass and the Antarctic caterpillar. Unlike the arctic tundra, mammals are lacking here. This is because said continent and the islands are distant from the other continents.
If you liked this article about the flora of the tundra and want to learn more about other interesting topics, you can check the following links: