Notes on Tundra Region Lecture

Introduction

• Winter migration of bears to Tundra
• Introduction to Tundra as a biome

Understanding Biomes

• Biomes are large communities of flora and fauna in distinct habitats
• Tundra is one such biome, characterized by specific environmental conditions

Identifying Tundra Regions

• Name Origin: Tundra comes from Finnish word "Tantaria" meaning "treeless plain"
• Climate:
  • Long, extreme winters with dark, freezing temperatures
  • Short summers that are not significantly warmer
• Types of Tundra:
  • Alpine Tundra:
    • Covers ~3% of Earth's land
    • Found at high elevations, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere
  • Arctic Tundra:
    • Located in polar regions, covering ~20% of Earth's surface
    • Hosts diverse organisms with adaptations to survive harsh conditions

Adaptation in Tundra

• Adaptation is crucial for survival in extreme environments
• Vegetation:
  • Permafrost prevents tree growth; vegetation is low and patchy
  • Common plants: grasses, mosses, lichens; adapted to cold conditions
• Animals:
  • Example species: polar bears, snow geese, caribou (reindeer)
  • Adaptations include:
    • Fat storage for insulation
    • Thick fur coats
    • Hibernation during winter

Seasonal Changes

• Summer in Tundra:
  • Lasts 6 to 10 weeks
  • 24-hour sunlight, known as the "land of the midnight sun"

Threats to the Tundra

• Human activities (e.g., oil drilling) threaten the tundra ecosystem
• Climate Change:
  • Warming temperatures may disrupt tundra biome
  • Melting permafrost releases greenhouse gases, further accelerating global warming
  • Importance of limiting human encroachment to preserve the tundra

Unique Adaptations

• Tundra insects (e.g., mosquitoes) have antifreeze compounds in bodily fluids
• Animals have physical traits such as small ears and tails to retain heat, and large feet for walking on snow

Conclusion

• Importance of learning and understanding the Tundra region
• Encouragement to limit human impact to protect this biome
• Sign-off by Dr. Binox