Lecture Notes: The World's Coldest Biomes - Tundra and Ice

Introduction

• The sun's reach is weak at the Earth's poles, resulting in freezing temperatures.
• The two primary cold biomes are the Arctic (tundra) and Antarctic (ice).
• These biomes experience extreme cold due to oblique sunlight angles and minimal solar heating.

Characteristics of Tundra and Ice Biomes

Tundra

• Summer temperatures rarely exceed 10°C, preventing tree growth.
• Only hardy shrubs, herbs, moss, and lichen can grow.
• Found bordering the Arctic Ocean, from North America to Russia.
• Features permafrost: permanently frozen soil layer.
• Short summer growing season of 50-60 days.
• Dominant flora includes lichen, moss, sedges, cotton grass, and low willows.
• Fauna includes polar bears, reindeer, caribou, musk-ox, arctic wolves, hares, foxes, and lemmings.

Ice Biome

• Permanently covered by ice where temperatures never rise above 0°C.
• No plant life due to permanent frost and extensive ice.

Climate Zones and Lifezones

• Overlaps with climate zones named Arctic and Antarctic.
• Holdridge Lifezones chart positions tundra and ice in the top rows.
• Term 'desert' applies due to lack of life.
• Tundra and ice also found in high-altitude areas worldwide.

Threats and Environmental Impact

• Minimal direct human threat due to sparse populations.
• Climate change poses risks such as melting permafrost and icecaps.
• Melting releases methane and contributes to rising sea levels.

Conclusion

• Tundra and ice are the final biomes in the LONS08 classification system.
• Awareness of these biomes is crucial as part of understanding global biodiversity and climate change.
• The series covered various biomes, emphasizing biodiversity and environmental challenges.

Additional Information

• Related episodes on climate zones are available for deeper exploration.
• Encouragement to engage with more content and further series.
• Call to action for viewers to support and share content related to environmental education.

Note: This lecture emphasizes the ecological significance and challenges faced by the coldest biomes, urging awareness of climate impacts on these regions.