3.2.6&7: The Arctic tundra biome & sustainable use of it

Question 1

How old is the tundra in relation to other biomes?

Answer 1

the world’s youngest biome,
formed after the last ice age,
10,000 years ago

Question 2

How much fresh water for biodiversity does the tundra contain in relation to other biomes?

Answer 2

the largest amount compared to any other biome

Question 3

What is the tundra made up of in terms of relief of landscape?

Answer 3

highland and lowland regions

Question 4

Location of the arctic tundra

Answer 4

between the edge of taiga and the permanent ice caps of the Arctic/ North Pole
found in: northern Canada, Russia, Alaska, Greenland, Iceland and parts of Scandanavia

Question 5

Where is arctic tundra the dominant biome

Answer 5

the Arctic/ sub-Arctic region

Question 6

Pressure systems in the arctic tundra

Answer 6

high pressure systems and subsiding air

Question 7

Subsiding air

Answer 7

sinking air

Question 8

Rainfall and temperature levels of the arctic tundra

Answer 8

low temps.
winter average: -34°C 
summer average: 3-12°C 
low rainfall
150-250mm of precipitation per year (lower than most deserts)

Question 9

Weather of the arctic tundra

Answer 9

high winds
- can result in snow drifts
no sunlight in very northern regions up to 163 days a year

Question 10

Characteristics of the arctic tundra’s climate

Answer 10

harsh/extreme climate

short growing season

Question 11

Features of winter in the arctic tundra

Answer 11

long, dark and cold

most of the ground is covered in dense, packed snow

Question 12

Biomass and productivity in the arctic tundra

Answer 12

low productivity due to short growing season

low biodiversity

Question 13

Albedo in the arctic tundra

Answer 13

high albedo

Question 14

Albedo

Answer 14

the frozen surface reflects the little radiation back into the atmosphere

Question 15

Why is the ground unable to be warmed by the sun in the arctic tundra

Answer 15

lack of dark vegetation,

means that the ground is unable to be warmed by the absorption of radiation from the sun

Question 16

Features of the soil in the arctic tundra

Answer 16

soil is slow to form due to low temps.

thin and acidic

Question 17

Soil layers in the arctic tundra biome

3

Answer 17

Active layer
Permafrost
Talik

Question 18

Active layer in the soil

Answer 18

A thin melt layer in the summer which is soil that goes through a freeze and thaw cycle annually.

Question 19

Permafrost layer in the soil

Answer 19

Stays permanently frozen

Can be affected by climate change

Question 20

Talik layer in the soil

Answer 20

Stays permanently frozen

not affected by climate change

Question 21

What happens to soil/surface during the summer?

5

Answer 21

• a network of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands form
• the soil become waterlogged
• sunshine at this time of year boosts plant growth
• in lower latitudes a dense mat of vegetation can grow
• food provided for wildlife that already live there and attracts migration

Question 22

Gleying

Answer 22

The soil becomes waterlogged and a reduction of oxygen occurs as a result of microbes feeding on organic soil matter. Therefore, water replaces air in pores and anaerobic conditions form, resulting in a reduction of iron. Leave the soil a grey/blue colour.

Question 23

The underlying permafrost acts an impermeable layer of soil, effect on active later of soil?

Answer 23

this causes waterlogging and gleying of the active layer of the soil

Question 24

Litter and decomposition in the arctic tundra

due to?

Answer 24

small amount of litter
limited decomposition
due to: limited plant growth

Question 25

Frost heave

Answer 25

An upward swelling of soil due to the formation of ice during freezing conditions.

Question 26

Frost heave can cause ... in the arctic tundra

Answer 26

... = bedrock gets raised to the surface, | preventing formation of soil horizons

Question 27

Soil horizons

Answer 27

A distinct level of soil parallel to the soil surface which may be composed of different organic matter than surface soil.

Question 28

Vegetation in the arctic tundra | 4

Answer 28

- 2000 species of plants, mainly mosses, grasses and flowering plants form the vegetation of arctic tundra - plant diversity decreases as you go further north - tree grow horizontally not vertically to benefit plant species underneath by providing shelter - must grow fast during the short summer growing season

Question 29

Plants in the tundra are adapted to | 4 conditions

Answer 29

1. short growing season 2. high winds 3. low temperature 4. low nutrient levels in the soil (very slow weathering/decomposition)

Question 30

Plants in the tundra are adapted to conditions by | 5 adaptations

Answer 30

1. shallow root systems 2. low growing 3. some grow huddled together/ in specific patterns 4. some have adapted to growing in wetlands 5. shape of flowers, leaves and stems

Question 31

Arctic poppy | 3 characteristics

Answer 31

- Big flowers which can face the sun at time time, maximises the rate of photosynthesis by removing sunlight as a limiting factor. - Shallow roots as only grow in the active layer of soil systems - colour helps heat absorbtion

Question 32

Cotton grass | 2 characteristics

Answer 32

A sedge with insulating tufts that helps the seeds get carried by the wind

Question 33

Mosses in the arctic tundra

Answer 33

very vast, play a great role in insulating the permafrost

Question 34

Lichens in the arctic tundra

Answer 34

hardy lichens play a role as a food source for a variety of species including barren ground caribou

Question 35

Relationship between lichen and fungi

Answer 35

- symbiotic | - similar to coral and zoothantellae

Question 36

Arctic bumblebee | 2

Answer 36

Longer larval stage* short adulthood * = must be able to survive in low temps for long periods

Question 37

Snowy owl | 5

Answer 37

- Mainly a tundra breeder - migrates in winter to southern Canada - dense layer of down and feathers = insulation - its main prey is lemmings so the two populations fluctuate - also eats arctic hare and small birds

Question 38

Examples of arctic tundra fish | 3

Answer 38

arctic char brook trout arctic cod

Question 39

Examples of arctic tundra birds | 3

Answer 39

snowy owl common raven tundra swan

Question 40

Examples of arctic tundra mammals | 3

Answer 40

arctic fox arctic hare polar bears

Question 41

Examples of arctic tundra invertebrates | 2

Answer 41

arctic bumblebee | arctic woolly bear moth

Question 42

Effect of climate change induce temperature increases on arctic tundra biome size

Answer 42

forecast to shift the limit of the tundra biome northwards at a rate of 15 miles per decade

Question 43

Why is arctic tundra classed as a 'stressed' biome

Answer 43

due to its extreme climate and short and sensitive nature of its food chain, producers in the ecosystem occupy a very specific ecological niche

Question 44

How will animals like Caribou, Musk ox and Reindeer be threatened by climate change

Answer 44

will need to alter their grazing ranges to keep pace with shifting biome, their numbers and ability to reproduce will be threatened by inadequate vegetation

Question 45

How could a tipping point of irreversible change be reached in the arctic tundra biome?

Answer 45

thawing of permafrost, carbon and methane storing permafrost is now shrinking at an alarming rate, decomposition of organic matter becomes a heat source = rise in soil temps. POSITIVE FEEDBACK LOOP

Question 46

Threats to arctic tundra biome | 7

Answer 46

``` changes in sea ice patterns changes in permafrost tundra fires air pollution mineral exploitation tourism invasive species ```

Question 47

Norilsk, Russia

Answer 47

One of the largest Arctic cities | Norilsk Nickle, the world's largest mining complex is based there

Question 48

Norilsk Nickle | effect on environment

Answer 48

Contaminates the surrounding air, water and land. All vegetation is completely dead within an 8km radius of the factory. Reduced growth and damaged vegetation up to 200km away from the factory.

Question 49

Environmental damage fine against Norilsk Nickle

Answer 49

$2 billion fine for environmental damage 'environmental disaster' oil spill in Arctic from an oil storage tank which sunk due to melting permafrost 21,000 tonnes of oil spilt

Question 50

The Sami in Lapland

Answer 50

- Lapland: stretches across Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia - herd and breed reindeer - conflicts between Sami people and commercial businesses following attempts to ban the Sami from land use - could lead to a loss of heritage and culture which dates back over 1000 years

Question 51

Norilsk Nickle: future of the environment

Answer 51

new legislation to cut emissions by 75% by 2023 | which will hopefully result in secondary succession of vegetation

Question 52

Strategies used to manage the Canadian Tundra | 5

Answer 52

- acts of legislation - protected areas and national parks - sanctuaries for animals - research scientists monitoring programmes - education of students and public