Tundra Plants Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the three types of tundra ecosystems?

Alpine, arctic, and antarctic.

Where is the alpine tundra ecosystem found?

On tall mountains.

Where is the arctic tundra found?

At the top of the world around the North Pole.

What is very similar to arctic tundra ecosystems?

The antarctic tundra ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What are characteristics of the arctic tundra ecosystem?

Mostly dry, flat, and treeless, may be covered with snow and ice for as long as 10 months a year. Signup and view all the answers

What are biomes?

Regions of the Earth that have similar climates and populations of living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Earth's coldest and youngest biome?

Arctic tundra. Signup and view all the answers

How was the arctic tundra formed?

Glaciers retreated at the last ice age. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth is arctic tundra?

20% of the Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What does the word tundra mean?

Treeless, flat land. Signup and view all the answers

What is the permafrost layer?

An underground layer of Earth that is frozen solid all year long. Signup and view all the answers

What is the active layer?

The top few centimeters of soil that starts to thin out in the summer months and then refreeze in the winter months. Signup and view all the answers

How many seasons does the arctic tundra have?

Two: summer and winter. Signup and view all the answers

What are some herbivores in the arctic tundra?

The musk-ox. Signup and view all the answers

What are some predators in the arctic tundra?

The arctic wolf. Signup and view all the answers

What are the producers on the tundra?

Plants and lichens. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptations help plants survive on the tundra?

Grow low to the ground and in mats or clumps. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptations do animals have that protect them?

Most tundra animals have stocky bodies covered with thick fur or feathers. Signup and view all the answers

How do arctic plants reproduce?

By growing new roots, not by producing seeds. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptations do the arctic plant leaves and stems have to help survive in the arctic ecosystem?

Some plants have dark leaves and stems. Signup and view all the answers

How does growing close to the ground help plants survive?

Helps reduce damage and heat loss from the arctic winds. Signup and view all the answers

Why would the plant have small leaves?

To reduce water loss through transpiration. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't plants with deep roots live in the arctic tundra?

Deep roots cannot penetrate the permafrost. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of arctic vegetation?

Cotton grass, sedge, arctic willow, and dwarf heath. Signup and view all the answers

How is the tufted saxifrage different from other vegetation?

It produces a small fruit that contains many small seeds. Signup and view all the answers

Why do tundra plants grow so close to the ground?

To avoid the cold, harsh tundra wind. Signup and view all the answers

What is lichen?

A combination of a fungus and either a type of algae or a type of bacterium. Signup and view all the answers

Why do some arctic plants have red or dark-colored leaves?

To absorb heat energy from the sun better. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tundra Ecosystems

Three types of tundra ecosystems: alpine, arctic, and antarctic.
Alpine tundra located on tall mountains.
Arctic tundra is found at the North Pole and is characterized by a dry, flat, and treeless landscape, often covered in snow and ice for up to 10 months a year.
Antarctic tundra ecosystems share similarities with arctic tundra.

Characteristics and Formation

Arctic tundra is the coldest and youngest biome on Earth.
Formation of the arctic tundra occurred as glaciers retreated during the last ice age.
Arctic tundra covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface.

Tundra Definition and Layers

The term "tundra" refers to treeless, flat land.
Permafrost is an underground layer that remains frozen all year.
The active layer is the top few centimeters of soil that thaws in summer and refreezes in winter.

Seasons and Wildlife

The arctic tundra experiences two seasons: summer and winter, with winter lasting about 10 months.
Herbivores like musk-ox inhabit the region.
Predators such as the arctic wolf roam the tundra.

Vegetation

Producers in the tundra include plants and lichens, which are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or bacteria.
Tundra plants have adaptations, like low growth and clustering, to withstand harsh winds and minimize cold exposure.
Arctic plants reproduce primarily through new roots instead of seeds due to the short growing season.

Plant Adaptations

Dark leaves and stems help arctic plants absorb more sunlight and warmth.
Growing low to the ground reduces thermal energy loss and damage from winds.
Small leaves are common to minimize water loss through transpiration.
Deep roots are ineffective in arctic tundra due to permafrost barriers.

Arctic Vegetation Examples

Common plants include cotton grass, sedge, arctic willow, dwarf heath, mosses, and lichens.
Tufted saxifrage is notable for producing numerous small seeds and growing to about 6 inches tall while forming dense mats.
Tundra plants close to the ground mitigate the impact of cold winds.

Lichens

Lichens function as producers and consist of a fungus paired with algae or bacteria, playing an essential role in the tundra ecosystem.
Some arctic plants feature red or dark-colored leaves to better harness solar heat.

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Description

Test your knowledge of tundra ecosystems with these flashcards. Learn about the characteristics and locations of the alpine, arctic, and antarctic tundra. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of environmental science.