THE TUNDRA BIOMEBy Bas Dixon-Smith

Year 6B

THE BIOME: Tundra(Climate / geography)

What is tundra climate/geography

The tundra is a barren , cold environment that has permafrost as one of its features They are situated near the north and south poles Permafrost is soil or rock that has been frozen for 2 or more years There are no trees in tundra biomes Ground that has permafrost in it is cracked because of the ice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permafrost

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permafrost

Removal of ice-rich permafrost requires a jackhammer, as seen here. The image shows that the ice is trapped deep inside the soil strata, making it hard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permafrost

Permafrost can be a hazard when temperatures change; the ice expands; and the soil cracks with it. Here, you can see cracked soil falling into an adjacent pool of water.

CHOSEN ANIMAL: The human

Yes, humans live in tundra biomes. There are 3 groups of humans living in tundras all over the world:1. Inuit-Canada and Greenland 2. Innu-Canada-Labrador and Quebec3. Yakut-Siberia-Russia

ANIMAL ADAPTATION: to the Tundra

Humans have adapted to the tundra biome by

Wearing clothes made out of caribou skins and fur to keep warm Building igloos and discovering that they keep you warm Towns incorporating above-ground water supply and other pipes to avoid freezing Hunting local caribou, seals, whales and fish to eat: this diet is high in calories which

increases metabolic rate and produces heat Riding on sledges and dog sleds for transport

THE CHOSEN PLANT and ORGANISM: moss and lichen

Moss is a primitive, flowerless plant without ‘true’ roots

Lichen is a simple organism made up of two parts a fungus and an algae They combine to form a lichen Lichens can grow on basically any surface that is well-lit They can make chlorophyll which can make food. Each has something the

other needs. This is called a symbiotic relationship.

PLANT ADAPTATION: to the Tundra

Moss can grow across the Tundra because it can survive in very wet conditions with little soil

Lichen have adapted to the tundra biome by

Lichen can make food when the temperature is very cold and there is low light. The tissues of lichens are resilient to frost. This makes it a great plant for the tundra. Lichen can survive a long time without water by going into a dormant state.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/habitats/Tundra

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permafrost

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7485756_lives-tundra.html

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/caribou_moss.htm

http://anthro.palomar.edu/adapt/adapt_2.htm

http://www.wildernessclassroom.com/members/teachers/inuits.pdf

http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/04benthon/arclife.htm