What are the Two Types of Tundra?
The two different types of tundra are arctic tundra and alpine tundra.
Arctic tundra is located in Alaska, northern Canada, and northern Asia (in other words, the Arctic Circle), which is all near the North Pole. The growing season lasts only for around 50-60 days. The average winter temperature is -34*C (-30*F), and the average summer temperatures are 3-12*C (37-54*F). The yearly precipitation in the arctic tundra is 15-25 cm (6-10 in.), but it varies in different areas of the arctic tundra. Overall, the arctic tundra is a very dry environment, with a lot of permafrost.
Though there are no deep-root systems in the flora of the arctic tundra, there is a big variety of plants that are able to resist the cold climate. Some are:
Alpine tundra is the type of tundra that is located on mountains at the height where trees couldn't grow (the treeline). The growing season is around 180 days. Unlike arctic tundra, there is well-drained soil. The temperature is usually around 52*F in the summer, while the winter temperature is around -4*F.
The plants in the alpine tundra are quite similar to some of the arctic tundra plants. Some are:
Some of the animals living in the alpine tundra are:
Arctic tundra is located in Alaska, northern Canada, and northern Asia (in other words, the Arctic Circle), which is all near the North Pole. The growing season lasts only for around 50-60 days. The average winter temperature is -34*C (-30*F), and the average summer temperatures are 3-12*C (37-54*F). The yearly precipitation in the arctic tundra is 15-25 cm (6-10 in.), but it varies in different areas of the arctic tundra. Overall, the arctic tundra is a very dry environment, with a lot of permafrost.
Though there are no deep-root systems in the flora of the arctic tundra, there is a big variety of plants that are able to resist the cold climate. Some are:
- low shrubs, reindeer mosses, liverworts, and grasses
- 400 varieties of flowers
- Mammals that are herbivores- caribou, arctic hares, squirrels
- Mammals that are carnivores- arctic foxes, wolves, polar bears
- Migratory birds- ravens, loons, falcons, sandpipers, snow birds, various species of gulls
- Insects- mosquitoes, flies, moths, grasshoppers, arctic bumblebees
Alpine tundra is the type of tundra that is located on mountains at the height where trees couldn't grow (the treeline). The growing season is around 180 days. Unlike arctic tundra, there is well-drained soil. The temperature is usually around 52*F in the summer, while the winter temperature is around -4*F.
The plants in the alpine tundra are quite similar to some of the arctic tundra plants. Some are:
- tussock grasses, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs
Some of the animals living in the alpine tundra are:
- Mammals- marmots, mountain goats, sheep, elk
- Grouse-like birds
- Insects- beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies