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Ecosystems

The Arctic tundra: climate, soils, plants and animals

  • 2 things to know
  • Component 3 Section B

Overview

Temperature regime of the Arctic tundra, precipitation in the Arctic tundra and active layer above permafrost.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Where is the Arctic tundra biome found?

Key term

Describe the temperature regime of the Arctic tundra.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Where is the Arctic tundra biome found?

    Model answer

    The Arctic tundra lies north of the tree line, around and above the Arctic Circle at 66.5° north. Northern Alaska, northern Canada, coastal Greenland and northern Siberia carry most of it.

  2. 2

    Describe the temperature regime of the Arctic tundra.

    Model answer

    Winter means fall to around −30 °C, and the warmest month averages under 10 °C. The 10 °C July isotherm marks the southern edge of the biome.

  3. 3

    Describe precipitation in the Arctic tundra.

    Model answer

    Annual precipitation is usually below 250 mm, much of it falling as snow. Low totals make the tundra a cold desert in terms of water supply.

  4. 4

    How long is the growing season in the tundra?

    Model answer

    The growing season lasts only around 50 to 90 days. Continuous daylight in midsummer partly compensates for its shortness.

  5. 5

    What is permafrost?

    Model answer

    Permafrost is ground that has stayed at or below 0 °C for at least two consecutive years. Depths reach several hundred metres in northern Siberia.

  6. 6

    What is the active layer above permafrost?

    Model answer

    The active layer is the surface layer of soil that thaws each summer. Thickness is usually between 0.5 m and 1 m.

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