Where is the Arctic tundra found?

In the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, between the boreal forest and the permanent ice of the Arctic.

How much precipitation does the Arctic tundra typically receive?

Very little, commonly under 250 mm a year, which makes it a cold desert.

Why is water often available to tundra plants despite low precipitation?

Permafrost prevents drainage, so the meltwater from the thawing active layer stays at the surface and waterlogs it in summer.

Name three characteristic tundra plants.

Mosses and lichens, sedges and cotton grass, and dwarf shrubs such as Arctic willow.

Give three adaptations of tundra plants to their environment.

Low, cushion-like growth to escape the wind, shallow roots confined to the active layer, and rapid flowering and seeding in the short summer.

WJEC A-Level Geography 601-8455-3

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Ecosystems

The Arctic tundra biome

3 things to know
A2 Unit 4

Overview

Temperature regime of the Arctic tundra, three characteristic tundra plants and three tundra animals and one adaptation each.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Name three tundra animals and one adaptation each.

Key term

Describe one interrelationship between climate, soil and vegetation in the tundra.

Key term

Describe the temperature regime of the Arctic tundra.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Where is the Arctic tundra found?
Model answer
In the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, between the boreal forest and the permanent ice of the Arctic.
2
Describe the temperature regime of the Arctic tundra.
Model answer
Winters are long and severe with means well below −20°C, and the brief summer barely rises above 10°C.
3
How much precipitation does the Arctic tundra typically receive?
Model answer
Very little, commonly under 250 mm a year, which makes it a cold desert.
4
Why is water often available to tundra plants despite low precipitation?
Model answer
Permafrost prevents drainage, so the meltwater from the thawing active layer stays at the surface and waterlogs it in summer.
5
Name three characteristic tundra plants.
Model answer
Mosses and lichens, sedges and cotton grass, and dwarf shrubs such as Arctic willow.
6
Give three adaptations of tundra plants to their environment.
Model answer
Low, cushion-like growth to escape the wind, shallow roots confined to the active layer, and rapid flowering and seeding in the short summer.

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