Climate
What is the usual climate?
Cold and windy.
What do the species typically feed on?
Low-lying plants and insects.
What does summer bring?
A burst of wildflowers.
How many hours a day does the sun shine in the summer growing season?
24 hours per day.
What is the foundation of life in the tundra's ecosystem?
The permafrost.
What are some species that live in the tundra?
Mountain goats, sheep, marmots, birds, arctic foxes, polar bears, gray wolves, caribou, snow geese, and musk-oxen.
How long is the summer growing season?
50 to 60 days.
How big is the permafrost?
Some 1,476 feet(450 meters).
Why is the arctic fox being effected by the red fox?
Because global warming causes the red fox, which is usually found further south, to move to the tundra and compete with the arctic fox for food.
What is the average temperature?
10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit(-6 to -12 degrees Celsius).
How does the permafrost melting contribute to global warming?
The permafrost contains about 14% of Earth's total carbon dioxide.
How do flora survive in the harsh conditions?
Usually by growing in rock depressions where it is warmer and they are sheltered from the wind. If not, then they grow in clusters.
How much precipitation does the tundra receive each year?
Less than 10 inches.
How long can the sun stay below the horizon?
2 months.
Why is the number of the few plants and animals that have adapted to live in the tundra decreasing?
Because they are highly vulnerable to environmental stresses such as reduced snow cover and warmer temperatures caused by global warming.