The globe is very large, and naturally, its climatic conditions vary greatly. This factor has a significant impact on the flora and fauna, makes life difficult or easier in the region. Thus, the climate of the tundra is one of the most severe and difficult to exist.
Geographic location of the tundra
In North America, the tundra zone is located along the entire coast of the far north of the mainland. It occupies most of the territory of Greenland, the Canadian Archipelago and reaches the 60th parallel. This is due to the cold breath of the Arctic Ocean.
In Russia, the tundra occupies about 15% of the entire territory of the state. It extends along the coast of the Arctic Ocean in a relatively narrow strip. However, in some places it occupies more extensive territories. These regions include the island of Taimyr, Chukotka. Despite the deserted land and scarcity of vegetation, various representatives of the fauna live in the tundra.
Zonal division of the tundra
Under the general name "tundra" there are four different sub-zones. This is due to the different topography, the location of the zones and the proximity or remoteness of the oceans or mountains. The climate of the tundra in each subzone is different. There is the following conditional division:
- arctic deserts;
- typical tundra;
- forest-tundra;
- mountain tundra.
Despite the fact that the climate of the tundra and forest-tundra is milder compared to the Arctic deserts, it is so severe that the regions have very poor flora and fauna.
Arctic deserts
The Arctic desert zone is located in North America and is characterized by the most severe climatic conditions. In Russia, this subzone does not exist. Summer here lasts only a few weeks. Winter lasts for more than six months. In winter, the sun practically does not come out from behind the horizon. Wind reaches hurricane force.
Winter temperatures often drop to -60 ˚С. The average temperature during the short summer does not exceed +5 ˚С. Atmospheric precipitation is very small - barely 500 mm falls a year. The vegetation is made up of mosses and lichens, which cover the ground in islets. In the summer, this subzone turns into a swamp. This is due to the low evaporation of water during this period. In addition, permafrost does not allow it to penetrate deep into.
However, the Arctic desert zone is an important breeding ground for animals and birds. In spring, geese, eiders, guillemots, puffins, waders appear, seals, walruses, polar bears, musk oxen survive on the coast. You can also meet lemmings and wolves, whichthey are being hunted.
Typical tundra
The climate of the tundra, which belongs to this subzone, is also very severe, but compared to the Arctic deserts, it is still milder. Summer temperature can reach +10 ˚С, winter -50 ˚С. The snow cover is shallow and dense. Spring comes in May, winter begins in October. Snowfalls are possible in the summer months. Because of the permafrost, there are many streams, puddles, lakes, swamps. They are shallow and easy to run over on sleds. Winter is characterized by strong winds and snowstorms. The vegetation cover is continuous, mainly mosses and lichens.
Toward the south, you can find undersized bush thickets of blueberries, wild rosemary, lingonberries, cassandra. On the banks of rivers and lakes you can see sedge shrubs, dwarf willows and birches, alder, juniper. This climate of the Russian tundra extends southward to the +10 July isotherm. Snowy owls, partridges, reindeer, wolves, lemmings, ermines and foxes constantly live in these harsh conditions. Moose are found in some regions.
Arctic deserts are gradually moving into the second climatic subzone. The climate of the tundra in North America does not differ from the Russian one. The same poor soils (peaty-gley, tundra-gley, permafrost-bog), strong winds and high frosts do not allow plants to grow tall and develop a root system. However, areas covered with moss and lichen serve as a pasture for deer in both America and Russia.
Forest-tundra
The further south the territory is, thethe climate is getting warmer. Continuous expanses of moss, lichens and stunted plants, on which areas with tall trees begin to appear - this climatic zone is called the forest tundra. It stretches across North America, and in Eurasia - from the Kola Peninsula to Indigirka. The tundra climate in this subzone allows both flora and fauna to have a wider distribution.
Winter temperatures reach -40 ˚С, summer temperatures reach +15 ˚С. The annual amount of precipitation reaches only 450 mm. The snow cover is uniform and stays on the ground for about 9 months. There is more precipitation than evaporation, so the soils are predominantly peat-gley, peat-bog, in some regions gley-podzolic. For the same reason, many lakes are common.
From plants, in addition to those characteristic of the typical tundra, balsam fir, spruce, Siberian larch, warty birch appear. Rivers have a moderating effect on the climate. Due to this, low-growing trees along the banks penetrate the tundra. In addition to those typical for the tundra, such species of animals as ptarmigan, shrews, arctic foxes appear.
Mountain tundra
This is a separate subzone, which is found in the highlands in those places where the plains, overgrown with forests, are surrounded by rocks and ridges. Mountain tundra is common in the mountains of North-East Russia, Southern Siberia, Tibet, the Pacific coast of North America, the highlands of the Davis Strait, the Brooks Ridge, the Alaska Ridge, and so on.
ClimateThe tundra in the mountains is characterized by strong winds, low temperatures, permafrost, and the absence of snow cover in open areas. The subzone starts from the border of the forest and ends at the border of the snow line on the peaks. Willow and alder shrubs grow closer to tall trees. The closer you get to the top level, the more terrain covered with grasses, shrubs, mosses and lichens.
Despite the harsh climate of the tundra, this natural area is a rich hunting ground. It is in these conditions that those species of flora and fauna that are not found in other regions live and reproduce. Some of their species are listed in the Red Book. In addition, the tundra is rich in natural resources, the extraction of which is increasing every year, despite the climate.
