Tundra reigns on the northern outskirts of Europe, Asia and America. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is found only on some Antarctic islands. The tundra zone stretches along the northern border of Russia, washed by the icy Arctic Ocean.
A unique and harsh natural area
It looks gloomy, inhospitable and deserted. Winter dominates here for nine months of the year, the polar night lasts long and boring. The dim light of the cold moon reaches the treeless, bare land. Lonely stars twinkle. A rare, fabulously beautiful northern lights pleases the eye.
On this lifeless soil, shackled by permafrost for tens, in some places and hundreds, meters deep, rare mosses and solitary lichens grow. A little to the south, low-growing shrubs also took root, taking root in peaty soil.
In order to answer the question of whether there is a polar night in the mountain tundra, one should understand the definition of this ecosystem.
Amazing biome
Mountain tundra, also called "alpine", is the name of the existing type of ecosystem, located on a vertical zone scheme. The territory of this natural biome stretches from snow-glacial belt to mountain forest. Its border corresponds to the border of forests and runs along the line of snow. The boundary of the climatic zone is the average isotherm of summer + 10 °. This altitudinal zone is typical for the mountain ranges of the subarctic and temperate zones.
The main differences between the mountain tundra and the arctic one are better soil drainage and weak waterlogging of the soil.
Northern weather conditions
The scientific explanation for whether there is a polar night in the mountain tundra is the climate of this zone. These areas are characterized by extremely low air temperatures with a decrease in accordance with the adiabatic gradient by 1°C for every 100-200 m of altitude. The mountain tundra is characterized by negative average annual air temperature. A strong wind dominates here, and high activity is characteristic of solar radiation. The zone is characterized by rarefied air, uneven distribution, and an intensive change in its humidity. Snow cover is unevenly distributed.
To explain whether there is a polar night in the mountain tundra, the specific location of the zone will also help. This natural phenomenon occurs in those mountainous areas that are geographically beyond the Arctic Circle. The polar night does not happen if the highlands are located in more southern natural areas, which are characterized by a temperate climate. Indeed, in a given area, the alternation of day and night occurs in the same way as in areas of coniferous or broad-leaved forests. And the main condition for the onset of the polar night is the extremely constant presence of low temperatures. Andthe only reason for this phenomenon is the geographic latitude, whether north or south. The main thing is the maximum distance from the northern or southern polar circle to the poles.
Winter: severe frost and impenetrable darkness
Having figured out whether there is a polar night in the mountain tundra, let's try to establish its definition and duration. This natural phenomenon is called the period when the Sun does not appear from behind the horizon for more than a day. This is a consequence of the inclination at an angle of 23.5 ° of the axis of rotation of our planet to the plane of the ecliptic. The shortest period (about two days) of the polar night lasts at the latitude of the Arctic Circle. The maximum duration of the phenomenon is about six months, which is typical of the South Pole.
Polar night in the tundra lasts an average of 1-2 months and occurs in winter. This season is extremely severe weather conditions. Thus, the average temperature in January is kept at around -25-35°C. Snow-covered mountain ranges, pierced by an icy wind, look lifeless in winter. Even the permanent inhabitant of the mountain tundra - the reindeer - often migrates to the south in search of food. The conditions of staying in this harsh zone are difficult, and the polar night is a challenge of nature to all living things.
