Transcript Alpine Tundra Example

Alpine Tundra
The Fields Are Alive!
Characteristics
 Defining Characteristic :
 Elevated region with sparse vegetation
 Locations :
 American Cordillera
Alps
Pyrenees
Tibetan Plateau
 Annual Precipitation :
 Varies significantly (Mainly winter snow)
 Temperature Range :
 Varies significantly
Average summer temperature = 50 °F
 Light Exposure :
 Varies significantly (Depends on latitude)
Structure
 Vegetation :
 Perennial Grasses
 Sedges
 Herbaceous Flowering Plants
 Cushion Plants
 Lichens
 Vertical stratification limited by :
 Intense Radiation
 Wind
 Snow
 Cold
 Slight elevation changes can cause dramatic effects
 Well drained soils (compared to arctic tundra)
Food Web
 No species common to all tundra biomes
 Possible animals :
 Mountain Goats
Chinchilla
Woodland Caribou
Pikas
Marmot
Kea Parrot
 Predator-prey interactions vary according to region of the world
Human Effects
 Extremely sensitive to disturbance
Little ability to restore itself
 Vulnerable to overhunting
 Sensitive to global warming
 Invasive species affect food webs
 Difficult to regrow areas with vehicular tracks
Interesting Facts
 Usually found at an altitude of 10,000 feet or more
 Summer season : June to September
 Only 200 species of alpine plants
 Less atmosphere = More UV rays
 Thinner atmosphere = Less CO2
 Difficult on the photosynthetic process
Literature Cited
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_tundra Locations :
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine.htm Temperature Range :
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/alpinetundra.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra.php
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/animals/environments/arctic_alpine_tundra.htm