Transcript Tundra Botany

Tundra Botany
Madeline Brooks
Abiotic Factors
Most of the soil in a tundra has permafrost, which is
soil that is frozen year round. The soil found in a
tundra is unique because it stores a lot of carbon.
However, it isn’t used for agricultural productivity.
For six to ten weeks in the summer, the sun shines
almost 24 hours a day. It doesn‘t warm up the
tundra. For the rest of the year, it is always cold
and snowy. None of these abiotic factors help
plants live in a tundra.
10 Different Plants Found in a Tundra
Biome and Their Adaptions
Arctic Moss
(Calliergon
giganteum )
Arctic moss grows very slowly.
When it’s not growing, it stores
nutrients so that it can make leaves
quickly each spring. It is adapted
to strong winds because it grows
close to the ground. Because it can
grow under water, it is protected
from the cold, dry air of the tundra.
Arctic Willow
(Salix arctica)
In its strongest growth season, it
forms a pesticide to keep insects
like the Arctic woolly bear away. It
has also adapted to the permafrost
by growing a shallow root system.
The leaves of the arctic willow have
also adapted to the cold weather
by growing long fuzzy hairs.
Bearberry
(Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi)
Bearberry is a low growing
plant so it can avoid the wind.
It also has silky hair and
leathery leaves to keep it
warm.
Caribou Moss
(Cladonia
rangiferina)
Caribou moss is actually a lichen.
Lichen can survive for long times
without water. They just dry out
and go dormant when there is
little water or light. They can
begin to grow again after long
periods of dormancy.
Diamond- leaf
Willow (Salix
pulcha)
The diamond- leaf willow only
grows a few inches tall. It grows
across the ground like a
carpet. This protects the plant
from the wind.
Labrador Tea
(Ledum
groenlandicum)
In the Northern part of the
tundra, the Labrador tea grows
across the ground. In the
southern part, it grows straight
up.
Pasque Flower
(Anemone
patens)
It grows close to the ground so
it can avoid the wind. It also is
covered with fine silky hairs that
insulate it.
Tufted Saxifrage
(Saxifraga
caespitosa)
It has a well-developed
underground root system for
storing carbohydrates, so that
they can respond quickly to
the cold weather.
Prairie Crocus
(Anemone
patens)
It grows close to the ground to
avoid the wind. It also is
covered in fine hairs so it can
be insulated.
Arctic Poppy
(Papaver
laestadianum)
The flower heads face up so
that it can soak up the heat of
the sun.