Figure 4.31 Tundra food webBecause of the unique conditions found in the Arctic tundra, the biota is
highly specialized and very sensitive to environmental change (i.e., disrupted
ecosystems in the Arctic tundra usually recover slowly).
The tundra is separated into two types: Arctic and Alpine.
Arctic Tundra
The Arctic tundra is located in the Northern Hemisphere, encircling the North
Pole and extending south to the coniferous forests of the taiga. It is known for its
cold, dry, desert-like conditions. The cold, dry conditions create slow growth
rates and slow decomposition rates for both organic matter and pollutants.
The very short growing season ranges around 50 days per year. The average
winter temperature is about –30°F (–34°C) while summer temperatures range
from 37°F to 54°F (3°C to 12°C), which enable this biome to sustain life. Yearly
precipitation, including melting snow, is 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm). The thin,
shallow, easily compacted, nutrient-poor soil is formed slowly. A layer of
permanently frozen subsoil called permafrost exists, consisting mostly of gravel