Introduction to the Tundra Biome.
The word ‘Tundra’ is originated from the Finnish word ‘Tunturi’ meaning treeless plain or barren land. Tundra is the youngest, coldest and driest biome in the world and is separated into two subcategories – Arctic Tundra and Alpine Tundra. It covers 20 percent of the earth’s surface and is usually located in the northern hemisphere. Tundra is basically vast, barren, treeless plains consisting of extremely cold temperatures, frosty landscapes, poor nutrients (two major nutrients are phosphorus and nitrogen), and low biotic diversity. Other features in a tundra biome include simple vegetation structure, energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material, large population oscillations, limitation of drainage and short fertile and growing seasons ranging from 50-60 days in the arctic tundra, and 180 days in the alpine tundra. This particular biome is also a place where mining and oil rigs occur, therefore, pollution has affected the air, lakes and rivers causing various organisms to die. The tundra biome is occasionally referred to as cold useless wasteland. However, this is certainly not true. It is an insubstantial environment where organisms such as plants and animals have made some remarkable adaptations to the freezing temperatures in winter and short, abundant summers. Due to the tundra’s climate, the biodiversity of plants and animals are low.