Chapter 24: Problem 18

How does alpine tundra differ from Arctic tundra?

Short Answer

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Question: Briefly describe the differences between alpine tundra and Arctic tundra in terms of location, climate, vegetation, and wildlife. Answer: Alpine tundra is found in high altitude mountainous regions, with harsh, cold, and windy conditions and a short growing season. The vegetation consists of low-growing species, such as grasses and sedges. Wildlife includes mountain goats, marmots, and pikas. In contrast, Arctic tundra is located in the polar regions, with longer, extremely cold winters and permafrost. The vegetation includes fewer vascular plants and more cushion plants. Wildlife consists of polar bears, Arctic foxes, and reindeer, among other species adapted to extreme cold.

Step by step solution

Location:

Alpine tundra refers to the high altitude areas above the tree line where trees cannot grow, typically found in mountainous regions across the world. On the other hand, Arctic tundra is found in the polar regions, specifically in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere around the Arctic Circle.

Climate:

The climate of alpine tundra is characterized by harsh, cold, and windy conditions with a short growing season and freezing temperatures at night, even during the warmest months. Precipitation in alpine tundra is generally low, but it mostly falls in the form of snow. In contrast, the Arctic tundra has a longer winter season with extremely cold temperatures, persistent ice, and permafrost. Precipitation in the Arctic tundra is also low, and it mainly falls as snow or light rain during the summer months.

Vegetation:

Both alpine and Arctic tundra have limited vegetation due to the harsh environmental conditions. The alpine tundra is home to a variety of plants, mainly small, low-growing species like grasses, sedges, mosses, and lichens that can tolerate the short growing season, freezing temperatures, and nutrient-poor soil. The Arctic tundra has similar vegetation but with some differences. While mosses and lichens are also common, the Arctic tundra has fewer vascular plant species and more cushion plants, which can grow in the nutrient-poor soil and help to insulate it from the cold.

Wildlife:

The wildlife found in alpine and Arctic tundra is quite different due to the differences in location and environmental conditions. Alpine tundra is home to a variety of specialized species, such as mountain goats, marmots, pikas, and ptarmigans, that have adapted to live in the challenging conditions of high altitudes. In comparison, the Arctic tundra is inhabited by some unique animal species, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer (caribou), and migratory birds that are adapted to survive the extreme cold and permafrost.

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How does alpine tundra differ from Arctic tundra?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Location:

Climate:

Vegetation:

Wildlife:

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