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Polar Grasslands

Polar grasslands, or tundra, exhibit extreme climate conditions with average winter temperatures reaching -28°C and summer temperatures between 3-12°C, resulting in a narrow temperature range. Annual precipitation ranges from 15-25 cm, primarily from melting snow. The environment is dominated by grasses, sedges, mosses, and lichens, hosting fauna including seals, penguins, arctic foxes, and polar bears. Adaptations in plants and animals enable survival in harsh conditions, contributing to low biodiversity with only 1,700 plant species and 48 land mammals.

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Polar Grasslands

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  1. Polar Grasslands Anneliese S. Dan H.

  2. Climate Characteristics • Average Winter Temperature: -28° C • Average Summer Temperature: 3-12° C • Small temperature range due to extremely cold temperatures throughout the year

  3. http://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/bio/biosphere/topics/biomes/biomes_map_final.gifhttp://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/bio/biosphere/topics/biomes/biomes_map_final.gif

  4. Climate Characteristics • Annual Precipitation: 15-25cm -Including melting snow • Limiting Factors: -Wind: 30-60 mph -Winter throughout most of the year -Permafrost (frozen ground throughout the year) http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/photos/tundra-landscapes/beechey.html

  5. Flora and Fauna • Flora (plants) • Grasses, sedges, heather, mosses, and lichens. • Fauna (animals) • Seals, penguins, arctic foxes, caribou, snowshoe rabbit, and polar bears. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/enlarge/polarbeartundra.html

  6. Adaptation • Plant adaptation • Can survive in high winds, freezing temperatures, and little sunlight. • Animal adaptation • Paws • White Fur • Thick fat, fur, or blubber

  7. Biodiversity • Very low biodiversity • 1,700 species of plants • Only 48 land mammals. • Many insects and birds migrate annually.

  8. Biomass Pyramid

  9. References • Regents of the University of California. (2008) The Tundra Biome. Retrieved October 17, 2008 from University of California Berkeley http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra.php • Rob Nelson. (2003) Arctic Tundra. Retrieved October 17, 2008 from The Wild Classroom. http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/arctictundra.html • Madhavi Ghare.(2008) Tundra Climate Facts. Retrieved October 17, 2008 from Buzzle. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/tundra-climate-facts.html • “How are the biomes distributed?” (http://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/bio/biosphere/topics/biomes/biomes_map.html) • “Beechey Island” (http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/enlarge/beechey.html) • “Tundra with Polar Bear” (http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/enlarge/polarbeartundra.html)

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