Arctic Tundra by: Jacob Milburn
Organisms of the Arctic Tundra
Producers
This is the producer Xanthoria. It is one of the most common types of lichen in the Arctic tundra.
This is the Arctic Willow. The plant has adapted to its environment by growing shallow roots and having fuzzy hairs on the edge of the leaves.
These are Bearberries on the Bearberry bush. The name is very explanatory, as bears love to eat these delicious little seeds.
This is the Tufted Saxifrage, or Saxifraga cespitosa. This species survives the cold winters of the tundra by storing carbohydrates in its roots.
Another example of a lichen in the arctic tundra is the Caribou Moss. Even though it is referred to as a moss, it is actually a lichen. This special type of lichen can survive for several months without water.
The Diamond Willow has extremely flexible branches to support the heavy load of the snow. They dramatically vary in height, being as small as a few feet tall or growing all the way to thirty feet tall.
The final main producer is Labrador Tea. Natives use the leaves from this plant to make tea that is said to have tons of healing properties and provides a terrific source of vitamin C.
Primary Consumers
Caribou, or Reindeer, only spend the spring and summer in the arctic tundra, looking for food and the right temperature. They are one of the world's great large animal migrations, traveling some 600 miles.
An Arctic Hare is slightly larger than a regular hare and can survive in the cold better than a regular hare because of special adaptations such as extremely thick fur and smaller ears. During the summer, the hare drops its white coat and trades it for a blue-gray coat so it can blend into the local rocks.
Elk only visit the arctic tundra during the late spring and early summer to give birth to their calves. Most of the time they are down in the mountainous terrain of south Canada and the West-Central part of the US.
Lemmings are essentially fluffy pack rats. The rodent survives the long arctic winter by using its thick fur to protect themselves. The legend about lemmings jumping off cliffs for fun is a myth, only in food shortages do they run around crazily. Unfortunately, some do find their way off cliffs.
Secondary Consumers
The Snowy Owl is an extremely patient hunter, waiting to identify its prey before setting out in pursuit. The snowy's plumage varies depending on the gender and how old the bird is. Older males have an almost purely white plumage, while females have mostly spotted ones (like this one).
This is an Arctic Fox, a small creature about the size of a cat. They have many adaptations to survive the arctic winter, such as furry soles on their feet, short ears, and a short muzzle. The also have an extremely bushy tail that they will snuggle up with to keep warm.
The Arctic Wolf is a fierce predator of caribou and other large game. In tough times, the wolf will scavenge for food such as dead animals or lemming.
The Grizzly Bear is not usually thought of to be in the arctic tundra; however, the tundra is one of its main roaming places. The bear has very thick fur that keeps it warm in the cold of winter.
The magnificent Polar Bear is truly the king of the north. Being an apex predator, the bear has no natural predators. Typically, only eats seals or beached whales but they will eat whatever they can in desperate times.
Decomposers
Bacteria are everywhere, in almost every living thing and on most non-living things. Many strains of bacteria help break down organic matter and help deliver nutrients back to the environment.
Roundworms are found in nearly every part of the globe and are vital in the decomposition of matter. The worms are not easily seen by the naked eye, but are best looked at in a microscope.
These are examples of the fungi Amanita Muscaria, or Fly Agaric. These mushrooms thrive on rotting plant and animal matter.
This is the American Carrion Beetle. The beetle is most prominent in the far northern reaches of North America.
Food Chains
Food Web
*Note: Everything below will be related to Lemmings*
Population Growth for Lemmings
Limiting Factors
Biotic
Lemmings have many biotic limiting factors because they are primary consumers. The arctic fox, snowy owl, and arctic wolf all hunt the lemming for their food. With that many animals hunting the lemming, they keep the rapid growing population of lemmings in check. Lemmings can also contract diseases that severely decrease their population by killing off hundreds at a time.
Abiotic
The first and foremost abiotic limiting factor is the cold. Even though the lemming is adapted to such a harsh environment, they can still die from the cold. They can also die from the large amounts of snow, as it may trap some of the animals.
*Note: I am done talking about Lemmings now*
Barriers
Physical
There are few physical barriers in the arctic tundra. One example of a physical barrier in the tundra is the oceans and seas surrounding some of the northern islands. These are physical barriers during the summer when most of the ice and snow has melted so the ice bridges have disappeared. Another example would be rivers during the summer when the ice has melted or any types of mountains.
Climate
Since there is no defined line for the boundary of the arctic, it is tough to say when the climate barriers come into play. However, the animals in the arctic have no chance of making it to the Antarctic by themselves because it is simply too hot in between. They would roast themselves before they even reached Texas.
Relationships Between Populations
Predator-Prey
The Snowy Owl and the Arctic Hare share a predator-prey relationship because the owl hunts the hare for food. The hare is harmed but the owl is helped by getting supper.
Competition
Male Polar bears compete fiercely for territory and mates. Most of these competitions end badly for one of the two animals, either in death or serious injury.
Scavengers
The arctic fox will scavenge for any dead animals as well as hunting for fresh meat. Other scavengers include the American Carrion Beetle and the Arctic Wolf.
Mutualism
Lichens are only able to survive due to mutualism. The algae do photosynthesis and share the energy with the fungus, creating a working organism.
Commensalsism
The best example of commensalism in the arctic is between a caribou and a fox. When it snows in the arctic tundra, all vegetation is covered. To find food, the caribou must dig into the snow to reach the vegetation. The fox will follow the caribou to eat the small mammals that are exposed, or brought closer to the surface of the soil.
Parasaitism
There are few parasites in the arctic tundra, but there is one that affects the caribou and wolves/foxes. Liver tapeworms need both a carnivore and an herbivore to survive. The eggs of the liver tapeworm develop in the gut of the carnivore and are exposed into the environment when the animal poops. The herbivores eat plants infected with the tapeworm and once introduced to the body, it develops a cyst on the animal's liver. When the herbivore dies, or is killed, the carnivore eats the cyst and is reinfected with the worm. Then this cycle repeats.
Map of the Arctic Tundra
Climograph
Temperature
Precipitation
