The Arctic Tundra

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The Arctic Tundra

The Tundra is located in the northern regions of North America, Europe, Asia, as

well as a few regions of Antarctica. The Tundra is the second largest vegetation

zone in Canada. It can be divided clearly into three different sections: the

High Arctic Tundra, the Low Arctic Tundra and the Alpine Tundra. The latter

Alpine Tundra occurs in higher altitudes such as mountains whereas the first two

are mainly based in plains and lowlands of some kind. The Low Arctic Tundra is

the transmission point to the north. It is located above Canada's Boreal forests

and is followed by the High Arctic Tundra. The High Arctic Tundra is located

farther north and encompasses the Arctic circle as well as most of the western

Northwest Territories. Generally though since climate more or less corresponds

to vegetation zones, the Tundra is located in Arctic climate areas.

Temperature

The Tundra suffers a very harsh climate. Because of this fact most of the area

remains barren save for a few shrubs and lichens. It's winters last from 8-10

months and the summers are cool and short. Also due to the fact that much of

it's territory is located within the northern pole a lot of the Tundra receives

alternating 6 month periods of light and dark. This is also the reason why the

Tundra receives cold weather; at it's degree of latitude the suns rays end up

hitting the region obliquely, thus causing less solar heat. Here are the

temperatures of the Tundra in general:

Average January temperature: -32.1 degrees Celsius

Average July temperature: +4.1 degrees Celsius

Temperature range: 36.2 degrees Celsius

Average annual temperature: -17 degrees Celsius

Lowest temperature recorded: -52.5 degrees Celsius

Highest temperature recorded: +18.3 degrees Celsius

After seeing these temperatures you can see the reason why barely anyone lives

up there and why there is rather little natural vegetation.

Seasons And Moisture Content

The main seasons of the Tundra are summer and winter. The winter will last 8 to

10 months followed by the short and much less cold summer. During the summer

some lower areas of the Tundra will defrost at which point most of the flora and

fauna will start to creep out of hiding. The few summer months are used by many

animals such as the polar bear, to mate and to prepare for the once again

oncoming winter. During the winter months most everything remains frozen. Many

of the animals migrate south for the winter whereas some stay behind or even

group together for ritual group suicide (lemmings).

There is little precipitation all year long in the Tundra. The average yearly

total is 136 mm, out of which 83.

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