Tundra Ecosystem – Class 12 | Chapter – 14 | Biology Short Notes Series PDF

Tundra Ecosystem: The tundra ecosystem is a cold and harsh environment that is found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the world. It is characterized by long, harsh winters and short, cool summers, as well as a lack of vegetation and sparse populations of hardy plants and animals. The tundra is a unique and important ecosystem due to its role in regulating the Earth’s climate and its biodiversity. Despite its harsh conditions, the tundra is home to a variety of hardy plant and animal species that have adapted to survive in this environment.

In the tundra, the primary productivity is low, due to the short growing season and limited sunlight. Despite this, the tundra supports a variety of plant species, including mosses, lichens, and small shrubs. The herbivores in the tundra ecosystem include caribou, reindeer, and Arctic hares, while the top predators include polar bears and foxes.

The tundra is also an important carbon sink, with its peatlands and permafrost storing large amounts of carbon. However, climate change is having a significant impact on the tundra ecosystem, leading to melting of the permafrost and releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Overall, the tundra ecosystem is a unique and important part of the Earth’s biosphere, playing a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate and supporting biodiversity. It is important to monitor and protect this ecosystem to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Types of Tundra Ecosystem

There are two main types of tundra ecosystems:

  • Arctic tundra: Arctic tundra is found in the far northern regions of the world, surrounding the North Pole. It is characterized by long, harsh winters with very low temperatures and short, cool summers. The dominant vegetation in the Arctic tundra are mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
  • Alpine tundra: Alpine tundra is found at high elevations, such as on mountain tops and plateaus, at latitudes far from the poles. It is characterized by cold temperatures and high winds, with a short growing season. The dominant vegetation in the alpine tundra are dwarf willows, alpine flowers, and grasses.

Features of Tundra Ecosystem

The tundra ecosystem is characterized by the following features:

  • Extreme Climate: The tundra is a cold and harsh environment, characterized by long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. Temperatures in the tundra can drop well below freezing and remain below freezing for long periods of time.
  • Low Primary Productivity: The tundra has a low primary productivity, due to the limited growing season and limited sunlight. Despite this, the tundra supports a variety of plant species, including mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
  • Sparse Vegetation: The tundra is characterized by sparse vegetation, with limited numbers of hardy plant species that are adapted to survive in the harsh conditions.
  • Unique Animal Life: The tundra is home to a variety of hardy animal species, including caribou, reindeer, Arctic hares, polar bears, and foxes. These animals have adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the tundra.
  • Permafrost: The tundra has a layer of permanently frozen soil, called permafrost, that covers much of the landscape. The permafrost helps to maintain the cold and harsh conditions of the tundra, but it is also being affected by climate change, leading to melting and releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
  • Carbon Sink: The tundra is an important carbon sink, with its peatlands and permafrost storing large amounts of carbon. This helps to regulate the Earth’s climate and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

Animal life in Tundra Ecosystem

The tundra ecosystem is home to a variety of hardy animal species that have adapted to survive in the cold and harsh conditions of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Some of the key animal species found in the tundra include:

  • Caribou: Caribou are a type of large deer that live in the tundra. They are herbivores and feed on lichens, mosses, and other plants in the tundra.
  • Reindeer: Reindeer are a type of deer that are found in the tundra. They are herbivores and feed on lichens, mosses, and other plants in the tundra.
  • Arctic Hares: Arctic hares are a type of rabbit that live in the tundra. They are herbivores and feed on mosses, lichens, and other plants in the tundra.
  • Polar Bears: Polar bears are a type of bear that live in the tundra. They are carnivores and feed on seals, fish, and other animals in the tundra.
  • Arctic Foxes: Arctic foxes are a type of fox that live in the tundra. They are carnivores and feed on lemmings, birds, and other small animals in the tundra.
  • Snowy Owls: Snowy owls are a type of owl that live in the tundra. They are carnivores and feed on lemmings, hares, and other small animals in the tundra.

Plant life in Tundra Ecosystem

The tundra ecosystem is characterized by limited and sparse vegetation, with a limited number of hardy plant species that have adapted to survive in the cold and harsh conditions of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Some of the key plant species found in the tundra include:

  • Mosses: Mosses are small, non-vascular plants that are abundant in the tundra. They grow in damp soil and rocky areas, providing a source of food for small animals.
  • Lichens: Lichens are a type of symbiotic organism made up of a fungus and algae. They are abundant in the tundra, growing on rocks, soil, and trees, and provide a source of food for some animals.
  • Shrubs: Shrubs are small, woody plants that are found in the tundra. They are hardy and adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the tundra, providing shelter and food for some animals.
  • Dwarf Willows: Dwarf willows are a type of small shrub that is found in the tundra. They are hardy and adapted to survive in the cold and harsh conditions of the tundra.
  • Arctic Poppies: Arctic poppies are a type of small flower that is found in the tundra. They are hardy and adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the tundra, blooming in the short summer season.


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By Team Learning Mantras