Plant and Animal Adaptations

• Polar bear adaptations (behavioural)

  Dig dens to protect themselves from strong winds.

  Strong swimmers - this helps with hunting and swimming through ice.
• Polar bear adaptations (physical)

  • White fur helps them blend in with the snow and ice.
  • A thick layer of fat under its skin helps it to stay warm in the very cold temperatures.
  • Small, round ears help maintain body heat and stop cold water from entering through the ears.
  • Large paws spread its weight over the ice to prevent the ice from breaking.
• Name two plants that have adapted to Svalbard's cold environment.

  Bearberry.

  Compass plant.
• Describe the bearberry.

  A plant with red berries and bright green waxy leaves.
• Why is the bearberry one of the tundra's most abundant plants?

  It has adapted to the cold:

  • low growing (5-15cm off the ground) to survive strong winds.
  • thick bark on stems for strength in windy conditions.
  • hairy stems to hold in heat and keep the plant safe from the very cold temperatures.
  • bright red berries eaten by birds and owls - this helps distribute the seeds.
• How has the compass plant adapted to Svalbard's cold environment?

  • It flowers first on the southern side as it receives the most sunlight from this direction - you can use this plant to tell the direction.
  • Dense white hairs on the leaves help to reflect sunlight and reduce windspeeds at the leaf surface.