Cold environments

• Polar regions are extremely cold regions with low precipitation
• Tundra regions have low temperatures and low precipitation, so plants are adapted to survive
• Permafrost is soil which is completely frozen. This means that no crops can grow on it
• Animals in polar regions have adapted to the cold by having thick fur, thick skin, and thick blood vessels. These include polar bears, whales, penguins and arctic foxes.
• Animals in tundra regions include lemmings, wolves and reindeer
• Cold environments are very fragile because of the low temperatures and low oxygen levels
• Adaptations of plants in cold environments:

  • can grow with little sunlight
  • shallow roots above permafrost
  • small leaves
  • becoming dormant
  • short growing season
• Adaptations of polar bears:

  • thick fur and blubber for insulation against the cold
  • white winter coat to camouflage with surroundings and stalk prey
  • large feet for a strong grip on ice
  • small surface area to volume ratio which minimises heat loss
• Adaptations of arctic foxes:

  • thick fur for insulation
  • fur coat which changes colour depending on the season
  • small pointed ears which prevent heat loss and enables them to hear prey