Climate is very cold below freezing, winters can drop to -40°C or -90°C, ice sheets cover the areas, few plants like lichens and mosses, animals include polar bears, penguins, whales and seals, mostly uninhabited except for some indigenous people and scientists
Tundra environments
Climate can reach up to 10°C, soil is thin and acidic, hardly any shrubs/grasses/mosses but lichens are common, animals include lemmings, wolves and reindeer, home to many indigenous people as well as oil/gas workers in larger towns
Characteristics of polar and tundra environments
Climate
Soil
Plants
Animals
People
Both polar and tundra environments
Have low precipitation, well-defined seasons, layer of permafrost holding trapped gases, most growth occurs during short warm period, relatively few animals
Cotton grass (plant adaptation)
Low-lying to be insulated by snow in winter
Seeds that scatter in the wind
Narrow leaves to reduce transpiration and water loss
Adapted to short growing season with short life cycle
Dense flower heads to reduce heat loss
Darker leaves to absorb energy from sun
Polar bear (animal adaptation)
White appearance for camouflage
Thick layer of fat and fur for insulation
Small surface area to volume ratio to minimize heat loss
Greasy coat that sheds water after swimming to reduce heat loss
Large feet to distribute load and increase grip on ice
