Cold enviro 1

• What is a cold environment?

  Cold environments experience temperatures of 0'C or below for long periods of time
• What is the polar biome?

  The most extreme cold environments and ice sheets where temperatures are below zero all year
• What is the tundra biome?

  Areas which have less extreme cold environments though soils are permanently frozen (permafrost) and summers are short
• Where are cold environments located

  Located in the extreme north and south of the Earth and are not found near the Equator.
• What is the climate like in polar regions?

  Extreme- winter temperatures can fall below -50'C, strong winds, low precipitation (snow, rain)
• What is a climate like in tundra regions?


  Less extreme- winter temperature may drop to -20'C, warm brief summers, higher precipitation in coastal regions (near the sea/ocean)
• what is the soil like in polar regions?

  Permafrost covered by ice
• What is permafrost


  permanently frozen soil
• What is soil like in tundra regions?

  Surface permafrost melting in summer causing waterlogging (saturate with water)
• What is plants in polar regions like?

  Few mosses and lichens on the fringes of the ice
• What is the plants in tundra regions like?

  Low- growing, flowering plants with special adaptations
• Animals in polar regions

  Polar bears- well adapted with thick fur and foot pads and Antarctic penguins
• Animals in Tundra regions

  several species due to more food options and less extreme climate

  Arctic fox and arctic hare, summer birds, insects, mosquitoes
• Adaptations of bearberry plants in tundra environments


  -Low growing so protected from strong winds

  -Stems have thick bark to improve stability

  -Small leathery leaves retain moisture

  -Hairy stems insulate the plant

  -Bright red berries attract birds to help spread the seeds
• Adaptations of a Polar Bear

  - thick white fur for insulation and camouflage

  - small ear reduce heat loss

  - sharp claws and teeth for catching & eating prey

  - strong legs for swimming and running to catch prey

  - large feet spread body mass on ice and snow

  - fur on feet soles for insulation and grip

  - thick layer of blubber for insulation and energy storage
• Examples of cold environments

  Antarctica, Greenland, Northern Canada, Northern Russia
• Cold environment case study

  Svalbard