Tundra - natural area, not please the eye with lush vegetation.It can only develop and live organisms adapted to the harsh conditions.In recent years, exacerbated environmental problems in the area of tundra, unrecognizable change the face area.Developing the extractive industries, transport and processing industry.Conservationists and environmentalists are concerned about the changes taking place, a complication of the situation in the Arctic Circle.
Features tundra as the natural zone
North treeless area with a predominance of mosses and lichens stretches along the banks and partly on the islands of the Arctic Ocean.The main distinguishing features of this natural area - the harsh climate and the lack of wood.The benefit of the tundra grow pillow plants with shallow root system.In the summer thaw a thin surface layer of the soil poor in humus, extends below the permafrost.
Relief in the tundra is diverse: the vast lowland interspersed with hills.The nature of the surface can be peaty, rocky or swampy.On the tops of the North Urals and further to the east are common mountain tundra.
harsh climate of the tundra
Frosts in this natural area are held from 6 to 8 months of the year.In the spring with an abundance of sunlight and heat conditions of the polar day is not enough.Summer ends quickly, in August has already begun weather, rain and snow.Almost simultaneously with the winter polar night begins, the duration of up to six months.The sun does not appear above the horizon, but during the day there is a period reminiscent of dusk, when the sky is visible reddish streak of dawn.Environmental problems in the area of tundra have less to do with the severity of the climate, but with the nature of the vulnerability.A thin layer of soil is easily destroyed by caterpillars all-terrain wheels and runners of other modes of transport.Report root system leads to plant death.
Features vegetation
majority of flora on the tundra up creeping or pillow shape - they are pressed to the ground stems and leaves.It is easier to keep the vegetative organs under a thin blanket of snow and strong winds.Many environmental problems in the area of tundra due to the fact that the development, formation of fruits and seeds suitable only 2 short months of summer.Flowering plants have to adapt.Some switched to vegetative propagation, others retain fruit and seeds under the snow until next summer.The first option greatly increases the chances of the evolutionary survival of the species.If vegetative propagation is no problem because of the impossibility of pollination of flowers by insects or other animals.
In the tundra there are trees and shrubs, they also trail.Most often small forests of the polar willow, dwarf birch grow along the banks of rivers where the soil is better to thaw.In the tundra many kinds of berry bushes (cranberries, blueberries, cloudberries, cranberries).
problems tundra
significant part of tundra lies on the beach, but the plants are constantly lack of moisture.Rainfall in this area falls an average of 200 ml / year, mostly in the form of summer rains.Cold water is poorly absorbed by plant roots, besides, it does not leak into the soil of the permafrost.At low temperatures and low precipitation observed excess moisture, which contributes to environmental problems in the area of tundra.
Everywhere waterlogging occurs, impairing oxygen supply of underground plant organs.Formed tundra gley soils - a special type of substrate with low humus content and a large amount of moisture.With the destruction of the soil vegetation becomes poorer.Animals forced to migrate over large distances or to die from starvation.
Saving bonds in the tundra ecosystem
give a concrete example to illustrate the relationship between the natural ingredients in the tundra.One of the groups of organisms of this zone has been generally termed "reindeer moss".This is mainly moss, which refers to a type of lichen cladonia.With the reduction of the area occupied by them involve some environmental problems in the area of tundra.Deer feed on moss, reducing its range has a negative impact on the population status of various animals.Plantation reindeer moss violated in mining, road construction, residential areas and industrial plants.Here are the main problems in the ecosystem of the tundra in the human intervention:
- soil disturbance;
- loss of biodiversity;
- pollution of nature as a result of extraction of raw materials;
- accumulation of domestic and industrial waste;
- overgrazing on reindeer pastures;
- impoverishment of the fauna as a result of poaching.
to save the tundra introduced restrictions on grazing deer, environmentalists see to it that the flocks of time distilled to other areas.During the construction of oil and gas pipelines being taken to increase the number of common plants and animals.Is fighting with poachers, which actively joined the staff of tundra reserves and sanctuaries.Taken under protection rare and endangered flora and fauna.
