Tundra - a unique natural area, is conveniently located north of the taiga zone and south of the Arctic wilderness.It is a huge area in extent with infinite expanse of permafrost, because of which the soil is covered with snow rarely melts completely.As a result, all the inhabitants of the area, including plants, are forced to survive in a harsh climate.For this reason, many of them are specially protected parts of nature tundra.Tell me more, what kind of facilities.
Climate and weather conditions in the tundra: Winter
Because we made a reservation that the tundra is characterized by a very harsh climate, we will tell about it in a nutshell.So, this winter the cold and treeless plain is protracted.Winter lasts about 6-8 or even 9 months.And during all this time waiting for mansions tundra freezing cold wind and even snow storms.
As with any polar zone, in the tundra are polar nights that planning occur in the middle or end of January and lasts 1-2 months.When it comes to the long-awaited polar day, the inhabitants of the area included in the specially protected parts of nature tundra inundated with strong north wind and snowstorm.The average temperature in winter reaches -30 degrees Celsius.
fall, spring and summer
Autumn on the tundra begins in September, spring - in May, and summer - in July.The shortest time of year in the subarctic climate zone is considered to be the summer.Here it flies quickly and almost imperceptibly.The average temperature in one of the most heated by the standards of the tundra month of July (sometimes August) is 5-10 degrees Celsius.
During the short summer in the land of the permafrost does not have time to warm up to the end.So, at a time when the sun radiates heat relatively strong, warm earth manages only 50 cm deep.All that remains below this layer, as practice shows, lies beneath the dense and frozen ground.For the same reason, the water got on the ground with precipitation, can not penetrate to a depth of more than half a meter.As a result, and there in the harsh climatic zone numerous lakes and marshes.What are the characteristics of nature tundra, we'll continue.
Flora permafrost
As you know, representatives of the flora in the frozen soil to survive oh how difficult.But despite this, in the tundra, you can find amazing plants and shrubs.For example, it looks interesting moss or lichen deer.Here grow and so delicious berries like blueberries, cloudberries and lingonberries.Also for tundra characterized by a large number of mosses and lichens, which are the favorite food of deer.
deserve special attention and trees tundra, among which there are such martyrs opportunists like willow and birch.Thus, both species of trees have small dimensions and are undersized species.Most of the plants in the area of fleeting summer have low growth and creeping along the ground crown, allowing them to safely tolerate the winter and enjoy the cool gusts of wind in spring and summer.
world around us: the tundra and its feathered inhabitants
in the tundra can be found ptarmigan that summer wears brown and colorful attire, and the winter dressed up in warm white "fur coat and boots" (that's what a tailand vegetation, completely covering the bird's legs).A whole year has not changed its snow-white plumage owl.Due to the large number of feathers on the body and limbs, this bird may be a long time to sit in one place, even in the dead of winter, and in a strong wind.
Animals that live in the tundra
Among animals there are fluffy tundra lemmings with short legs, a tail and small ears.It is noteworthy that these animals do not hibernate and thrive in the snow and below.Here you can also see the beautiful and fast foxes, deer with big horns and weighty, fox, wolf, hare, rodents, bighorn sheep, and others.Many of the inhabitants are threatened with extinction, and therefore placed in reserve tundra.
Other inhabitants of the tundra
Due to the large number of lakes and marshes, as well as excessive rainfall (throughout the year here falls to 200-300 mm) in the tundra are actively developing blood-sucking winged insects.In the very same waters float such large fish like omul, white salmon, whitefish and whitefish.
Environmental problems tundra
Conservancy tundra - this is an important problem for environmentalists around the world.It can be concluded, after analyzing the information available on this harsh construction site and other sites that perform the transportation and production of oil.
As a result of negligent attitude to work and unsafe practices occur frequently leaking fuel.This results in environmental pollution, destruction of plants and animals.
In addition, the territory of the tundra moved production train, after which garbage is destroying eventually the vegetation cover of the soil.Due to the destruction of vegetation killed the deer and other animals and birds.
What reserves are in the tundra?
Thanks to the coordinated work of ecologists and other specialists set up and created numerous nature reserves tundra.So, in the permafrost zone has several large parks that allow you to restore the natural balance of the territory and preserve endangered species of tundra dwellers.
For example, there are the following environmental objects:
- Lapland State Reserve.
- Taimyr Reserve.
- State Reserve "Wrangel Island".
- Altai Reserve.
What is specially protected parts of nature tundra, we describe below.
Understanding Lapland State Reserve
Lapland State Reserve - one of the most important natural sites in Europe.It has huge areas of untouched nature, where the freely moving animals and birds.It is located in the small village of the Murmansk region, and has a total area of 278,435 hectares of land.There are more than 198 species of birds, about 31 species of animals and 370 species of plants.
General information about the Taimyr Reserve
in specially protected parts of nature and the Taimyr tundra listed nature reserve, created in February 1979.It is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory in the area of the Taimyr Peninsula.It is found to 222 species of mosses and lichen approximately 265 plants, 116 species of birds, 15 species of fish and about 21 species of animals.
General of the State Reserve "Wrangel Island»
«Wrangel Island" - a large and beautiful nature reserve with a total area of 2,225,650 hectares, including the area of water area and the buffer zone.There are many mountains and hills, occupying about 2/3 of the whole territory.Under the protection of the reserve is situated about 641 species of plants, 169 species of birds and several species of animals.So, here thrive foxes and wolverines, bears, weasels, wolves, caribou and muskox.
General information about Altai Reserve
Another object of conservation is considered Altai Nature Reserve, located in the highlands of southern Siberia.It stretches for 2 000 000 hectares, which grow well all 1500 species of plants, many of which are listed as endangered.Here live about 70 species, among them 29 are endangered species.
