on the northern edge of Europe, Asia and America reigns tundra.In the Southern Hemisphere, it is only found in some Antarctic islands.The tundra zone stretches along the northern borders of Russia, washed by the icy Arctic Ocean.
unique and harsh natural area
In appearance it is a dark, inhospitable and desert areas.Nine months of the year here prevails winter long and boring stretches polar night.Before treeless, bare ground comes cold dim light of the moon.Sparingly twinkle lone star.The good news is a rare sight, fairy-tale beauty of the aurora borealis.
On this lifeless soil Bound permafrost for tens, and sometimes hundreds, of meters deep, grow rare mosses and lichens lonely.A little to the south settled down and stunted shrubs take root in peaty soil.
In order to answer the question of whether there is in the mountain tundra, polar night, it should deal with the definition of this ecosystem.
Amazing biome
mountain tundra, also referred to as "high mountain", referred to the current view of the ecosystem in a vertical pattern zones.The area of this natural biome stretches from snow and ice to the mountain-belt.Its boundary corresponds to balk forests and passes through snow.Frontier climate zone - the average summer isotherm + 10 °.This zone is characterized by high-altitude mountain ranges for sub-arctic and temperate zones.
main differences from the arctic mountain tundra - the best soils and poor drainage of water-logged soil.
weather of the northern lands
scientific explanation is there in the mountain tundra, polar night, is the climate of the area.These regions are characterized extremely low temperatures down under adiabatic gradient of 1 ° C for every 100-200 m height.For mountain tundra typical negative average annual air temperature.There prevails a strong wind, and solar radiation characterized by high activity.The zone is characterized by thin air, uneven distribution, intensive change of its humidity.Snow cover is distributed non-uniformly.
clarify, whether there is in the mountain tundra, polar night, and will help the specific location of the zone.This natural phenomenon occurs on the mountain areas, which are geographically in the Arctic Circle.The polar night does not happen, if the high mountains situated in the more southern areas of natural, which is inherent in a temperate climate.Indeed, in this area the alternation of day and night is the same as in the areas of coniferous and deciduous forests.A basic condition for the onset of the polar night is the only constant presence of low temperatures.And the only reason for this phenomenon is the geographical latitude, though the northern, southern though.The main thing - the maximum distance from the north or south of the Arctic Circle to the poles.
Winter: bitter cold and impenetrable darkness
sort out whether there is in the mountain tundra, polar night, will try to set its definition and length.This natural phenomenon is called the period when the sun does not appear over the horizon more than a day.This is a consequence of the inclination angle of 23,5 ° axis of rotation of the planet to the plane of the ecliptic.The shortest period of time (about two days), polar night lasts at the latitude of the Arctic Circle.The maximum duration of the phenomenon - about half a year, that is peculiar to the South Pole.
Polar night in tundra lasts an average of 1-2 months and takes place in the winter.This season is very harsh weather conditions.Thus, the average January temperature is kept at the level of -25-35 ° C.Snow-covered mountains, permeates icy wind in winter look lifeless.Even permanent residents of mountain tundra - reindeer - in search of food often otkochevyvaet south.Heavy conditions in the rugged area, and the polar night - a challenge to the nature of all living things.
