Tundra has the shortest growing seasons
(spring and summer) of all the biomes. Dead plants and animal material serve as
nutrients for new plants to grow. Therefore, the plants in these
regions must be specially prepared to survive during the long cold
months.
Typical
arctic vegetation comprises cotton grass, sedge, and dwarf heath,
together with associated mosses and lichens. These plant
communities are adapted to sweeping winds and to soil disturbance
from frost heaves. They carry on photosynthesis at low
temperatures, low light intensities, and long periods of daylight.
Alpine plant communities consist of mat-forming and
cushion-forming plants, rare in the Arctic. These plants are
adapted to gusting winds, heavy snows, and widely fluctuating
temperatures. They carry on photosynthesis under brilliant light
in short periods of daylight.
::: SEE Stuff
:::
Can
you believe this tiny little flower can survive in
the tundra?
