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Tundra
What is the tundra biome?
The tundra biome
Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra comes
from the Finnish word tunturi, meaning treeless plain.
It is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely
low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients,
and short growing seasons. Dead organic material
functions as a nutrient pool. The two major nutrients
are nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen is created by
biological fixation, and phosphorus is created by
precipitation.
Tundra along the Colville River, Alaska.
Characteristics of tundra include:
1. Extremely cold climate
2. Low biotic diversity
3. Simple vegetation structure
4. Limitation of drainage
5. Short season of growth and reproduction
6. Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material
7. Large population oscillations
Source: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra.php
Source:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra.php
Arctic Fox
This is a link to the World Book entry for the Arctic Fox:
http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar028860&st=arctic
+fox
Arctic Fox
The lush white coat of the arctic fox provides both warmth and camouflage in winter.
Photograph by Norbert Rosing
Map
Arctic Fox Range
Fast Facts
Type:
Mammal
Diet:
Omnivore
Average life span in the wild:
3 to 6 years
Size:
Head and body, 18 to 26.75 in (46 to 68 cm); tail, up to 13.75 in (35 cm)
Weight:
6.5 to 17 lbs (3 to 8 kg)
Group name:
Skulk or leash
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
The arctic fox is an incredibly hardy animal that can survive frigid Arctic temperatures as low as
–58°F (-50°C) in the treeless lands where it makes its home. It has furry soles, short ears, and a
short muzzle—all-important adaptations to the chilly clime. Arctic foxes live in burrows, and in a
blizzard they may tunnel into the snow to create shelter.
Arctic foxes have beautiful white (sometimes blue-gray) coats that act as very effective winter
camouflage. The natural hues allow the animal to blend into the tundra's ubiquitous snow and
ice. When the seasons change, the fox's coat turns as well, adopting a brown or gray
appearance that provides cover among the summer tundra's rocks and plants.
These colorings help foxes to effectively hunt rodents, birds, and even fish. But in winter prey
can be scarce on the ground. At such times, arctic foxes will follow the region's premier
predator—a polar bear—to eat the leftover scraps from its kills. Foxes will also eat vegetables
when they are available.
Like a cat's, this fox's thick tail aids its balance. But for an arctic fox the tail (or "brush") is
especially useful as warm cover in cold weather.
Female arctic foxes give birth each spring to a large litter of up to 14 pups.
The Arctic Fox: beautiful, elusive, mysterious
– and critically endangered
February 5, 2007
The arctic fox, Alopex lagopus, otherwise known as the polar fox, is one of Sweden’s most
threatened mammals and in danger of extinction everywhere in the European Union. Currently
the mainland European population stands at just 150 individuals. In summer 2006, just three
litters of foxes were born in Sweden, five in Norway and none at all in Finland. For this reason,
Nature Travels has chosen SEFALO, a joint project between Sweden, Finland and Norway, as its
conservation project to support for 2007.
What problems does the arctic fox face?
- Such a small population makes the species extremely vulnerable to changes in demographic
factors, or “accidents” such as an outbreak of disease.
-Large areas previously populated by arctic foxes are now empty, and remaining animals find it
difficult to find a non-related partner with which to breed.
- Arctic foxes are highly dependent on the natural population fluctuations of small mammals,
such as lemmings, on which they feed. These cycles of peaks and troughs tend to repeat every
four years, and a “bad” year for rodents can be disastrous for arctic fox populations.
- The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a strong, successful competitor, and is currently expanding its
range into territories inhabited by arctic foxes.
- Itself a top predator, the arctic fox is also a victim of predation, ironically from many species
which are themselves endangered, including the wolf, wolverine and golden eagle. Traditionally,
arctic foxes have been used by indigenous peoples as a source of meat and fur.
What can be done to conserve and enhance current arctic fox populations?
SEFALO is engaged in a number of activities to attempt to reverse the decline of arctic foxes in
Sweden, Norway and Finland:
-With the assistance of volunteers, population and behavioural data for arctic foxes is collected.
Some animals have been tagged with radio collars to allow their movements to be monitored and
to increase understanding of their behavioural patterns.
-A programme of supplementary feeding is being trialled in an attempt to increase the rates of
productivity and decrease mortality among juveniles. Birth and survival rates are then compared
with years when no feeding took place to assess the effectiveness of the strategy.
-In some cases control of the red fox population is necessary to safeguard the most valuable arctic
fox territories.
-In areas around arctic fox dens in Sweden, it is hoped that a ban on ptarmigan hunting will
reduce disturbance in some of the important arctic fox breeding grounds.
-Populations are monitored for disease and there is ongoing research into the cause of diseases
likely to affect the fox populations.
-A programme of public education aims to highlight the plight of the arctic fox and raise the
profile of the species as a priority for conservation.
With careful conservation measures, sufficient financial and public support, and a generous
amount of good fortune, we hope that the future for the arctic fox both in Sweden and elsewhere
will begin to turn a corner.
Nature Travels has a number of experiences in Sweden which take place in and around one of the
country’s most important remaining arctic fox strongholds – Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve – and
some of our partners in the area are actively involved in the SEFALO feeding project, delivering
supplementary food to the local fox populations when it is most needed.
Link to 54 slides of Actic Foxes – that’s way too many, but take a look at
a few”
http://www.arkive.org/arctic-fox/vulpes-lagopus/
Climate change likely culprit as arctic fox faces extinction
Posted on 10 October 2008 |
The arctic fox now appears to be extinct in Finland, and is down to extremely low levels in its
remaining home in Scandinavia. The plight of the fox is highlighted by its inclusion in the
International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. The arctic fox is
classified as critically endangered (CR) in Finland, Norway and Sweden, and within the European
Union.
The arctic fox, a smaller cousin of the red fox, was one of the first mammals to colonise Sweden
and Finland at the end of the Ice Age. As the ice retreated it remained in the mountain tundra
areas. High hunting pressure led to a drastic population decline in the early 1900's, from about
ten thousand to less than one hundred individuals.
The arctic fox has not recovered despite seventy years of protection. Without the conservation
work of WWF, this species would most likely have gone extinct in this region.
The major threats for this fox species are lack of rodents, and increased competition from the
red fox which takes over dens and kills the arctic fox. The increased abundance of red fox in the
tundra in northern regions is most likely caused by climate change. The increasing average
temperature has increased the tree cover in the region, and with the trees come the red foxes.
Although it faces local extinction, the arctic fox is not considered endangered in other parts of
its arctic range.
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Link to a video of Arctic Foxes playing with reindeer fur:
http://www.arkive.org/arctic-fox/vulpes-lagopus/video-17b.html
Arctic Fox Range
Source:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=%22arctic+fox%22+map&hl=en&safe=active&client=firefoxa&rls=org.mozilla:enUS:official&biw=971&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=psmEaSdOb_trFM:&imgrefurl=http://www.d
efenders.org/animal-habitat-fact-sheet/arcticfox%3Flightbox%3Drange&docid=eH1HlkxjslvA0M&imgurl=http://www.defenders.org/sites/de
fault/files/arctic-fox-rangemap.jpg&w=550&h=400&ei=eyGOT9C9C6HTiAKMgf2QDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=116&v
py=136&dur=2577&hovh=191&hovw=263&tx=100&ty=94&sig=103862801904354458406&pa
ge=1&tbnh=104&tbnw=143&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:69
Source: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=%22arctic+fox%22+chart&hl=en&safe=active&client=firefox-
a&rls=org.mozilla:enUS:official&biw=971&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=LC5l97QQlxRr3M:&imgrefurl=http://designeranimals2011.wiki
spaces.com/Arctic%2BFox%2B%2BDavid%2BThomson&docid=Llsy978dNNaWZM&imgurl=http://designeranimals2011.wikispaces.com/file/vie
w/Arctic_Fox_Diagram.jpg/238795329/800x440/Arctic_Fox_Diagram.jpg&w=800&h=440&ei=7SGOT4eBMaSYi
AK_ycyjDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=264&vpy=281&dur=1855&hovh=166&hovw=303&tx=121&ty=71&sig=103
862801904354458406&page=1&tbnh=80&tbnw=146&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0,i:95
Source: http://www.seppo.net/cartoons/displayimage.php?pid=732