Antarctic Tundra
What are the characteristics of the Antarctic tundra?
Goal:
Goal:
The Antarctic tundra can be found on the opposite side of the world from the Arctic--surrounding the South Pole on the continent of Antarctica. It also exists on several island regions just off the coast of the Antarctic mainland.
The climate of the Antarctic tundra is very much like that of the Arctic. The plant species consist of a wide variety of lichens, mosses, liverworts, and terrestrial and aquatic algae species. However, there are only two known species of flowering plants in the Antarctic tundra. Unlike the Arctic, large mammals are completely absent here. Some sea mammals and sea birds, including seals and penguins, live near the shore in this ecosystem.
Click on the tabs below to compare the Arctic and Antarctic tundra ecosystems.
Location – Northern Hemisphere, surrounding the North Pole
Weather – cold temperatures, harsh winds, minimal rainfall
Plants – over 1700 species of plants
Animals – 48 known species of land mammals
Location – Southern Hemisphere, surrounding the South Pole
Weather – freezing temperatures, harsh winds
Plants – variety of lichens and moss but only two known species of flowering plants
Animals – 23 sea mammals and 61 species of birds--land mammals are completely absent
Using the information from the tab set above, answer the question below.
Compare the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems of the tundra.