2.4.2

Interdependence of Cold Environments

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Fragility and Interdependence of Cold Environments

As almost all ecosystems are, polar and tundra biomes have lots of dependencies between different animals, animals & plants, and humans & wildlife.

Illustrative background for Plants, soil and animalsIllustrative background for Plants, soil and animals ?? "content

Plants, soil and animals

  • Although tundra soil is not nutrient-rich, it does contain some nutrients.
  • Plants like short grasses get their nutrients from the thin layer of tundra soil that is not permafrost.
  • Primary consumers (or animals) will eat the plants to survive.
  • Animals support the reproductive cycle of plants by pooing out the seeds of the plants, allowing new plants to grow.
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Plants, soil and marine life

  • Decomposition, decay and other processes happen slowly in cold environments.
  • The soil in the tundra is nutrient-poor and the ice in polar environments is frozen.
  • Lots of animals need to hunt for fish or interact with marine life because the soil is non-existent or so lacking in nutrients.
Illustrative background for Plants and permafrostIllustrative background for Plants and permafrost ?? "content

Plants and permafrost

  • More plants are able to grow in the tundra during the summer when temperatures are higher.
  • Permafrost is the plants' main source of water (beneath them). Plants shelter the permafrost from the Sun's radiation and plants absorb this. This means that the permafrost does not melt in the summer. But climate change could affect this.
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Humans, plants and animals

  • Humans need water to survive and crops need water to grow.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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