With the arrival of spring, when the first warm rays of the sun help the tundra to shed its winter attire for a short time, the area turns into a bright colorful carpet. The first flowers of saxifrage, saxifrage, and ice siversia appear on the hills; sedge and cotton grass bloom in the swamps. Behind these firstborns of the polar spring, Kamchatka rhododendron blooms magnificently. The buds, swollen since last year, are in a hurry to turn into buds and bloom. Many plants spend the whole summer gaining strength, but as soon as the flowers appear, the first snow covers them, preventing the seeds from ripening. They will ripen only by next spring.
In the fall, strong mushrooms appear that do not rot in these places - boletus mushrooms. Here they are called birch caps. They are often taller than the trees they grow near.
In river valleys and on slopes sheltered from the wind, dwarf birches, polar willow, and northern alder grow, which are easily confused with grass. Their height does not exceed 30–50 cm. The tundra is rich in lingonberries, blueberries and junipers. In winter, shrubs are covered with snow, which protects them from frostbite.
Polar willow.
Those who believe that the tundra is lifeless are wrong. No, she is beautiful and cheerful in her own way.
Tundra flora natural area not rich. First of all, this is due to harsh climatic conditions. Tundra landscapes can be swampy, peaty and rocky. Fertile soil, ideal for plant development, is not here. They grow in swampy areas different kinds moss. Among the mosses there are entire fields of lingonberries, cloudberries and blueberries. By autumn, many fruits ripen in these berry fields. Plants similar to moss grow on the peat and rocky soils of the tundra. One of these is moss. This plant covers vast areas of the tundra. There is so much reindeer moss that all year round Whole herds of wild deer feed on it.
Not only mosses and reindeer moss are found in the tundra. Here, in places well protected from strong winds, in the valleys of rivers or lakes, you can find large meadows where a variety of grasses reach a height of half a meter.
The tundra is also characterized by a complete absence of forests. The only trees found are the polar willow and dwarf birch. These trees are more similar to shrubs. The dwarf birch is so small that its thin, curved trunk practically lies and hides in moss or reindeer moss. Only small branches with miniature leaves are raised upward. The polar willow is even smaller than the birch. During snowfalls, all its branches are covered with snow.
Animals of the tundra
The most numerous inhabitants of the tundra belong to the class of birds. Especially in summer, a large number of geese, ducks and. In lakes and rivers they look for food, mainly insects, plants and small fish. There are so many birds in the tundra that some of its reservoirs are either white with geese or black with ducks. The screams and cackling of birds can be heard everywhere.
In summer, the tundra is infested with midges and mosquitoes. They rush through the air like clouds, attack animals and people, and give them no rest either night or day. To get rid of annoying insects, people light fires or dress in special suits.
During severe winters, most birds fly to the southern regions. It is not uncommon for numerous herds of reindeer to pass through here. With the help of their hooves, they dig moss out of the ground. Sometimes you can see arctic foxes, musk oxen, lemmings and stoats here. Occasionally a polar owl is seen in the tundra. Her white, and therefore the partridges and pieds that she hunts simply do not notice her against the background of the snow.
Most of the animals of the tundra are covered with thick plumage or fur. Their winter color, as a rule, turns white, which helps them hide from enemies or sneak closer to their prey.
The vegetation of the tundra and forest-tundra, its forms, methods of plant reproduction, and adaptability to survival largely depend on the features that characterize these zones.
Geographical position
The location of the tundra zone falls on Earth. On the Eurasian mainland it stretches along the entire coastline of the seas of the Arctic Ocean for tens of thousands of kilometers. The northern coast of mainland North America is also occupied by tundra. The length of the zone from north to south is on average about 500 kilometers. In addition, tundra occupies some islands near Antarctica. In the mountains, where it is expressed altitudinal zone, mountain tundras are formed. Taking into account all the territories where the zone is located, its total area on the planet is calculated. It is about 3 million km2.
Forest-tundra is the zone where in small areas tundra vegetation and taiga vegetation. Forest-tundra stretches from west to east to the south of the tundra on the continents of Eurasia and North America. The length of the strip from north to south ranges from 30 to 400 kilometers. On its southern borders the forest-tundra turns into a forest zone.
Climatic conditions affecting plant growth
The climate of the tundra and forest-tundra zone is very harsh. The duration of winter is from 6 to 8 months a year. During all this time there is a constant snow cover, the air temperature sometimes drops to 50 degrees below zero. The polar night lasts about two months. Strong cold winds and snow storms almost never subside.
Summer in the tundra is short and cool. Frosts and precipitation in the form of snow are possible. Despite the surface of the earth, it does not receive much heat, since the sun does not rise high above the horizon and sends scattered rays to the earth. To survive in such conditions, tundra vegetation must adapt.
The influence of permafrost on the species composition of vegetation
In the warm season, in the tundra zone the soil thaws only to a depth of no more than 50 centimeters. Next comes a layer of permafrost. This factor is one of the decisive factors in the spread of plants in the tundra zone. The same factor influences their species diversity.
Permafrost has a significant impact on the terrain. Freezing and thawing of rocks leads to their deformation. As a result of the heaving process, surface forms such as bumps appear. Their height is no more than two meters above sea level, but the appearance of such forms also affects the vegetation of the tundra and its distribution over a certain territory.
The influence of soil on the species diversity of vegetation
In the tundra and forest-tundra zones, high temperatures are observed. It is especially noticeable during the period of snow melting. Water cannot penetrate deep due to the presence of permafrost. Its evaporation is also not very intense due to the low air temperature. For these reasons, meltwater and precipitation accumulate on the surface, forming large and small swamps.
High swampiness, the presence of permafrost, and the predominance of low temperatures make it difficult for chemical and biological processes to occur in the soil. It contains little humus and ferric oxide accumulates. Tundra-gley soils are suitable for the growth of only certain plant species. But tundra vegetation adapts to such living conditions. A person who has visited these parts during the flowering period of plants will have indelible impressions for many years - the blooming tundra is so beautiful and attractive!
In the forest-tundra, the natural fertile layer of the earth is also thin. The soil is poor nutrients, it is characterized by high acidity. When cultivating land, a large amount of mineral and organic fertilizers. In the treated areas of the forest-tundra, there is a more diverse variety of herbaceous vegetation, trees and shrubs.
Types
The vegetation of the tundra and forest-tundra largely depends on the type. Their landscapes seem monotonous only at first glance.
The hummocky and hilly tundras occupy the most large areas. Among the swamps, the plant turf forms mounds and hummocks, on which many species of plants take root. A special type of tundra is polygonal. Here you can see them in the form of large polygons, which are broken by depressions and frost cracks.
There are other approaches to classifying such a natural zone as the tundra. What vegetation predominates in a certain area will be the type of tundra. For example, moss-lichen tundra consists of areas covered with different types of mosses and lichens. There are also shrub tundras, where thickets of polar willow, dwarf pine, and bushy alder are common.
Plants
As mentioned earlier, the vegetation of the tundra and forest-tundra had to adapt to the harsh climatic conditions of the Earth's subarctic zone. Otherwise, her life and development would be impossible here.
The adaptability of tundra and forest-tundra plants is expressed in the following. Most of the fauna are perennials. Annual plants with a short summer duration, they would not be able to complete their life cycle. Only a small part of plants reproduces by seeds. The main way to prolong life is vegetative.
The short stature of tundra plants allows them to survive during strong winds. This is also facilitated by the creeping nature of the shoots and their ability to intertwine with each other, forming something like soft pillow. IN winter period all parts of the plants are under the snow. This saves them from severe frosts. Most tundra and forest-tundra plants have a waxy coating on their leaves, which promotes moderate evaporation of moisture from their surface.
The vegetation of the tundra, photographs of individual species of which are available in the article, is represented by perennial frost-resistant grasses, buttercups, cotton grass, dandelions, and poppies that dominate the lowlands and swamps. The trees include dwarf birch and bushy alder. These tree species in the forest-tundra can already reach a height of three meters or more. Among the shrubs, blueberries, cloudberries, blueberries, and lingonberries are widespread. Mosses and lichens take root at higher elevations, many of which are the main type of food for the animals living in these places.
Forest-tundra and taiga
The vegetation of the tundra and taiga is very different from each other. Forest-tundra is a transition zone between them. On the territory of the forest-tundra, among the treeless space, you can find islands of thickets of spruce, birch, larch and other tree species.
The forest-tundra zone is unique, since tundra vegetation and taiga vegetation are found on its territory, which becomes more noticeable as you move south. Forest areas consisting of individual species of trees and shrubs create the most favorable conditions for the growth of herbaceous vegetation. Thanks to trees and shrubs, wind speed is reduced and more snow is retained, which covers the plants, saving them from freezing.
Study of vegetation of the subarctic zone
The vegetation cover of the tundra and forest-tundra has not yet been fully studied. Systematic scientific description of the species growing here began only in the middle of the last century.
To continue this work, special expeditions are being created today. During them, scientists are also trying to establish how the vegetation of the tundra and forest-tundra is influenced by the animals living in these zones. They want answers to questions about whether plant species diversity changes in areas protected from the presence of certain species of animals, how long it takes for full recovery destroyed vegetation cover. So far, scientists have not found answers to all questions regarding the natural balance in the subarctic zone of the planet.
Fauna protection
The nature of the tundra and forest-tundra is very vulnerable. It takes dozens of years, and in some cases centuries, to restore the soil layer and vegetation cover.
Man has long realized that it is he who has a detrimental effect on the nature of the tundra and forest-tundra. Trying to atone for their guilt, people created a number of nature reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. They are located both in Russia and other countries of the world.
The tundra zone extends in the north of our country in a continuous strip from the Kola Peninsula to Chukotka. It occupies about 14% of Russia's territory. The southern border of the tundra zone in the European part of the country (except for the Kola Peninsula) and in Western Siberia almost coincides with the Arctic Circle. IN Eastern Siberia it is sharply pushed to the north, and in the extreme east of the country, on the contrary, it descends far to the south, reaching the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.
The living conditions of plants in the tundra are quite harsh. Winter lasts 7 - 8 months, and summer is short and cool. The average temperature of the warmest summer month (July) usually does not exceed + 10 °C. The life span of plants is very short - only 3-4 months. Even at the height of summer, in July, there are frosts and snow on some days. Sudden returns of frost catch plants at a time when they are in a state of active growth and full flowering.
There is little precipitation in the tundra, usually no more than 250 mm per year. However, in cold climates this relatively small amount is more than enough. Much more water comes from the atmosphere than can evaporate from the earth's surface. Tundra soils are provided with abundant water. The bulk of precipitation occurs in the summer; in winter there is very little precipitation (about 10% of the annual amount). There are no heavy downpours; it usually just drizzles. There are especially many rainy days in autumn.
The snow cover in the tundra is very shallow - on level ground it is usually no more than 15-30 cm. It barely covers low-growing bushes and shrubs. Strong winds completely blow away the snow from hillocks and elevations, exposing the soil. The surface of the snow is constantly in motion under the influence of the wind. The mass of tiny ice crystals that make up the snow moves at high speed in the horizontal direction, exerting a strong mechanical effect on everything located above the snow cover. This powerful stream of solid ice particles can not only destroy or damage plant shoots protruding above the snow - it even grinds rocks. Mechanical effect of snow driven strong winds, the so-called snow corrosion, prevents tundra plants from growing any tall. The flow of ice crystals seems to trim them. Only in deep depressions, which in winter are filled to the brim with snow, can relatively tall shrubs be found (they can be as tall as a person).
Wind speed in the tundra can reach 40 m/sec. This wind is so strong that it knocks a person off his feet. In winter, the wind affects plants mainly mechanically (through corrosion). But in summer it has a predominantly physiological effect, increasing evaporation from the aboveground organs of plants.
Permafrost is widespread throughout almost the entire territory of the tundra zone. The soil thaws in summer to a shallow depth - no more than 1.5-2 m, and often much less. Below is a permanently frozen pound. Permafrost has a huge impact on tundra vegetation. This influence is mostly negative. The close proximity of cold, ice-bound soil limits the deep growth of plant roots and forces them to be located only in a thin surface layer of soil. Permafrost serves as an aquifer, preventing moisture from seeping down and causing waterlogging in the area. Tundra soils usually have well-defined signs of swampiness: a peaty layer on the surface, underneath a bluish gley horizon. Soil temperature in the tundra in summer time falls quickly with depth, and this also adversely affects plant life. The surface of the vegetation cover, even well north of the Arctic Circle, can heat up in summer to + 30 °C or more, while the soil already at a depth of 10 cm is quite cold - no more than +10 °C. Thawing of tundra soils at the beginning of summer is slow, because the upper horizons are usually penetrated by layers of ice that absorb a lot of heat. Therefore, tundra plants develop in the summer under conditions of a very special light regime. The sun does not rise high, but for many days it shines around the clock. Thanks to round-the-clock lighting, plants manage to receive quite a lot of light even during a short growing season - not much less than in mid-latitudes. The light intensity in the Far North is relatively high due to the high transparency of the atmosphere. Tundra plants are well adapted to long days; they develop well under this unique light regime. Short-day plants cannot develop normally in tundra conditions.
Thus, in the tundra, among many factors unfavorable for plant life, one of the most important is lack of heat. Summer here is too short and cold, the soil thaws to a shallow depth and does not warm up well. The air in summer is also often quite cold, and only on the surface of the soil, when the sun is shining, is it relatively warm. Consequently, in the tundra only the most favorable conditions for plant life are upper layer soil and the lowest layer of air adjacent to the earth's surface. Both layers measure only a few centimeters. It is not surprising, therefore, that many tundra plants are very short, they are spread out on the ground, and their root systems They grow mainly in the horizontal direction and almost do not go in depth. In the tundra there are many plants with leaves collected in a basal rosette, creeping shrubs and shrubs. All these plants due to their short stature the best way They use the heat of the ground layer of air and protect themselves from excessive evaporation caused by strong winds.
Let's get acquainted in more detail with the flora of our tundras.
A typical tundra is a treeless space with low and not always continuous vegetation cover. It is based on mosses and lichens, against which low-growing plants develop. flowering plants- shrubs, shrubs, herbs. There are no trees in the real tundra - the living conditions here are too harsh for them. During the short and cold summer, young shoots do not have time to fully form. protective layer cover tissue, necessary for normal overwintering (without such a layer, young branches die in winter from loss of water). Conditions for overwintering trees in the tundra are extremely unfavorable: strong drying winds, snow corrosion, which systematically “cuts” young trees and does not allow them to rise above the snow.
Another important circumstance is also important - low temperature tundra soil in summer, which does not allow the roots to replenish large water losses aboveground part wood during evaporation (the so-called physiological dryness of tundra soils).
Only in the very south of the tundra zone, in more favorable climatic conditions, can individual trees be found. They grow against the background of characteristic tundra vegetation and stand quite far from each other, forming the so-called forest-tundra.
Mosses and lichens play a very important role in the vegetation cover of the tundra.
There are many types of them here, and they often form a continuous carpet over vast areas. Most mosses and lichens found in the tundra are not associated in their distribution exclusively with the tundra zone. They can also be found in forests. These are, for example, many green mosses (pleurocium, chylocomium, cuckoo flax) (lichens of the genus Cladonia (this includes deer moss and other related and similar species). However, there are also specific tundra species of mosses and lichens.
Both mosses and lichens tolerate the harsh conditions of the tundra. These low-growing, unpretentious plants can overwinter under the protection of even a thin snow cover, and sometimes without it at all. The soil layer as a source of water and nutrients is almost not needed for mosses and lichens - they get everything they need mainly from the atmosphere. They do not have real roots, and only thin thread-like processes develop, the main purpose of which is to attach plants to the soil.Finally, mosses and lichens, due to their short stature, make the best use of the ground-level, warmest layer of air in the summer.
The bulk of flowering plants in the tundra are shrubs, dwarf shrubs and perennial herbs. Shrubs differ from shrubs only in their smaller size - they are almost the same in height as small herbs. But nevertheless, their branches become lignified, covered on the outside with a thin layer of protective cork tissue and bear wintering buds. It is enough to draw a clear line between shrubs and shrubs difficult.
On flat areas of the tundra, where the snow cover is shallow, both shrubs and shrubs are low and do not rise above the snow. Among these plants we find some dwarf species of willows (for example, grass willow), wild rosemary, blueberry, crowberry, and dwarf birch. It often happens that shrubs and shrubs are located in the thickness of a thick moss-lichen cover, almost without rising above it. These plants seem to seek protection from mosses and lichens (in the forest the situation is completely different). Some of the shrubs and shrubs are evergreen (crowberry, lingonberry, wild rosemary), others shed their leaves for the winter (various willows, dwarf birch, blueberry, arcticus, etc.).
Almost all herbaceous plants of the tundra are perennial.
Perennial herbaceous plants of the tundra are characterized by short stature. Among them there are some grasses (squat fescue, alpine meadow grass, arctic bluegrass, alpine foxtail, etc.) and sedges (for example, hard sedge). There are also a few legumes (astragalus umbelliferum, common pennyweed, and common oleaginus). However, most species belong to the so-called forbs - representatives of various families of dicotyledonous plants. From this group of plants we can name the viviparous knotweed, the Eder's grass, the European and Asian swimworts, rosea rhodiola, alpine cornflower, woodland and white-flowered geraniums. Feature tundra herbs - large, brightly colored flowers. Their colors are very diverse - white, yellow, crimson, orange, blue, etc. When the tundra blooms, it looks like a motley colorful carpet. The tundra usually blooms immediately, suddenly - after the first warm days. And many plants bloom at the same time.
Many representatives of the tundra flora have adaptations aimed at reducing evaporation in the summer. The leaves of tundra plants are often small, and therefore the evaporating surface is small. The underside of leaves, where the stomata are located, is often covered with dense pubescence, which prevents too much air movement near the stomata and, therefore, reduces water loss.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most important tundra plants.
Dwarf birch, or dwarf birch (Vegina papa). The dwarf birch bears little resemblance to our ordinary, familiar birch, although both of these plants are close relatives ( different types of the same kind). The height of a dwarf birch is small - rarely more than half a person's height. And it grows not as a tree, but as a branchy bush. Its branches rise slightly upward, and often even spread across the surface of the ground. In short, the birch tree is truly dwarf. Sometimes it is so small that its creeping shoots are almost entirely hidden in the thickness of the moss-lichen carpet, and only leaves are visible on the surface. It must be said that the leaves of a dwarf birch are not at all the same as those of an ordinary birch. Their shape is round, and the width is often greater than the length. And they are relatively small in size - like small copper coins. Along the edge of the leaf there are small semicircular projections one after another (botanists call this edge of the leaf crenate). The leaves are dark green, glossy above, and paler, light green below. In autumn, the leaves become beautifully colored - they turn bright red. Thickets of dwarf birch are unusually colorful at this time of year; they always surprise with their bright crimson color.
Seeing a dwarf birch branch with leaves for the first time, few of us would say that it is a birch. Even if we notice earrings on a branch, it will also be difficult to determine that in front of us is a birch tree. Like the plant itself, these earrings are dwarf, very short - their length is no more than a fingernail. And their shape is not at all the same as that of an ordinary birch - oval or elongated-ovoid. When ripe, the earrings crumble into separate parts - small three-lobed scales and tiny, nut-like fruits, equipped with a narrow membranous edge. In this respect, the dwarf birch differs little from the ordinary birch.
Dwarf birch is one of the most common tundra plants. It can be found in almost the entire tundra zone. It is especially abundant in the southern part of the tundra, where it often forms thickets. In summer, deer feed on its leaves. A local population collects larger specimens of the plant for fuel.
In the North, dwarf birch is often called dwarf birch. This name comes from the Nenets word “era”, which means “shrub”.
Blueberry, or gonobobel (Uasstsht iN§tosht). This is the name of one of the low tundra shrubs (its height rarely exceeds 0.5 m). Distinctive feature This plant has a bluish tint to the foliage. The shape and size of the leaves are almost the same as those of lingonberries, but relatively thin and delicate. They appear in the spring and fall off by autumn. Blueberries, unlike lingonberries, are deciduous shrubs.
Blueberry flowers are inconspicuous, dim, whitish, sometimes with pink tint. They are no larger than a pea, their corolla is almost spherical, shaped like a very wide jug.” The flowers are located on the branches so that the corolla opening is directed downwards. There are 4-5 small teeth along the edge of the hole. The denticles represent the ends of the petals (along the rest of the length the petals are fused into one whole).
Blueberry fruits are bluish, round berries with a bluish bloom. They resemble blueberries, but are larger. The pulp of the fruit is not watery, as a result this plant sometimes called crowberry.
Cloudberry (Kubus cataetoris) is the closest relative of raspberry (another species of the same genus). However, this is not a shrub, but a perennial herbaceous plant. Every spring, a short, erect stem with several leaves and only one flower grows from a thin rhizome in the soil. By winter, the entire above-ground part of the plant dies, and in the spring another shoot grows again. Cloudberries are different from raspberries in many ways. Its stems are devoid of thorns, the leaves are rounded-angular (shallowly 5-lobed). The flowers are much larger than raspberries, with five white petals pointing towards different sides. Cloudberries are unlike raspberries in one more respect: they are dioecious plants. Some of its specimens always bear only male, sterile flowers, others - only female ones, from which fruits are subsequently formed. Interestingly, male flowers are larger than female ones; they can be up to 3 cm in diameter.
Cloudberry fruits are similar in structure to raspberry fruits: each of them consists of several small juicy fruits fused together into one whole. An individual fruit is somewhat similar to a tiny cherry: there is pulp on the outside and a pit on the inside. Botanists call such a simple fruit a drupe, and the entire complex cloudberry fruit is a complex drupe. Raspberries have exactly the same type of fruit.
However, according to appearance The cloudberry fruit bears little resemblance to the raspberry fruit. Its individual particles are much larger than those of raspberries, and the color of the fruit is completely different. At the beginning of ripening, the fruits are red; when fully ripe, they are orange, like wax. Ripe cloudberry fruits have a pleasant taste and are highly valued by local residents, who collect them in the tundra in large quantities. The fruits contain from 3 to 6% sugar, citric and malic acids. They are eaten mainly steamed and soaked; they are also used to make jam.
Lichen moss, or reindeer moss (C1ac1osha gangireppa). This is one of our largest lichens, its height reaches 10-15 cm. An individual moss plant resembles some kind of fancy tree in miniature - it has a thicker “trunk” rising from the ground, and thinner winding “branches”. Both the trunk and branches gradually become thinner and thinner towards the ends. Their ends almost completely disappear - they are no thicker than a hair. If you put several of these plants next to each other on black paper, you get a beautiful white lace.
Resin moss has a whitish color. It is due to the fact that the bulk of the lichen consists of the thinnest colorless tubes - fungal hyphae. But if we look at a cross-section of the main “stem” of moss under a microscope, we will see not only fungal hyphae. Near the surface of the “stem” there is a thin layer of tiny emerald green balls - microscopic cells, algae. Resin moss, like other lichens, consists of fungal hyphae and algae cells.
When wet, moss is soft and elastic. But after drying, it hardens and becomes very brittle and crumbles easily. The slightest touch is enough for pieces to break off from the lichen. These tiny fragments are easily transported by the wind and can give rise to new plants. It is with the help of such random fragments that moss mainly reproduces.
Resin moss, like other lichens, grows slowly. It grows in height only a few millimeters per year, although its size is quite large. Because of slow growth moss, the same tundra pasture cannot be used for several years in a row; one has to constantly move to new areas. If deer in the tundra eat moss, it takes quite a long time (10-15 years) to restore the lichen cover.
Reindeer moss is of great economic importance. It is known to serve as one of the most important forage plants for deer in the tundra. Interestingly, deer unmistakably find it by smell even in winter under a layer of snow.
Fauna of the tundra
The fauna in the tundra is very peculiar and differs in some features from animals Far North. They are not picky about food. Animals have thick fur, and birds have fluffy plumage. Animals change color: in summer they are light brown to match the color of the vegetation, and in winter they are white or light gray to match the color of snow.
Typical animals of the tundra are the arctic fox, lemming, reindeer, ptarmigan, polar wolf and snowy owl.
The Arctic fox hunts pieds and polar partridges. He has very valuable fur. Reindeer are not afraid of frosts and snowstorms. Wide hooves allow him to run through the snow without falling through and rake the snow in search of food.
In summer, countless mosquitoes, midges, and gadflies appear in the tundra. There are so many of them that you can’t work in the tundra without mosquito nets; they bite and get into your eyes, nose, and mouth.
At this time, many birds fly here to nest: geese, swans, ducks, waders. Many of them feed on insects.
The tundra has a harsh climate that is not at all suitable for ordinary plants. Therefore, here you will not find tall trees and abundant green vegetation. This territory with low-growing, sparse flora stretches in a wide strip off the coast of the Arctic Ocean.
There are long, cold winters with icy winds. Summer is short, cool and the soil has time to thaw no more than a meter. The flora and fauna of the tundra are forced to adapt to these harsh conditions.
Its typical landscapes are swampy, peaty, and rocky. They are covered by creeping along the ground dwarf plants- elfin trees. Berries beloved by many: blueberries, lingonberries are its inhabitants. Useful cloudberries, moss, dwarf birch, dwarf willow - tundra plants. We will talk to you about some of them today.
Famous plants of the tundra
Reindeer moss:
And reindeer moss got its name for a reason. During long winters it is the main source of food for reindeer, lemmings, deer, musk deer and other inhabitants of these places. Resin moss is rich in carbohydrates, essential nutrients and is well digestible by animals. Deer find it even under a dense layer of snow and eat it from stones and tree trunks.
In addition, local residents use reindeer moss to additionally feed their pets. For example, it is added to feed for cows and pigs.
Dwarf birch:
It is also a well-known inhabitant of the tundra. The dwarf birch is very different from the beautiful, slender tree we are used to. In the tundra it is a deciduous, spreading, branched shrub from 10 to 70 cm in height. The leaves of the dwarf birch are round and jagged. In season it becomes covered with oblong flower and then fruit catkins. With the onset of warmth, it blooms even before the leaves appear. This interesting plant widespread in the polar-Arctic region throughout Siberia, also covering some areas of Europe and America.
Dwarf birch grows throughout the area. You will find it in mossy swamps, forests, and alpine areas. There this plant forms real thickets. Local residents call them yerniks. They use bushes for heating their homes, and reindeer eat them with pleasure. In protected areas, dwarf birch is under state protection.
Dwarf willow:
Dwarf, polar willow - very unusual plant, no more than 50-60 cm high. It can often be found in the tundra. It grows in groups, sometimes covering the ground with a continuous carpet. Although the dwarf willow is very small, it still belongs to the tundra shrubs. Although it looks more like ordinary grass. Harsh climatic conditions forced the dwarf willow, like a dwarf tree, to creep along the surface of the soil.
With the onset of the short polar spring, young shoots of willow, peeled from the bark, can be eaten. Its young leaves, flowering catkins, and peeled roots are quite edible for people and even useful. They can be eaten raw. Even the trunks of the polar willow are cleared of bark, boiled well and eaten.
All parts of the plant are rich in vitamin C and are quite nutritious. And, of course, this plant is an excellent food for deer. They dig out willow, like reindeer moss, from under deep snow. Cold, harsh winter Hares and rodents feed on its buds, shoots, and bark.
cloudberry
When talking about tundra plants, one cannot fail to mention cloudberries. This creeping herbaceous shrub plant lines the ground near the swamps with a wide carpet. With the onset of spring, red berries appear on it. But they are not yet mature. And they will ripen at the end of July and August. Then the berries turn orange. Therefore, cloudberries received another name - swamp amber.
This is one of the favorite berries of the inhabitants of the north, where there is a tradition of preparing cloudberry pies for holidays and important events. Guests are greeted and seen off with pies and cloudberry jam.
The berries are not very tasty, but very healthy. They contain a lot of vitamin C, carotene, and pectins. There are tannins and valuable organic acids. Thanks to this, cloudberry has a pronounced phytoncidal, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and diuretic effect.
Its antiscorbutic properties have been known since ancient times. Local residents prepare medicinal remedies from the berries and leaves to treat coughs and colds.
Cloudberry is an effective multivitamin plant. Its berries and leaves are used for the treatment and prevention of vitamin deficiencies. Therefore, local residents store it for future use. In winter, this indispensable tonic is used in the diet. Berries are especially useful for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. They are included in the diet of elderly, weakened people.
They are effective under increased physical and mental stress. They often saved people who found themselves in extreme situations from starvation.
As you can see, the tundra is not a lifeless desert, as it might seem at first glance. The tundra plants cloudberry, reindeer moss, dwarf birch, and dwarf willow are not the only ones there. Not so rich here vegetable world, as in other, fertile parts of the planet. But he is no less interesting. Of course, it should be studied, protected and protected.
