Plant+Adaptations+(Arctic+Tundra)

In order to survive the fiercely cold temperatures and winds of the arctic tundra, plants must form specific adaptations that allow them to retain as much heat as possible. Some major adaptations that arctic plants have are short stature, hairy stems, waxy leaves, the ability of flowers to move with the sun, and rapid reproduction during the tundra's short growing season. The arctic soil lacks the nutrients and organic matter of soils found in other ecosystems. As a result, tundra plants are usually less than a foot tall. The plants’ short stature help them to absorb heat from the dark soil, which protects them from the harsh temperatures and winds of the tundra, and prevents them from freezing. Because their roots cannot break through the permafrost, or the thick layer of soil in the polar grasslands that remains frozen throughout the year, the roots of arctic plants are often short and grow sideways. Arctic plants also tend to grow in clumps, which protects them from the cold, wind, ice, and snow. Examples of small tundra plants include the Arctic crocus, lousewort, heather, and cress (D1). Heather (D1), and Arctic Willow (D2)

Many arctic plants, such as the Arctic crocus have hair on their stems, which helps to trap heat and protect the plant from wind. Plants in the tundra tend to have small waxy leaves retain water and heat amidst the dry atmosphere of the polar grasslands (D1). Because heat is a scarce commodity, many plants learn to conserve it as much as possible through by growing hair on their stems and waxy leaves. Arctic Crocus (D1), Labrador Tea (D2)

Plants such as the Arctic poppy have cup-shaped flowers that move with the sun; more sunlight reaches the middle of the flowers so that they grow more quickly. By moving with the sun, these plants can also take in more heat. Because they are so strongly adapted, tundra plants can grow and flower at lower temperatures than any other plants on Earth. They flower early in the summer, allowing them to mature and release seeds in the 50-60 day growing season, in which the sun shines throughout the day and night. (D1). This limited growing season has lead arctic plant species to adapt to their environment by means of rapid reproduction. (D1)

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