Human Impact on Alaskan Tundra (1).pptx

How is human behavior affect the tundra

1. Teacher: Salve Mae A. Suelo SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER instructional video GOOD MORNING STUDENTS!

2. Human Impact on Alaskan Tundra

3. Define what is Tundra? In physical geography, Tundra is an area where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. Tundra (from the Finnish term “ Tunturi ” means “treeless heights”) refers to the treeless ecosystem where winters are long and cold, and summers are short and (usually) chilly.

4. Tundra is usually refers only to the areas where the subsoil is permafrost, or permanently frozen soil

5. Three (3) types of Tundra: Arctic Tundra (high latitude tundra) Antarctic Tundra Alpine Tundra (high altitude tundra)

6. ARCTIC TUNDRA Arctic tundra is a landscape of amazing contrasts. View it from a distance, or visit in midwinter, and you might think it is barren. It’s not. Though treeless and often bitter cold.

7. ANTARCTIC TUNDRA The Antarctic tundra is very similar to the Arctic, only it is located on Antarctica and its surrounding islands such as the Falkland Islands . Much of Antarctica's resources are either predicted or inaccessible because of the inability to explore the continent thoroughly due to its harsh conditions. Natural Resources:  Antarctic Ice contains the world's largest source of fresh water Coal and Petroleum reserves Minerals such as cobalt and nickel Environmental Threats: -Global warming is causing the melting of Antarctic ice -Ozone depletion at the poles allows harmful ultraviolet radiation -Air pollution contaminates lichen

8. Alpine Tundra The Alpine Tundra is much like Arctic, only it is at elevations above the tree line. It occurs in mountains around the world such as the White Mountains pictured below . Producers: grasses, sedges, and forbs Primary consumers (Herbivores): chipmunks and pika Secondary Consumers (Omnivores/Carnivores): badgers and marmots Tertiary Consumers (Carnivores): bobcats and coyotes Decomposers: earth worms

9. As you travel from Alaska’s interior toward its northern or western coast, you’ll see a dramatic transition. In flat areas such as the coastal plains, the landscape is dotted with small lakes, or divided into strange geometric patterns. The country feels grand and limitless stretching to the horizon of the broad sky

10. What is the Human Impact on the Alaskan Tundra? Human impact on the tundra has generally not been a positive one. Because the tundra is such a delicate environment, even the slightest change in conditions can threaten the entire biome. The overhunting of endangered species in the early 1900s resulted in the eradication of animals such as the muxk oxen in the Alaskan tundra, which sailors coveted for food and clothing .

11. Human Impact in Alaskan Tundra Global Warming Oil Drilling Overdevelopment Air Pollution

12. What causes Tundra Lack of Trees Cold Seasons Precipitation wind

13. Lack of Trees The defining characteristics of tundra is lack of trees. Scientist cannot point to a single factor that limits tree growth; rather it is a combination of factors: Growing seasons are too short for plants that produce wood, Strong persistent winds that desiccate and abrade plant tissues Permafrost that prevents roots from reaching deeply enough into the soil to provide support And, cold soils that slow decomposition and nutrient cycling

14. COLD One of the climatic conditions that give rise to tundra is cold air temperatures. But it’s not just winter’s cold that shapes this ecosystem. Rather, it’s the chilly average temperatures which limit plant growth and encourage the formation of permafrost.

15. SEASONS In Alaska’s Arctic and near- Arctic, seasonal changes are dramatic. In midsummer, when the Earth’s northern pole is tilted toward the sun, days are tremendously long-in fact, from the Arctic Circle north, the landscape can be bathed in sunlight 24 hours day around the time of summer solstice. But as the Earth revolves around the sun towards winter, the pole tilts further and further from the sun; days shorten, and shorten-until midwinter, when, north of the Arctic Circle, there are days when the sun does not rise above the horizon at all.

16. PRECIPITATION Alaska’s Tundra gets very little snow or rain- it’s sometimes called a “cold desert”. Annual precipitation at Barrow located on the tundra-covered Coastal Plain, is around 4 inches-far less than annual rainfall of the Mojave Desert

17. WIND Tundra also a windy space. The contrast in temperature between the land and the ocean creates persistent breezes that sweep across the treeless landscape. Some tundra plants and animals are specially adapted to minimize wind damage. Some animals, however, actually seek out wind-scoured areas, where travel is easier and forage plants are more accessible

18. ACTIVITY AND ASSIGNMENT LIST DOWN ALL THE CAUSES OF TUNDRA AND DISCUSS IT IN THE CLASS WHAT IS YOUR POINT OF YOU ABOUT OUR TOPIC? ASSIGNMENT: GIVE SOME WAYS TO TAKE CARE OUR ENVIRONMENT

19. ANY QUESTION? CLARIFICATIONS? OKAY, CLASS DISMISS!