Monday, May 14, 2012

Dwarf Fireweed



Life zones in alaska range from grasslands, mountains, and tundra to thick forests.



Dwarf Fireweed The Dwarf Fireweed is a smaller relative of the common Fireweed, growing up to 20in and fifty-one centimeters high. Dwarf fireweed are often found growing along streams or riverbars, but may occasionally, be found growing in some rocky terrain, in the mountains.


 

the snowy white owl

The snowy owl.
These animals are called snowy owls because when they are fully grown, they are almost pure white. The snowy owl's feet are covered with feathers and have extra thick pads. Snowy owls have incredible vision, like all owls, especially in the night. They can see high up from the sky and fly down silently. The snowy owl mother stays on the nest and the father brings food and protects her. After owlets are born both parents work to help and feed the owlets, after eight weeks they are ready to leave the nest.



Identification:
     Hieght: 27in. It is one of the biggest owls in the world.
Wingspan is 45-60in. 
colors: in the summer owls are usually brownish with some dark spots and stripes.  In the winter they are completely white.
They have distinguishing characteristics: they have all whtie colors, they have the ability to hunt silently. they usually hunt during the day, unlike most owls.  
They breed 8-10 eggs, their are laid on the ground or on hummocks becuase there arent trees in the arctic opart of the world.

  
The feathers of the snowy owl have no pigment. This leaves not enough space for the air which helps the owl keep warmer because the air is so good and its insulator is good it makes the owl white.
 
Some animals will eat the snowy white owl, animals such as foxes, wolves will also eat the owl, weasels, vultures, eagles if they are extrememly hungry, any scavenger will do.
 


 

 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

alaskan tundra


Tundra


The "Tundra Biome" is at the top of the world around the north pole.

Below a thin layer of tundra soil is its permafrost, a premanently frozen layer of ground. during the brief summers, hte top section of the soil may thaw just long enough to allow plants and microorganisms to grow and reproduce.

How cold is cold? The tundra biome is at the top of the world -- around the North Pole! Below a thin layer of tundra soil is its permafrost, a permanently frozen layer of ground. During the brief summers, the top section of the soil may thaw just long enough to allow plants and microorganisms to grow and reproduce. 



Climate:  
In the tundra conditions are very cold, with a normal temperature less than 5 degrees celsius. An the precipitation (mostly waht they get is snow) less then 100mm per year. the summers are very brief with tempertautres above freezing lasting only for a few weeks at most. The summers concides with periods of almost 24 hour daylight, so their plant growth can be great.

Cool Facts:

1) The alakan tundra has an average of an annual temperature colder than five degrees farenheit adn receives less then four incjes of preciptatio a year.
2)  Plants survive the harsh conditions of the tundra by going dormant through winter, growing protective coatings, or retaining old leaves for nutriton.
3) Animals have adapted to the alaskan tundra by developing warm winter coats, compact bodies to preserve heat, and camouflage for diffrent seasons.
4) Alaskan tundra does not have any trees. it is also very windy and has dramatic seasonal changes, including drastic changes in daylight hours throughout the year.
5) Alaska's tundra is threathened by airborne pollutants,. oil and gas development, and global warming.








intro to biomes

Biomes- a large naturally occurring community occupying a major habitat.
 
Tundra
Tundra, the Biome is at the top of the world, around the north pole. Below the tundra is a thin layer of tundra soil, is its permafrost.. It is a permanently frozen layer of ground, during the Summers the top section of the soil may thaw. Long enough to allow plants.
Tundra is mainly treeless, it is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, very little precipitation, poor nutrients, and some short growing seasons.   


Coral reef, Eniwetok atoll
The marine biome covers about three-fourths of the earths surface and include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. marine algae supplies much of the worlds oxygen. the evaporation of the seawater provides rainwater for the land.
Estuaries are area where freshwater streams or rivers merge with the ocean. this mixing of waters with such different salt concentrations creates a very interesting and unique ecosystem. 


Desert

Desert: The hot desert is a land of extremes: extreme heat and extreme dryness, sudden flash floods and cold nights. Because deserts are such a harsh environment, desert temperatures are in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit is not uncommon. at night in the desert temperatures fall into the 40s or 50s.

Other biomes are insulated by their humidity (water vapor in the air). This water reflects and absorbs sunlight and the energy it brings. deserts usually have only between 10 to 20 percent humidity and it also traps the temperatures. and they have so little trees and little vegetation to retain heat, they cool down rapidly when the sun sets, and heat up quickly after  the sun rises. Deserts are usually very, very dry. event eh wettest deserts get less then ten inches of precipitation a year.

Grasslands
Grassland biomes are found in every continent except Antarctica.
have Tempera

Temperate Deciduous Forest
The word "deciduous" means exactly what the leaves on these trees do: change color in autumn, fall off in the winter, and grow back again in the spring. This adaptation helps trees in the forest survive winter.te Deciduous Forest biome has four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Animals and plants have special adaptations to cope with these yearly changesdaptations to cope
During the shorter days and cooler weather of autumn, green chlorophyll in the leaves begins to decompose, revealing brilliant oranges, yellows, and reds. Actually, these colors were present in the leaves all year long, but had been hidden by the green pigment of the chlorophyll.  
with these yearly changes.

Temperate Deciduous Forest biome has four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Animals and plants have special adaptations to cope with these yearly changes