Ecological problems in the tundra zone. What is being done to preserve the natural zone?

Tundra is a natural zone, not at all caressing the gaze of lush vegetation. Only organisms adapted to harsh conditions can develop and live here. In recent years, environmental problems in the tundra zone have become more acute, the face of the territory is changing beyond recognition. Developing industries, transport and processing industry are developing. Environmental organizations and environmentalists are concerned about the ongoing changes, the complications of the situation in the Arctic Circle.

Features of the tundra as a natural zone

The northern treeless area with a predominance of mosses and lichens extends on the shores and partly on the islands of the seas of the Arctic Ocean. The main distinguishing features of this natural zone are the harsh climate and the absence of forests. In the tundra, cushion plants with a shallow root system grow. In the summer thaws a thin surface layer of humus-poor soil, below which perennial permafrost spreads.

The relief in the tundra is diverse: the vast lowlands alternate with the hills. The nature of the surface may be peaty, stony or marshy. On the tops of the Northern Urals and further to the east are mountain tundra.

Severe climate of the tundra

Frosts in this natural zone last from 6 to 8 months a year. In the spring, with abundant sunlight and in conditions of a polar day, there is little heat. Summer ends quickly, in August weather, rains and snow are already beginning. Almost simultaneously with the winter begins the polar night, its duration is up to six months. The sun does not appear above the horizon, but during the day there is a period resembling twilight, when the reddish strip of the dawn is visible in the sky. Ecological problems in the tundra zone are associated not so much with the severity of the climate as with the vulnerability of nature. The thin soil layer is easily destroyed by caterpillars of all-terrain vehicles, wheels and runners of other modes of transport. Violation of the root system leads to the death of plants.

Features of vegetation cover

Most of the representatives of the flora in the tundra are cushion or creeping forms - they are pressed against the soil with stems and leaves. It is easier to maintain vegetative organs under a thin snow cover and in strong winds. Many environmental problems in the tundra zone are due to the fact that only 2 months of short summer are suitable for the development, formation of fruits and seeds. Flowering plants are forced to adapt. Some have switched to vegetative reproduction, others have preserved fruits and seeds under snow until next summer. The first option significantly increases the evolutionary chances of survival of the species. When vegetative reproduction does not cause problems due to the impossibility of pollination of flowers by insects or other animals.

In the tundra there are trees and shrubs, they also creep. Most often small forests of polar willow, dwarf birch grow along the banks of rivers, where the soil thaws better. In the tundra are many species of berry bushes (cranberry, blueberry, cloudberry, cowberry).

Problems of the tundra

A significant part of the tundra zone lies on the sea shores, but plants constantly lack moisture. Precipitation in this area drops to an average of 200 ml / year, mainly in the form of summer rains. Cold water is poorly absorbed by plant roots, in addition, it does not seep into the soil due to permafrost. At low temperatures and a small amount of precipitation, excessive moisture is observed, which aggravates environmental problems in the tundra zone.

Bathering occurs everywhere, which worsens the oxygen supply of the underground organs of plants. Formed tundra gley soils - a special type of substrate with a low content of humus and a lot of moisture. With the destruction of soils, the vegetation cover becomes poorer. Animals are forced to wander for long distances or die from lack of fodder.

Preservation of links in the tundra ecosystem

Here is a concrete example illustrating the relationship between natural components in the tundra. One of the groups of organisms of this zone has received the general name of "reindeer moss". This is mainly a crucible, which belongs to the lichen of the genus Cladonia. With the reduction of the occupied area, some environmental problems in the tundra zone are associated. Deer feed on the yagel, reducing its range negatively affects the state of the population of different animals. Plantations of reindeer moss are disturbed during the mining of minerals, the construction of roads, residential areas and industrial enterprises. Let's list the main problems arising in the tundra ecosystem under human intervention:

• Disturbance of the soil cover;
• Reduction of biodiversity;
• Pollution of nature as a result of extraction of raw materials;
• Accumulation of domestic and industrial waste;
• Overgrazing on reindeer pastures;
• Depletion of fauna as a result of poaching.

For the preservation of the tundra, restrictions are imposed on the reindeer grazing, the ecologists ensure that the herds are transported on time to other sites on time. When building oil and gas pipelines, measures are taken to increase the number of typical plants and animals. A struggle is being waged against poachers, in which the employees of the tundra reserves and zakazniks actively joined. Under protection rare and disappearing representatives of flora and fauna are taken.