Everyone talks about saving the rain forest, and I agree they need our protection, but does anyone ever mention saving the tundra?The Arctic Tundra covers about twenty percent of our planet's surface, it is a vast treeless land primarily surrounding the North Pole. There are small tundra areas in Antarctica but because of the extreme cold the ground is usually covered with ice and snow. The ground of the arctic tundra is permanently frozen about one to three feet down so trees cannot grow there. The bare, sometimes rocky, ground supports low growing plants like mosses, lichen, and small types of willows. In the summer after the top layer of permafrost melts it is very soggy and is covered with lakes, bogs and streams.
So, you ask, why should we be worried about such a barren, desolate place?
The tundra is one of the Earth's major carbon dioxide sinks. A carbon dioxide sink is a biomass which takes in more carbon dioxide than it releases. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Usually when plants die and decompose they give off carbon dioxide but because of the short summer season in the Arctic the plants do not decompose. The remains of plants thousands of years old have been found in the tundra. Through this process the tundra traps the carbon dioxide and removes it from the atmosphere.
The tundra is a very fragile environment. So yes, let's save the rain forest but let's not forget about the tundra.
Thank you. Class dismissed, time to party.
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12 comments:
Thank you the lesson. I didn't know this.
I think it is fascinating and I am glad you shared. I wish people would realize there is more to this great planet than just their only little space.
I second Rae in this - I didn't know any of this and had no idea that tundra had any purpose at all. I love it when I learn something new. Thanks for the lesson.
I had no idea!!! Not a clue!!! Thank you very much for this ... I read this to my hubby.
Ditto - all the above. Very interesting. When God put things in place, they all had a reason. Saving one area, or one species, should not be put above another. We take the earth for granted, but it has such a delicate balance. We see this when we 'introduce' new animals to an area, then they take over because there are no natural preditors for it.
Hi Rae and Afternoon Tea Break,
It sort of goes back to the quote about touching one thing in nature and it effects everyting else. All parts of our planet work together to make the whole.
Christine,
It is something I had read but I couldn't remember the details, had to do a bit of research.
MzzLily,
Very well said, I don't know what else to add.
SQ
I never new that SQ. Thank you!
Hi Libertine,
Good to hear from you, it's been awhile and you have been missed.
SQ
I'm all for protecting it, but from who? I know the rain forest is getting chopped down for both grazing land and soy farms (neither of which the land is actually very good for) but the tundra... I mean, yes, it's important - and yes, it's pretty in its own way - but you can't farm on it and it's not really a pleasant place to live, right? Then again, as I mentioned the rain forest land isn't good for what they're doing with it, so...
I knew about this from my trip to Svalbard (on the other side of the Arctic tundra). It's a truly wonderful place and going there changed my mind on the whole saving the planet approach. Once you've seen a polar bear in situ, you never want to see one in a zoo.
Hi Steven,
No you can't farm on it but it sure is a popular place to drill oil. The Arctic is home to many people and while life is not always easy it is their home. Both are important, both need attention, I'm just trying to do a bit of PR for this region. Not arguing, just love to discuss.
Madame DeFarge,
Having been there yourself you understand, it is so filled with life and is such an important part of our planet. I never got to see a polar bear while there but so many other animals. It is so incredible.
SQ
Very good information to know. It's good that you take the time to explain it to those of us who might not otherwise learn that information. Saw your invitation in the Coffee Shop feature of Google Groups Help Group, and decided to visit. Nice work; definitely unique, and definitely stimulates the thought process. Thanks for sharing.
Plus, parts of the tundra have been thawing at alarming rates, as well. Thank you for sharing and That is a lovely picture of the couple on the tundra.
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