The Tundra  (Arctic or Antarctic)

Arctic Moss- Adaptations:

• Arctic Moss can grow under fresh water that is left on the surface of the tundra after the summer thaw. Because of the permafrost, the water does not sink into the soil. Because it can grow under water, the moss is protected from cold, wind and the dry air of the tundra.
• Arctic moss grows close to the ground. This way it is protected from the the drying wind and gets warmth from the soil.
• Arctic Moss grows in very shallow soil. It is often found in cracks in rocks. These cracks are a result of the freezing and thawing of the tundra.
• Arctic Moss has rhizoids instead of roots. These shallow little rootlets allow the moss to get nutrients from shallow soil in rocks and hold onto the rock in the windy tundra.
• Arctic Moss has many little leaves. The little leaves help the plant conserve moisture. More leaves allow the plant to photosynthesize more, which is useful in the short days of the tundra.
• Arctic moss grows very slowly. This way, the plant stores most of the nutrients it makes and takes from the soil. The nutrients saved help the plant to grow new leaves quickly the following spring.
• Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) are found, occurring on the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands and along the western Antarctic Peninsula. The vegetation is predominantly made up of lower plant groups (mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi) which are specially adapted to surviving in extreme environments, in particular, tolerating low temperatures and dehydration.

• Arctic Poppies are short and grow in groups close together to get protection from the wind.
• They are short to be near the soil and gather its heat.
• Arctic Poppies produce flowers quickly, since the growing season in the tundra is short and lasts only about 60 days.
• Arctic poppies revolve slowly to face the sun throughout the long days of summer.
• Poppies have colorful flowers that absorb heat and attract insects.
• Arctic Poppies can grow at temperatures 15ºC to 20ºC (27ºF to 36ºF), which is cooler than plants in any other region in the world.
• Arctic Poppies get their energy from the sun through photosynthesis like all other plants, but can do this in low temperatures and low light.
• Shallow root systems allow plants to grow in thin soil because deeper soil is always frozen (permafrost).
• Their root system is made of runners that spread out on the surface. These runners are called rhizomes. Rhizomes reach out for water over a wide area.
• Arctic Poppies have little leaves that make them look like ferns. The little leaves help the plant conserve moisture.
• Seeds are on the top of the plant to be blown by the wind.
• Seeds are tough and can survive years before germinating.

Arctic Willow (Rock Willow) - Adaptations:

• This plant can grow in wet or dry areas, clay, sand, and shallow soils.
• Arctic Willow is short and grows like a carpet on the ground to be protected from the wind and be near the soil, which gets warm in the sunlight.
• This plant makes a poison in the growing season to keep some insects away.
  
• Their root systems are shallow because the permafrost prevents the roots from growing deeply.
  
• Each Arctic Willow has either male or female flowers. These plants grow very close together for pollination.
  
• This plant multiplies by seeds, but can also grow roots in its stems and form new plants.
•  The Arctic Willow leaves are covered by long, fuzzy hairs. These hairs act like a sweater, they keep the plant warm and prevent loss of moisture.