Biomes are subsections of the biosphere, which are categorised based on areas with similar ecosystems. Typically, ecosystems are defined via similar vegetation, since this allows the development of subsequent food webs. A prime example of this is the Arctic biome, which is made up of low lying vegetation. Although not categorised by climate, it is intrinsically linked with the distribution of the world’s major biomes, as it is the underlying cause of what types of vegetation are able to inhabit particular biomes. (Woodward et. Al. 2004) Despite Figure 1 showing a general latitudinal distinction for vegetation biomes on a global scale, due to local climatic factors, areas on the same latitude can vary in biome category, making latitudinal distinction
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(Holden 2012) Although, in some instances, Boreal Forest comes under the classification of the Arctic biome, in this case the Arctic biome will solely focus on the tundra landscape, since it could be argued that the Boreal Forest is an Ecotone between the Temperate biome and the Tundra biome, in relation to Köppen’s climate classification system. (www.isc-audubon.org) The Tundra biome is largely made up of low lying grasses with no trees, apart from a newly adapted dwarf version of a few tree types such as the Dwarf Birch. (Holden …show more content…
The Arctic Fox achieves this in a number of ways; primarily it does this by retaining a constant body temperature by trapping a layer of warm air between its thick insulating fur, which goes as far as covering the fox’s feet and skin. This heat maintained around the body is prevented from escaping through thermal radiation by the adaptation of white fur, as seen on other Arctic mammals. The white fur minimizes heat loss by reflecting any radiation escaping into the outside air back towards the body, thus preventing the decrease in the Arctic Fox’s core body temperature. The fur of the Arctic Fox is further adapted, as it changes colour from white to brown in the summer months to not only prevent the fox from overheating through heat retention, but to also act as a better camouflage from predators. In an attempt to reduce its overall surface area, the Arctic Fox has the physical traits of a more petite nose and ears: this further adapts the Arctic Fox’s body to the harsh cold temperatures by reducing the loss of body heat. (Costanza, S.
(Holden 2012) Although, in some instances, Boreal Forest comes under the classification of the Arctic biome, in this case the Arctic biome will solely focus on the tundra landscape, since it could be argued that the Boreal Forest is an Ecotone between the Temperate biome and the Tundra biome, in relation to Köppen’s climate classification system. (www.isc-audubon.org) The Tundra biome is largely made up of low lying grasses with no trees, apart from a newly adapted dwarf version of a few tree types such as the Dwarf Birch. (Holden …show more content…
The Arctic Fox achieves this in a number of ways; primarily it does this by retaining a constant body temperature by trapping a layer of warm air between its thick insulating fur, which goes as far as covering the fox’s feet and skin. This heat maintained around the body is prevented from escaping through thermal radiation by the adaptation of white fur, as seen on other Arctic mammals. The white fur minimizes heat loss by reflecting any radiation escaping into the outside air back towards the body, thus preventing the decrease in the Arctic Fox’s core body temperature. The fur of the Arctic Fox is further adapted, as it changes colour from white to brown in the summer months to not only prevent the fox from overheating through heat retention, but to also act as a better camouflage from predators. In an attempt to reduce its overall surface area, the Arctic Fox has the physical traits of a more petite nose and ears: this further adapts the Arctic Fox’s body to the harsh cold temperatures by reducing the loss of body heat. (Costanza, S.