A biome is a large geographical region defined by its distinct climate, soil, and the specific types of plants and animals that inhabit it. Environmental conditions like temperature, rainfall, and sunlight shape the life forms present. Scientists classify biomes based on these shared features to understand how living organisms adapt to diverse environments.
Nome’s Arctic Tundra
Nome, Alaska, is situated within the Arctic Tundra biome. Located on the southern coast of the Seward Peninsula, bordering Norton Sound of the Bering Sea in western Alaska, Nome lies just below the Arctic Circle. The surrounding landscape is a vast expanse of treeless plains, indicative of the tundra’s harsh climate.
Characteristics of the Arctic Tundra
The Arctic Tundra is the coldest biome, experiencing long, dark winters and short, cool summers. Winter temperatures can average around -34°C (-30°F), though Nome’s coastal location moderates these extremes, with average January temperatures around -15°C (5°F). Summer temperatures typically range from 3-12°C (37-54°F), with Nome seeing average July temperatures of about 11°C (52°F).
Precipitation in the tundra is low, averaging only 15 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) annually, comparable to a desert. Despite this, the tundra often appears wet because permafrost, the perpetually frozen ground, prevents water from draining deeper into the soil. This permafrost layer restricts plant root systems to a shallow active layer that thaws only during the brief summer. The growing season is very short, typically lasting only 50 to 60 days.
Life Thriving in Nome’s Tundra
Plant life in Nome’s tundra is characterized by low-lying vegetation, as “tundra” means “treeless plain.” Trees are largely absent due to shallow soil, persistent cold, and a short growing season.
Common flora include mosses, lichens, sedges, grasses, and dwarf shrubs such as arctic willow and Labrador tea. Wildflowers like arctic poppies add color during the brief summer.
These plants adapt by growing close to the ground in dense mats, having shallow root systems, and possessing small, often hairy or waxy leaves to conserve moisture and protect against harsh winds and cold. Many are perennials that reproduce through budding or division.
Animals in Nome’s tundra have developed adaptations to survive extreme cold and scarce resources. Mammals such as caribou, arctic foxes, musk oxen, and lemmings are common. Birds like snowy owls and various migratory species, including bristle-thighed curlews and common eiders, thrive here during warmer months.
Many animals possess thick fur or feathers for insulation. Adaptations include compact body shapes with shorter limbs and ears to minimize heat loss. Some species, such as arctic ground squirrels and grizzly bears, hibernate through the coldest months, while others like lemmings burrow under the snow. Seasonal camouflage, where animals like arctic foxes and ptarmigans change their fur or feather color to match the snow or tundra, is another survival strategy.