In the tundra, life forms are limited by the interaction of several of Earth’s spheres. One sphere that interacts with the geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere is the cryosphere. What is this sphere responsible for in the tundra?
The cryosphere is responsible for the presence of ground permafrost in the tundra. Permafrost is frozen ground that remains at or below freezing temperatures for at least two consecutive years. It plays a crucial role in shaping the tundra biome by limiting the movement of water, nutrients, and gases within the soil. The presence of permafrost also influences the availability of water for plant growth and the stability of the terrain, resulting in the characteristic low-growing plants and mountainous terrain found in the tundra. Additionally, the cryosphere interacts with the hydrosphere by influencing the formation and melting of snow and ice, which further affects the overall ecosystem dynamics in the tundra.
