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Arctic Tundra - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Reindeers have a dense, two-layered coat of hollow hairs for insulation.
      - Hooves that are designed to change from soft in the summer to hard and sharp in the winter for traction and digging.
      - Their noses are warm and moist as a special internal chamber warms each breath it takes, as it enters the lungs and cools exhaled air, which conserves heat and moisture.
      - Their diet is a mix of plants, lichens and mosses, with a shift to a lichen-only diet in winter when there are less resources.
  - - - Polar bears have 2 layers of fur to prevent almost all heat loss.
      - Their hairs are pigment free and transparent with a hollow core that scatters and reflects visible light.
      - They also have a thick layer of fat to help insulation. A polar bear’s body fat can measure up to 11.4 cm (4.49 in). In the water, polar bears rely more on their fat than their fur to keep out the cold
      - Specialised paws - measure up to 30 cm (11.81 in) across.
  - - - A thick layer of blubber = this provides excellent insulation, helping belugas maintain body heat in freezing waters.
      - Lack of dorsal fin = instead of dorsal fin, belugas have a dorsal ridge which reduces heat loss and allows them to swim easily under ice to find breathing holes.
      - White coloration = their distinctive white colour helps them camouflage against the icy Arctic background, protecting them from predators.
      - Melon and echolocation = the large, fatty, melon on their forehead helps focus and project sound, which they use for sophisticated echolocation to locate and navigate prey.
  - - - White feathers for camouflage
      - Thick and Dense feathers for insulation
      - Their feet are covered in feathers for insulation
      - Their heads can rotate up to 270 degrees allowing for prey to be spotted without having to move their bodies allowing for energy conservation
      - Their ear openings allow for great hearing which can locate prey under snow
- - - - Stakeholders: there are many stakeholders for mineral exploitation.
        Mining companies - they invest in the exploitation and processing of minerals from the Arctic. They are focused on profit, efficiency and resource development.
        Indigenous Communities - Many live in or near Arctic Tundra regions and rely on the land for traditional lifestyles, hunting and fishing. They are concerned about environmental protection, cultural preservation and gaining fair benefits from mineral exploitation.
        Greenhouse gas emissions:
        The Arctic tundra is now releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases as permafrost thaws and wildfires increase. In Siberia’s Sakha Republic, 2023 fires released around 100 million tonnes of CO². Mining for diamonds, gold and oil in the region also disturbs the tundra, speeding up permafrost thaw and further gas emissions. This shows how resource extraction and environmental protection are in constant tension in the arctic.
  - - - In 1990 nearly 8000 cruise passengers passed through Iceland. In 2022, there were over 300,000 cruise ship passengers. The Russian Arctic also saw a 20% rise in tourism. However, increased tourism can risk the chances of oil spills or a sewage leak that would affect the environment.
        The Arctic is prone to severe and changing weather conditions that complicate travel and endanger seafarers. The high latitude also disrupts maritime navigational and communication systems. If an oil spill, a crash or a machinery malfunction occur, the region's remoteness makes an efficient emergency response nearly impossible.