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Top of a slightly elevated rise in the tundra
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On local high points, even wet tundra is very dry - with very little moisture available and a flora that looks like that found on mountaintops in temperate climates. Here, just a meter or so above standing water, is very dry soil covered with a profuse variety of lichens and only a very few hardy grasses and other plants.
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Lichen in dry spot
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Here on the top of a slight rise in the tundra, the ground is covered with lichens. There are no bundles of green sedges here, and no indication that just a few meters away and just a meter or so lower can be found very rich lush vegitation.
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A red lichen with isidia
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This is a lichen. The tall stalks are topped by its fruiting bodies.
You are on a high point on the tundra.
From here you can:
Go back to overview of tundra.
Move down half a meter to look at moderate elevations.
Move down a meter to look at low points on the tundra.
Sources:
Part of the Athro, Limited web site.
Go to begining of this field trip.
Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000 Athro, Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Written by Paul J. Morris mole@morris.net
Maintained by Athro Limited
Date Created: 10 Dec 1998
Last Updated: 22 Jan 2000
Gubik Field Trip