Question

Some arctic tundra ecosystems receive as little rainfall as deserts but have much more dense vegetation. What climatic factor could cause this difference? Explain.

Short answer

The climatic factor responsible is the much cooler climatic conditions in tundra than deserts.

In cold conditions, less water evaporates in tundra ecosystems during the growing season. Due to less evaporation, the tundra ecosystem stays moister than the desert.

Step-by-step solution

Tundra and desert

Tundra lies in the arctic region. It covers around 20% of the terrestrial surface of the Earth.In arctic tundra ecosystems, the annual precipitation ranges from 20-60 cm.

The average temperature in this ecosystem can fall below $-30°C$and role="math" localid="1646343724847" $-10°C$in winter and summer, respectively. The vegetation in the tundra includes lichens, mosses, grasses, shrubs, and trees.

In deserts, temperature varies both seasonally and daily.In cold deserts, the temperature falls below$-30°$.

Precipitation is low in deserts.The annual rainfall in deserts is around 30 cm. The vegetation cover includes euphorbias, herbs, and shrubs.

Climatic factor responsible for the difference in vegetation in tundra and deserts despite similar little rainfall in both the biomes

The climatic conditions vary between the arctic tundra ecosystem and deserts. Arctic tundra ecosystems experience much coolerclimatic conditions than deserts. Also, the average annual rainfall is little in both biomes.

However, the yearly precipitation in the arctic tundra is slightly higher than that of deserts. Hence, the climatic factor responsible for the difference in vegetation in both the biomes is the much cooler climatic conditions in tundra than in deserts.

The climatic factor causing the difference in vegetation in tundra and deserts

The artic tundra biome is very cold. This biome has winters almost throughout the year with a temperature of even below$-30°C$. Summer lasts for a brief period, and even it is cold with an average temperature of below$-10°C$.