Geography 2010A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Permafrost, Xerophyte, Desiccation
2 Oct 2018
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Types of vegetation: forest: deciduous forests are composed of trees that loose their leaves over seasons, ex. Broadleaf trees: coniferous forests are composed of evergreen trees, grassland: these are found in relatively dry areas. The size of the grass varies with the moisture content: ex. Xerophyte: tundra: these small plants survive harsh climates, these reproduce by runners (offshoots of the main plant) Adaptions of vegetation: tundra plants have shallow root systems due to the permafrost environment, the leaves of tundra plants are waxy in order to reduce moisture loss, ex. Krumholz (a plant that grows in a sideways formation because harsh dry winds desiccate the upper part of the plant) Risks of permafrost melting: melting of permafrost can cause roads and railways to buckle and buildings to fracture, utilities and pipelines must be built on stilts above ground, many buildings are built on stilts.
