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Not only does the tundra environment pose dangers to humans, humans pose dangers to it. Considerable pollution exists near sites of human habitation, as waste management practices -- such as sewage treatment -- prove extremely difficult to implement in the tundra, according to Marietta College. The extraction of oil and natural gas has caused environmental damage; serious oil spills maim or kill hundreds of thousands of birds, fish and other animals. Further, climate change has broad implications for the tundra, which extends beyond the destruction of polar bears’ habitat. With the warming temperatures, boreal forests migrate to higher latitudes and altitudes, encroaching on tundra ecosystems and reducing their overall geographic extent. The increased vegetation due to warming temperatures increases the likelihood of large tundra fires, posing a widespread threat to flora and fauna.

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Carnivorous mammals, such as wolves and polar bears, as well as omnivorous grizzly bears inhabit the Arctic tundra. Tundra grizzlies are considerably smaller than their southern counterparts. Eking out a marginal existence near ocean shores, they keenly devour almost anything they can. Although attacks on humans are rare, loss of sea ice due to climate change is bringing some species into closer contact with people, leading scientists to step up warnings about the risk of human-polar bear conflicts, according to a November 2013 in The Guardian. As polar bears, in particular, lose access to their food sources in the sea, they venture into villages and camps to search for alternate sources of food, occasionally hurting humans in the process. This pattern will continue if the Arctic continues to warm.

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The tundra climate is among the harshest on Earth. The average winter temperatures are around -34 degrees Celsius (-29 F) and can sometimes dip much lower. Winds can also be extreme, particularly in the alpine tundra, where they often blow at speeds above 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour). This results in wind chills that make the bitterly cold temperatures feel even colder to the human body. Any exposed skin is at risk for frostbite, which can happen in mere minutes; prolonged exposure to the elements can cause hypothermia.

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The lateral roots are shallow due to the frozen ground underneath the permafrost. Salix arctica has made many adaptations to the cold climate of the North American tundra. ... The leaves of the Salix arctica have also adapted to the cold weather by growing long fuzzy hairs.

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It is one of the few plants on the tundra. It is "the slowest growing longest living freshwater macrophyte ever recorded" (Amazing Arctic Moss.) The Calliergon giganteum has adapted well to its cold climate. When it is not growing, it stores nutrients so new leaves can be made quickly next spring.

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Since bearberry is a low growing plant it can stay out of the wind chill. Its fine silky hairs also keep it warm.

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Arctic wolves have adapted very well to the icy environment where they live. They have white fur, which allows them to blend into their snowy surroundings. To help reduce heat loss, they have more-rounded ears, a shorter muzzle and shorter legs than other gray wolf subspecies.

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Lemmings are small mouse-like animals that live in the Arctic tundra. In summer they are brown, but in winter they are all white. Their white winter coats help them to hide from the Snowy Owl and other predators that depend upon them for food.

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The caribou, which is what Europeans call reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), is highly adapted to life on the Arctic tundra. Besides the behavioral adaptation of migrating to escape the worst of the winter cold, they have changed physically, inside and out, to live in this demanding biome.

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An example of commensalism in the Arctic Tundra is the arctic fox following the caribou or reindeer. The caribou and reindeer feed on lichens and when they are looking for food, the arctic fox follows.

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The tapeworms (parasite) feed on the food that is consumed by these animals, leading to malnutrition of the animals body (host). The parasite benefits but the host is harmed.

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The lichen plant is made up of a fungus and algae. The algae lives within the fungus and provides the plant with sugars and oxygen.The fungus provides protection to the algae and collects water and salts for the algae cells

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Wolves (predator) & Caribou (prey)

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Location: The Arctic tundra is found across northern Alaska, Canada, and Siberia

General Climate: The average winter temperature is  -34° C (-30° F), but the average summer temperature is 3-12° C (37-54° F) which enables this biome to sustain life. Rainfall may vary in different regions of the arctic. The yearly precipitation, including melting snow, is 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches).

Land Formation: The dominant landscape type in most of the Arctic Circle, tundra is known for its abundance of water, low rolling hills and soft, porous earth. Even grass is an uncommon feature, as the rocky, wet ground is instead covered with lichens and low-lying brush.