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* The biggest anthropogenic disruption is forest fires. Huge forest fires can start in the rainforest and release huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere speeding up how fast our planet is warming.
* Another is deforestation this releases all the carbon that was stored in the carbon sink and increases global warming.

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From the Amazon to the Arctic, forests around the world are burning. Catastrophic manmade fires are raging across the Brazilian Amazon, imperiling the world's most biodiverse forest. In Indonesia, annual blazes set to clear land for oil palm plantations are ravaging the ancient rainforests of Kalimantan and Sumatra. In the wake of the unprecedented wildfires that tore through the frozen lands of Siberia and Alaska this summer, many fear that the worst is yet to come. As the global alarm sounds, many are asking why our forests are burning-and who is to blame?

The answer is complex, but at the root of it all: a destructive combination of climate change and reckless land use.

Slash-and-Burn Deforestation

The vast majority of the fires in the Amazon and Indonesia are manmade and intentional-the result of illegal deforestation and clearing of farmland. Wildfires are in fact quite rare in tropical rainforests, due to the high humidity. Even in the dry season, the flora is usually too wet for lightning to spark a blaze or for accidental fires (from a burning campfire or cigarette) to take hold.

Agribusinesses clear vast stretches of pristine, untouched forest to make room for cattle pasture (in Brazil) and cropland (soy in Brazil, palm oil in Indonesia). The cheapest and quickest way to do this in such humid conditions is to cut down the trees and underbrush with chainsaws, let them dry out for a month, and get rid of the debris by burning it.

The damage does not stop there. Large-scale clearing disrupts the very processes that give the rainforest its name-the ability to absorb, store, and recycle water as rainfall. As the soil dries out and tree cover is lost, the forest shifts from being fire-resistant to fire-prone. "This is one of the most traumatic things you can do to an ecosystem," explained Nigel Sizer, the Rainforest Alliance's chief program officer. The thin-barked trees of the rainforest have no natural resilience to fire, so the flames simply consume everything in their path.

Incendiary Policies: Opening the Rainforest to Exploitation

In Brazil, weakened law enforcement has made things worse. Scientists, NGOs, and many global leaders largely agree that the real crisis is a political one. Beginning in 2005, Brazil had made great strides in combatting deforestation through robust monitoring and alert systems to aid law enforcement. But since President Jair Bolsonaro took office in January this year, his government has fired the country's top deforestation experts, cut off funding from environmental enforcement agencies, and told his supporters loudly and clearly that the rainforest is open for exploitation.

The worst may be yet to come. The current fires are actually burning in areas that were deforested back in May and June. "Newly deforested areas will still burn in the coming months, warned Ane Alencar, science director and fire expert for our Brazilian frontline partner organization Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia.

Wildfires and Controlled Burning

Wildfires are a natural part of many forest ecosystems, often playing a vital role in their life cycle of renewal. The giant redwoods of California, for example, rely on periodic fires (natural or man-made) to clear undergrowth and germinate their seeds.

Throughout the ages, many farming communities around the world have responsibly used controlled burning to manage their lands. Satellite images currently depict fires across vast swaths of forests in Central Africa-but experts note that these are part of a traditional cycle of burning managed by farmers to stimulate new growth in the savanna.

The current climate crisis, however, has multiplied the likelihood of both wildfires and traditional burning cycles spinning quickly out of control. Rising temperatures and extreme heat dry out ecosystems to the point of extreme vulnerability. Alarmingly, the Arctic-which is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet-saw a dramatic increase in wildfires this summer, from eastern Siberia to Alaska and Greenland.

A Tipping Point for Global Warming

The full scale of the crisis is alarming. Forests, especially tropical forests, are a critical part of the global climate solution. Without their carbon-storing potential, we cannot keep the Earth's warming in check. Unless there is a sharp reversal in the policies of both Brazil and Bolivia, the Amazon could rapidly reach a point of ecological collapse from which there will be no return-on a timescale that is meaningful for humans. Scientists estimate that if tree loss passes the 20-25 percent threshold, the basin would lose its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. The land would progressively turn into dry savanna like the neighboring cerrado. As with the thawing of Arctic permafrost, this would release billions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming and triggering a vicious cycle of rising temperatures and more fires.

The crisis in the Amazon has been a powerful reminder to the entire world that we absolutely must keep forests standing if we are to stand a chance at stabilizing our climate. Because the causes of forest destruction are so varied and complex, protecting forests requires sustained collaboration and investment. At the Rainforest Alliance, we take a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to stopping deforestation -one that puts communities and livelihoods at its center. From working with companies to build ethical supply chains and advance sustainability policies to boosting rural economies in collaboration with forest communities. Together, we will keep raising our voices for bolder immediate and long-term action from our world leaders to keep our planet's precious forests intact.

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The World Ablaze: Why Our Forests Are Burning

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From the Amazon to the Arctic, forests around the world are burning. Catastrophic manmade fires are raging across the Brazilian Amazon, imperiling the world's most biodiverse forest. In Indonesia, annual blazes set to clear land for oil palm plantations are ravaging the ancient rainforests of Kalimantan and Sumatra.

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* Tropical Rain forests are huge contributors for slowing down climate change because they suck up a huge amount of CO2
* The average precipitation is about 120mm
* Rain forests cover about 3% of the planet

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Rainforests are essential to life on Earth. Not only do they provide air, water, medicine, food, and shelter to a multitude of living beings, they are also one of our best natural defenses against climate change because of their capacity to absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

When the founders of the Rainforest Alliance set out more than thirty years ago to save the world's rainforests, we quickly learned that in order to do so, we'd have to transform the agricultural sector (the number one driver of deforestation worldwide), as well as forestry. From the beginning, our approach has been to work with farmers and indigenous and forest communities to cultivate sustainable rural livelihoods that incentivize conservation.

Sign up for useful tips to green your life and protect our planet.

Today, we work in more than 60 countries to stop deforestation and initiate reforestation, improve livelihoods, and protect biodiversity. Although rainforests cover less than 3 percent of the planet, these ecological powerhouses are critical to nearly every aspect of the planet's health-including our very ability to breathe.

Here's what everyone should know about rainforests:

1. Rainforests are a powerful natural climate solution

Amazon rainforest

Not only do they regulate global temperatures, they also cool and regulate local micro-climates and limit the Earth's reflectivity-which in turn stabilizes ocean currents, wind, and rainfall patterns. In a 2017 analysis published in the scientific journal PNAS, climate scientists concluded that natural climate solutions, including forest conservation/restoration and sustainable agriculture, could provide more than one-third of the global climate mitigation necessary to stabilize warming to below 2 °C.

2. Tropical forests have become a net carbon emitters.

In a distressing development, a 2017 study published in the journal Science reveals that tropical forests that once served as the Earth's carbon sinks now emit more carbon than they absorb, because of deforestation and forest loss caused by humans. However, we cannot afford to give up on tropical forests. Restoring them and their ability to sequester carbon is one of several critical steps we must take to address our global climate crisis.

3. Tropical rainforests cover less than 3% of the planet, yet they are home to more than half our planet's terrestrial animal species

Bengal tigers, mountain gorillas, orangutans, jaguars, and blue poison dart frogs are just a few of the magnificent animals found in rainforests. Sadly, many of these species are on the brink of extinction, and their continued existence is crucial to maintaining the balance of marvelously efficient-but delicate-rainforest ecosystems.

4. Rainforests play an essential role in maintaining the Earth's limited supply of fresh water

Rainforests add water to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration, by which plants release water from their leaves during photosynthesis. Deforestation reduces the moisture released into the atmosphere, causing rainfall to decrease. This is why the loss of forests often leads to drought. Forests are also natural water filters, keeping pollution and debris from flowing into water supplies and slowing the movement of rainwater so it flows into underground reserves. Scientists estimate that about 15% of the world's freshwater flows from the Amazon Basin alone.

5. Rainforest plants are used in some of the world's most important, life-saving medicines.

More than 60 percent of anticancer drugs originate from natural sources, including rainforest plants, according to research published in the . Because rainforests are so rich in biodiversity, they hold enormous potential for future discoveries. Compounds in rainforest plants are already used to treat malaria, heart disease, bronchitis, hypertension, rheumatism, diabetes, muscle tension, arthritis, glaucoma, dysentery, and tuberculosis, among other health problems. And many commercially available anesthetics, enzymes, hormones, laxatives, cough mixtures, antibiotics, and antiseptics are also derived from rainforest plants and herbs.

According to Global Forest Watch, our planet loses tropical forestland equivalent to the size of Bangladesh is every year. In 2017 alone, we lost 15.8 million hectares of tropical forests; all told, humans have destroyed nearly half of the world's original forest cover.

7. 1 out of 4 people worldwide depend on forests for their livelihoods.

Nearly 1.6 billion people-more than 25% of the world's population-rely on forest resources for their livelihoods, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and most of them (1.2 billion) use trees on farms to generate food and income. Generating sustainable, forest-based livelihoods that incentivize conservation is a proven approach to saving the world's forests.

The Rainforest Alliance's Sustainable Agriculture Standard includes requirements designed to protect standing forests, including native forest set-asides for large farms and practices that nurture soil health and increase productivity on existing farmland (thereby reducing pressure to expand by cutting down forests). Added benefit: the shade requirements for Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee and cocoa farms also contribute to better quality crops.

9. Working in partnership with rural communities is an effective, proven approach to keeping forests standing and conserving natural resources

The Rainforest Alliance works hand-in-hand with indigenous, forest, and farming communities to advance sustainable development initiatives that cultivate rural prosperity, which is key to the successful conservation of standing forests and other natural resources. Since 2011, the rural producers and indigenous communities participating in these initiatives have earned $191 million in revenue while protecting their natural resources.

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Rainforests are essential to life on Earth. Not only do they provide air, water, medicine, food, and shelter to a multitude of living beings, they are also one of our best natural defenses against climate change because of their capacity to absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

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The Agoutis is the main keystone species in a lot of tropical forests. In the amazon trees depend on Agoutis's to open their seeds and spread them. Without Agoutis's spreading seeds and without them eating invasive bugs the amazon would have not been a successful ecosystem.

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29 May 2020 (1496 visits)

Agouti is the common name for any of twelve species of rodents native to the forests of Central and South America. Across their different species, agoutis vary in color, from brown to red, gray or even black. Agoutis are related to guinea pigs, which they resemble, although they are larger than guinea pigs and have longer legs. The overall effect of their appearance and behavior is reminiscent of squirrels, although agoutis don't have long bushy tails! Depending on their individual species, agoutis will grow to between 40 and 76 centimeters in length (approximately 16 to 30 inches) and weigh anything from 2.5 to 6 kilograms (between 5 and 13 pounds). Another relative of the agouti is the paca.

In the wild, agoutis are timid creatures. However, they have a reputation for becoming easily accustomed to the presence of humans, and easily tamed. At our own Tambopata Ecolodge, in the forests of southeastern Peru, agoutis are seen by all guests to our lodge, and can often be spotted venturing into the gardens surrounding the lodge buildings! Agoutis are fast-moving animals, trotting gracefully on tiptoe, springing agilely as they move through the forest understory, and sitting on their hind legs and clutching food in their front paws when they stop to feed.

Agoutis tend to feed on fallen fruit, and although they prefer to remain among the undergrowth on the forest floor where they feel safest and most at home, they will also climb into mid-level rainforest in search of unripe fruits. Agoutis also feed on leaves and roots.

Across their different species, agoutis tend to be most active during the day, although they have been known to adopt more nocturnal habits in areas where they feel threatened. Agoutis can be seen gathering in large numbers when feeding. When they are not feeding, they will seek refuge in hollow tree trunks, or in shallow burrows among root systems.

Breeding pairs of agoutis will remain together for life. Female agoutis give birth to one or two young at a time, in their customary sleeping spots. Agoutis are born extremely well-developed, and become fully active very quickly. On their first day after birth, agoutis are taken by their mother to potential refuge sites on the forest floor, where the young prepare their own nests with leaves and twigs. Because the young build nests small enough to protect themselves from predators, their mother cannot visit them. Instead, she calls them every morning and evening to feed. In the wild, agoutis can live for up to twenty years.

Agoutis are known as an Amazon rainforest keystone species because in the forests of both Brazil and southeastern Peru, brazil nut trees depend on agoutis and their strong, sharp teeth to open their extremely hard seedpods and ensure the dispersal of their seeds. Without the agouti to disperse their seeds, and orchid bees to pollinate their flowers, there would be no brazil nut trees in the forests of the Amazon basin!

Click on image to enlarge:

Weather:

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29 May 2020 (1497 visits) Agouti is the common name for any of twelve species of rodents native to the forests of Central and South America. Across their different species, agoutis vary in color, from brown to red, gray or even black.

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* Global warming - Hot summers are very bad for the kelp. The kelp grows in cold water so heat kills the kelp.
* Costal Development - This just takes away the kelp forest areas. Building in kelp habitat's kills the ecosystem as well.

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national oceanic and atmospheric administration

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Impacts on Kelp Forests | Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

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Welcome to the National Marine Sanctuaries Ecosystems section. Here we will describe and discuss a habitat present in one or more of the national marine sanctuaries.

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* Kelp is classified as "brown algae"
* Kelp can grow 18 inches per day
* Kelp doesn't have roots
* The kelp has gas filled "bladders" to help float
* Kelp is used for some shampoos and toothpastes.

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Towers of underwater kelp form undulating forests in shallow waters in many parts of the world. Sometimes called the rain forests of the sea, these lush beds of seaweed are also disappearing like the jungle forests. In fact, rising sea temperatures along the coast of Australia have wiped out more than 60 miles of kelp forest, making it the most rapid and extensive kelp loss ever documented, according to a new study released in the journal Science.

Found in warm waters around the globe, these fascinating underwater ecosystems harbor an array of inhabitants. Here's a collection of interesting information about the mysterious world of kelp forests.

1. It's a Type of Algae or Seaweed

Although it looks a lot like a tree, kelp is actually a type of brown algae or seaweed. Kelp belongs to several species of the order Laminariales.

2. Kelp Can Grow Quickly

In ideal conditions, kelp can grow up to 18 inches per day, according to National Ocean Service, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA/ That's why it can seem like a kelp forest can almost pop up overnight. Kelp can often grow as high as 150 feet underwater.

3. Found Around the World

Kelp forests are found throughout the world including along the west coasts of North and South America, the southern tip of Africa and Australia, and islands near Antarctica. In North America, kelp forests are found on the Pacific Coast, from Alaska and Canada to the waters of Baja California, reports NOAA.

4. It Likes Cool Water

Kelp is most often found in cool, shallow, nutrient-rich water. Kelp forests grow in water that is between 49 to131 feet deep, according to NOAA. That's because kelp depends on light for photosynthesis.

5. A Place of Shelter

Many living things find shelter or food in kelp's blades. Many use kelp to hide with their young from predators or to weather the turbulence of storms. According to NOAA, among the many mammals and birds that use kelp for shelter or feeding include seals and sea lions, whales, sea otters, gulls, terns, snowy egrets, great blue herons, cormorants and shore birds.

6. Uses Holdfasts to Stay Secure

Kelp doesn't have roots. Instead, it uses something called holdfasts to attach itself to solid structures such as rocks, reports the National Park Service. Holdfasts act like roots, but they don't absorb nutrients.

7. Bladders Allow Floating

Many species of kelp have pneumatocysts, which are gas-filled bladders that help keep the fronds afloat in the water.

8. Warmer Summers Are Bad

Summers that are warmer than normal can be harmful to kelp forests, according to Oceana. In addition, very strong storms can wipe out large areas of kelp forest by ripping the plants from the seafloor. Sea urchins are also a danger because big groups of sea urchins can prevent the plants from growing large enough to form forests.

9. Can Be Damaged

Kelp forests can also be damaged by destructive fishing practices, coastal pollution and accidental damage caused by boat entanglement, according to Oceana.

10. It Has Many Uses

Kelp is harvested for use in many products including shampoos and toothpastes, and a wide range of foods such as salad dressings, puddings, cakes, dairy products and frozen foods. It's even used in some pharmaceuticals. Algin is extracted from kelp and used as an emulsifying agent in these products. Between 100,000 and 170,000 wet tons of kelp are harvested just from California waters each year, according to NOAA.

11. Kelp Farming is Popular

Kelp is also farmed as a crop, part of a $5 billion global seaweed-farming industry. Kelp absorbs CO2 from seawater, helping fight climate change while also making nearby water less acidic. That's why many kelp farms also raise shellfish, since less acidity creates a better environment for shell growth. By growing kelp and mussels on floating ropes, which also support baskets of scallops and oysters, a farm can produce 40 metric tons of kelp and 1 million bivalves per hectare per year.

12. Easy To Buy

You can buy kelp, sometimes called kombu, at some health food stores or grocery stores. It's low in calories and high in calcium and vitamin K, according to SF Gate.

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Towers of underwater kelp form undulating forests in shallow waters in many parts of the world. Sometimes called the rain forests of the sea, these lush beds of seaweed are also disappearing like the jungle forests.

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Sea Otters are the Key Stone species of the kelp forests. This is because they eat a large amount of sea urchins. This keeps the kelp growing. If there were too many Sea urchins they would eat all the kelp and the whole ecosystem rely's on the kelp so the ecosystem would shut down.

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Learn about the sea otters role in maintaining the balance of the kelp forest ecosystem Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

NARRATOR: Sea otters are known as aquatic, playful creatures that spend much of their time floating on their backs. They also serve a vital role in maintaining the health of their ecosystem.

Sea otters live along the Pacific coast of North America. This region is lined with kelp forests, which are like underwater rainforests. They are composed of large masses of seaweed that grow upward toward the ocean surface. Kelp forests have several tiers and a canopy, providing food and shelter for the animals of the coastline ecosystem.

Sea urchins--spiny creatures found on the ocean floor--eat kelp at its roots. If a great number of sea urchins feed on a kelp bed, the seaweed will die and float away. The fish and shellfish that depend on the kelp forest will lose their habitat, and their populations will decline greatly.

The presence of sea otters can protect a kelp forest. They eat large amounts of sea urchins, which keeps the creature's numbers in check and prevents the destruction of the kelp forest. Sea otters are a keystone species of the coastline ecosystem. They have an unusually large effect on their community, and without them the whole system would collapse.

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Learn about the sea otters role in maintaining the balance of the kelp forest ecosystem

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NARRATOR: Sea otters are known as aquatic, playful creatures that spend much of their time floating on their backs. They also serve a vital role in maintaining the health of their ecosystem. Sea otters live along the Pacific coast of North America. This region is lined with kelp forests, which are like underwater rainforests.

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Abiotic Factors
* Shallow water
* Wind
Biotic Factors
* Kelp
* Octopus

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Kelp typically grows in cold ocean water. Large kelp forests are found in areas less than 68 degrees fahrenheit. Kelp relies on photosynthesis which requires light, which is why kelp lies in...

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Abiotic Factors
* gases
* water density
* light penetration
Biotic Factors
* Fish
* Coral reef

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Great Barrier Reef biotic and abiotic

The Great Barrier Reef is well known for its amazing plants and animal life which results in a range of abiotic and biotic factors. The factors include; 1500 species of fish, 5,000 species of clams and sea slugs,22 species of sea birds, 30 species of dolphins and whales, 6 species of turtles, 17 species of sea snakes and 360 types of coral. These different species include, Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Cardinal fish, Clown fish, Dugong, Green turtle, Loggerhead turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Flatback turtle, Olive idly turtle and Leatherback turtle, zooplankton, sea urchin, Moray Eel, Manta Ray, Jelly fish, sea grass, coral reef algae, phytoplankton, hard coral and soft coral. The Great Barrier Reef coral, algae, phytoplankton and sea grass is known as a biotic as it is a main food supply for many organisms. However, these elements may be polluted and damaged which can result for animal life to die as they don't have a food producer which also means the food chain dies. Nutrients are an main element for abiotic factors as they are necessary for organisms to survive. Nutrients give growth and life to plants which then is eaten by the living organisms in the Great Barrier Reef. Light is another abiotic factor as these food producers need light to survive. However, light is not essential as it effects how organisms see its prey and how it undertakes every everyday activities.

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The Great Barrier Reef is well known for its amazing plants and animal life which results in a range of abiotic and biotic factors. The factors include; 1500 species of fish, 5,000 species of clams and sea slugs,22 species of sea birds, 30 species of dolphins and whales, 6 species of turtles, 17 species of sea snakes and 360 types of coral.

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Abiotic Factors
* Low Temperatures
* Permafrost
* High altitude
Biotic Factors
* Wildflowers
* Marmot

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High in the mountains, the climate is cold and windy with little precipitation. The alpine tundra biome is home to hardy plants and animals that are suited to life at high elevations.

The organisms that make up the biotic factors of alpine tundra ecosystems survive the harsh conditions with physical and behavioral adaptations.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

The biotic factors of the alpine tundra include low-growing hardy plants like mosses, shrubs and wildflowers and cold-adapted animals such as elk, hares, foxes, falcons and mosquitos.

Alpine Tundra Geography

The tundra biome is found in the frozen, treeless Arctic region. Tundra biomes also exist at high elevations in lower latitudes where climate conditions are similar to the polar region. The alpine tundra shares many characteristics with the polar tundra but can be found on mountains around the world.

In the Rocky Mountains, alpine tundra begins around 11,000 feet. In the mountains of California, the alpine tundra of Mount Shasta in the Cascade Range begins around 9,000 feet, but the tundra in the Sierra Nevada Mountains farther to the south starts at around 11,500 feet.

Alpine Tundra Landscape and Climate

Alpine tundra is characterized by rocky terrain with soil that is low in the nutrients plants need for growth, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Alpine weather is cold, dry and windy, with most of the year's precipitation falling as snow in winter.

Conditions such as soil, landforms, sunlight, temperature and precipitation make up the abiotic, or nonliving, factors in an ecosystem. The abiotic factors of the alpine biome place limitations on the diversity and abundance of biotic factors, or living things, in an ecosystem.

Plants of the Alpine Tundra

The harsh growing conditions of the alpine tundra directly effect the types of plants that the ecosystem can support. Plants must be able to withstand cold temperatures and strong wind and survive with little rainfall and shallow soil.

Plants in the alpine tundra are low-growing perennials that resist breakage from high winds and freezing from low temperatures by growing close to the ground. The soil's poor nutrient quality also inhibits plant growth, which limits their size and how fast they grow.

Shrubs, grasses, mosses and herbaceous flowering plants take advantage of moisture from melting snow in spring and summer to maximize their short growing season.

Adapting to the Alpine Tundra

Hardy alpine plants have adapted to life in the tundra by economizing the amount of sunlight and water needed for photosynthesis. Some plants are covered in a hair-like growth that offers protection from the cold. Growing a long taproot is another adaptation that allows some plants to seek soil and water deep below the rocky surface.

Although they are not plants, lichens are common organisms that grow on the rocky tundra and in alpine meadows. Lichens are formed from a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi that allow them to photosynthesize and obtain water without roots.

Alpine Tundra Animals

Animals in the alpine tundra range from insects and tiny rodents to large grazing mammals and birds of prey. Because they are consumers, their survival is tied to the success of plant populations and other producers in the ecosystem. Primary consumers that feed on plants include:

Animal Adaptations in the Tundra

Alpine animals have anatomical and physiological adaptations that are suited to living in cold temperatures.

Shorter legs, tails and ears help keep heat close the center of the body and help to avoid frozen appendages. Thick fur and a layer of fat protect tissues from the cold. Insects have proteins in their cells that lower the freezing point of body fluids.

Some animals, such as bears, survive the winter by lowering their metabolic rate during hibernation. Birds such as hawks, falcons and sparrows migrate to warmer climates when the brief summer growing season ends. Some birds reproduce quickly during the short summer, while others wait to breed after migration.

About the Author

A.P. Mentzer graduated from Rutgers University with degrees in Anthropology and Biological Sciences. She worked as a researcher and analyst in the biotech industry and a science editor for an educational publishing company prior to her career as a freelance writer and editor. Alissa enjoys writing about life science and medical topics, as well as science activities for children

Photo Credits

Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images

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The alpine tundra biome is located in mountainous areas at high elevations. The climate is similar to the arctic tundra. Plants, animals and other living things make up the biotic factors of alpine tundra ecosystems. These organisms have adaptations that allow them to survive the harsh conditions.

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Abiotic Factors
* rain
* hills
* temperature
Biotic Factors
* red fox
* moose

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Canada's Boreal Forests

The boreal forest is Canada's largest ecosystem. It stretches about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) across the country. Most of the trees in the boreal forest are coniferous, but some are deciduous. The biome also features many wetlands and lakes.

Boreal forests are home to caribou, wolverines, black bears, moose, coyotes, beavers, snowshoe hares, and wood bison. Wood bison are the biggest land mammals in North America. A third of the birds in North America migrate to the boreal forest to breed. People also rely on these ecosystems. Boreal ecosystems provide timber (wood), minerals, and foods like herbs and berries. The trees and wetlands of the boreal forest help the whole planet. They clean our air, filter our water, and keep the planet's climate from getting too warm.

Wildfires and tree-eating insects sometimes destroy trees in the boreal forest. This helps the ecosystem by allowing new trees to grow. However, climate change makes fires and insect attacks more harmful. To keep forests healthy, people must work to stop climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.

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Coniferous Forests - PowerKnowledge Life Science

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The boreal forest is Canada's largest ecosystem. It stretches about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) across the country. Most of the trees in the boreal forest are coniferous, but some are deciduous. The biome also features many wetlands and lakes. Boreal forests are home to caribou, wolverines, black bears, moose, coyotes, beavers, snowshoe hares, and wood bison.

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Abiotic Factors
* Extreme Temperatures
* Altitude
* Low moisture
Biotic Factors
* Wild goats
* Mule deer

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Biotic Factor - An aspect of the environment that is living, either plant or animal
Community - The inhabitants of an ecosystem, which influence each other in various ways and the ecosystem as a whole
Monarch Butterfly - Danaus Plexippus
Monarch butterflies are born as larvae in a protective casing. As the larvae grow they become caterpillars. Once a caterpillar has matured it creates a casing around itself and enters the pupa stage of the lifecycle.
Emerging as a butterfly, the adult Monarch has bright orange and black distinctive markings which it uses to ward of predators. Alongside the bright markings the Monarch butterfly is also foul tasting, this deters predators from eating it. The Monarch has a lifespan of six to eight months. It can grow to sizes of 10 cm. The Monarch feeds on the Milkweed bush almost solely.

Honey Bee - Apis Mellifera
Honey bees live in colonies where they work as a collective to survive. As the name suggests Honey Bees produce honey, which they store and use as food for the colony. The presence of Honey Bees is very important for flowering plants as they assist in their pollination. There are three types of Bee in a colony: workers, drones and the queen. The queen and workers are female whilst drones are male. Workers are responsible for foraging, guarding the hive and providing food. Drones are responsible for breeding with the queen. The queen lays eggs, up to 2,000 a day, and regulates the behaviour of the workers. Honey Bees rely on their sting for defense.

Ladybug - Coccinellidae
The Ladybug is well known for its distinctive red half sphere with black spots. The red and black are used as a sign to deter predators, if the warning is ineffective the ladybug can also secrete a foul tasting fluid from their joints. Ladybugs feed on plant-eating insects like Aphids, which they consume in large amounts. Ladybugs lay their eggs in Aphid colonies so when they hatch they will have a ready supply of food.

Preying Mantis - Mantodea
These insects are formidable predators, preying on animals up to three times their size.
Green or brown in colour, mantids are well camouflaged and prefer to hunt by laying in wait for prey or stalking it slowly. Mantids use their barbed forearms to capture prey and they can strike faster than the naked eye can see. Mantids prey on a large range of small insects such as: crickets, grasshoppers, flies, moths and beetles. Mantids will also eat other mantids, as such they tend to be solitary animals. Mantids have two compound eyes and three simple eyes and can rotate their head 180° degrees. They have an average lifespan of twelve months.

Burrowing Scorpions - Anuroctonus Phaiodactylus
These scorpions spent the large majority of their lives in their burrows, hence their name. Each scorpion constructs their own burrow. The Burrowing scorpion preys on small insects. Their preferred method of hunting is to wait for prey to enter the burrow and then subdue it, relying on their large pincers. The scorpion's sting is relatively harmless and is akin to the sting of a bee. The burrows of the scorpion are located in rocky hills and grassland and their burrows are easily visible from the surface.

Black Tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus Californicus
Common in the Western United states and Mexico the Jackrabbit resides in hot and dry areas like the Chaparral biome. Jackrabbits are well adapted to suit their environment, they have ears with an extremely large surface area, allowing them to cool their blood very efficiently. The Jackrabbit's long legs allow it to run at speeds of up to sixty kilometres per hour, it relies on this speed to allow it to outrun predators. The Jackrabbit's padded and fur covered soles allow it to run on the hot ground and its grey fur enables it to blend in with its surroundings. Jackrabbits prefer to feed in open areas where predators are easily visible. They feed at night, on virtually all types of vegetation, the Jackrabbit is extremely adaptable.

Mule Deer - Odocoileus Hemionus
Mule Deer can be found throughout the Chaparral landscapes of America and Mexico. They are named after the similarity between their ears and those of a mule. Mule Deer browse on shrub and gorse predominantly, the kind of vegetation that is typically seen in the Chaparral biome. Mule Deer live from nine to eleven years on average. They react to danger by bounding away from the suspected threat. They are typically a metre and a half tall.

Anna's Hummingbird - Calypte Anna
Although no larger than a ping pong ball these tiny hummingbirds are very distinctive, the male's head and throat are a shiny reddish-pink, while the rest of their body is green to grey. They feed on nectar from plants in the American Chaparral. Their wings move constantly at high speeds to allow them to hover in the air. The legs of Anna's Hummingbird are very short so they are only able shuffle side to side whilst perched, yet they are very graceful when in flight.

California Mouse - Peromyscus californicus
One of the many species of mice that inhabit the Chaparral biome. Characterised by long ears and a tail twice the length of its body. California Mice are nocturnal and feed on fruits, flowers and seeds. They pair for life and both of the partners help to raise young. They create nests under fallen logs and line them with sticks and dead grass to insulate them against the cold desert nights.
Mouflon - Ovis Musimon
Mouflon are one of two ancestors to the modern day sheep. The Mouflon can be found in the Chaparral environments of western Europe. The Mouflon inhabits higher Chaparral elevations and relies on the rocky slopes and hills to protect it from predators. Mouflon have a dark reddish brown coat with a white underbelly. Both male and female Mouflon grow horns but the males are typically larger. Mouflon feed on grass and shrubs, its digestive system is suited to the tough and hard to digest vegetation found in the Chaparral biome. The Mouflon's stomach has multiple chambers and it regurgitates its food to gain the maximum amount of nutrients possible.

Coyote - Canis Latrans
The Coyote is a very clever and adaptable creature. The Coyote is very similar physiologically and behaviourally to the Fox, who it shares its Chaparral habitat with. Coyotes will eat rabbits, rodents, small mammals, fish, frogs, snakes, deer and insects. Their diet is dependent on what is available. Coyotes' primary source of food is meat, but they will eat fruit and grasses as well. Coyotes have a strong sense of smell and sensitive hearing, combined with their cunning nature they are very effective hunters. Because of their effectiveness they have spread their range out significantly from what it once was. Coyotes can run at speeds of 64 kilometres an hour. When food is scarce Coyotes form packs.

Mountain Lion - Felis Concolor
The apex predator of the Chaparral environment, Mountain Lions are formidable predators and well equipped for survival. Mountain lions hunt at dawn and dusk. Their favoured method of hunting is to stalk prey and wait for an opportunity then strike with a powerful bite to the back of the neck. Mountain lions prey primarily on deer, although they will hunt smaller mammals like coyotes and raccoons. They can weigh up to sixty two kilograms and grow to 1.6 meters long.

Red-Shouldered Hawk - Buteo Lineatus
The Red-Shouldered hawk is one of the many birds of prey who patrol the skies of the Chaparral biome. The Red-Shouldered Hawk feeds on small mammals, lizards, snakes and frogs. As the name suggests they have distinctive red markings along the front of its wings. The Red-Shouldered hawk can be found throughout America.
Gray Fox - Urocyon Cinereoargenteus
The Gray Fox's diet consists of small mammals like rabbits, voles and mice, it will also eat birds and insects. The Gray Fox is predominately silver-grey with red markings. They have a large bushy tail and range from 80 to 120 centimetres in length. The gray fox is a solitary hunter but it is monogamous, meaning it has a partner for life, with whom it reproduces multiple times. Litter sizes of the Gray Fox range from one to seven.

Western Spotted Skunk - Spilogale Gracilis The Western Spotted Skunk preys primarily on rodents, rabbits and insects but, like many animals in the Chaparral biome, can also eat roots and berries, this adaptability is required for the fluctuating sources of food found in the harsh environment. They have a body length between 24 and 38 cms long and a tail length between 9 and 20 cms. The Western Spotted Skunk, like all skunks, has the ability to deter predators by spraying foul smelling musk at them.

Coyote Brush - Baccharis Pilularis
Coyote Brush can be found throughout the Chaparral environment of California. It inhabits all forms of the biome, from coastal scrubland to rocky hillsides. The Coyote Brush is a evergreen bush, with wiry limbs and hard bark. Its egg shaped leaves are small and waxy. The bark and leaves of the plant are well adapted to minimise water loss. Coyote Brush is also extremely fire resistant, with thick bark and oily leaves which prevent them from burning. As well as being fire retardant the oils on the leaves also make the plant unappetising to herbivores. The Coyote Shrub has a large root system which extends far from the tree, ensuring the maximum amount of moisture is collected.

Olive Tree - Olea Europaea
The Olive tree requires very particular conditions to grow: a hot summer with large amounts of sun, a mild winter and well drained soil. The Chaparral biome is ideal for Olive tree growth. Like most small trees and bushes in the Chaparral environment the Olive tree is evergreen, with small leaves and rough, thick grey bark. The leaves of the Olive tree are small and almond shaped. The branches of the tree are thin and dense.
Common Sagebrush - Artemisia Tridentata
Common Sagebrush can be found in arid environments throughout south-west America. Sagebrush grows in well drained and sheltered areas, like the rocky hills of the Chaparral biome. The Sagebrush is a short shrub with thin stems, the leaves are 3 cm long with a ragged three pointed edge. The roots of the Sagebrush are a combination of deep and concentrated and shallow and spread, this allows the plant to tap into deeper moisture sources when water is scarce and to capture more when there is more widely available on the surface.

French Broom - Cytisus Monspessulanus
The French Broom is a medium height shrub that grows in thick stands. It can grow to heights of two meters and forms stands of foliage which can block out other species. The branches of the French Broom are typically straight and green, covered with small centimetre long leaves. Between April and June small pea-sized yellow flowers occur in two's and three's along the stems of the plant. It is so named because its twigs used to be trimmed and used as brooms.

Manzanita is a low shrub that can be found in the Chaparral environment of California, where it grows on hillsides and other sunny well drained sites. Manzanita, like many plants in the Chaparral biome, rely on large amounts of sunlight and little to no moisture in a well drained environment. The branches of Manzanita are dense and the leaves are circular and stiff. They rely on fire to germinate their seeds and animals like birds, foxes and coyotes to spread them. Mariposa Manzanita - Arctostaphylos manzanita

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Biotic Factor - An aspect of the environment that is living, either plant or animal Community - The inhabitants of an ecosystem, which influence each other in various ways and the ecosystem as a whole Monarch Butterfly - Danaus Plexippus Monarch butterflies are born as larvae in a protective casing.

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Abiotic Factors
* rocks
* dirt
* rivers
Biotic Factors
* antelope
* prairie dogs

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The grasslands of the world constitute a major part of ecosystems in different parts of the world ( like lagre parts of Africa ) and has characteristic properties .Grasslands are regions dominated by the members of Poaceae(family) along with other herbs and small shurbs. In addition to that the sedges and rushes are also found and it occurs in all continents except Antarctica. Agrasslands populate almost all ecological regions and can be grouped into six catgories ,namely,

tropical and subtroipical grasslands

Xeric and desert grassland

The abiotic and biotic factors of the grassland are instrumental in shaping the sturcture and function of the ecosystem. The different abiotic and biotic factors operate differentia;lly in the different types of grassland ecosystems according to their respective environmental conditions.Abiotic and biotic factors of the grassland play fundamental roles in survival of the grassland ecosystem.

Abiotic Factors of Grassland Ecosystem

Ther abiotic factors of the grassland basically consists of the following:
Climate:

It is one of the most crucial aboitic factors that shape the ecosystem and includes rainfall, temperature, wind flow, ground moisture etc. Natural grasslands have a precipitaion of 500 -900 mm per year,whereas , the deserts have a rainfall of about 250 mm /year.This rainfall maintains the moisture and interacts with the abiotic and biotic factors of the grassland .

The tropical rainforests, however, have rainfall of more than 2000mm per year. Grasslands can occur in high rainfall areas whereother growths are not that successful due to heavy rainfall.

The climate of the grasslands range from cool to hot summers and may even range to ice in winter in higher latitudes.

Temperature has a wide spectrum of distribution throughout the world .the average temperature of the grassland is form - 20°C to 30 °C.
Parental material and soil

The parental material refers to the bedrock on which the soil has been formed.

The type of he bedrock has influence on the type of soil and hence the nutrient value of the soil..Grasslands have a thich layer of humus soil on the top layer of the surface which is a storehouse of different minerals and is the region where the recycling of different elements take place tgrough the detritus food chains

This layer is largely produced due to breakdown of the root structures of plants and plays its role in as thye abiotic and biotic factors of grassland .

Topograpgy:
It is the variety of landscapes present and is determined by slopes, elevation and aspects.
Natural disturbances:
Natural disturbances alter the grasslands in many ways ,affect their species diversity, distribution, community formations ,successions etc.Floods during havy rains, scorched conditions in high summers or ice formation in winter all contribute to the grassland ecosystem

Biotic Factors of Grassland Ecosystems
BIOTIC FACTORS

The biotic factors of the grassland ecosystem includes the autotrophs, and the heterotrophs, that is the producers, pirmary consumers, secondary consumers and the tertiary consumers.

Priomary producers:The primary producers include the autotrophs that can photosynthesize and includes the grasses, sedged, rushes, cyanobacteria. lichens, mosses, trees etc.

The primary and the secondary consumers includes the rabbits, moles , hares, elks, small deers insome places along with the phytophagous insects , snakes, preying birds, insect feeders and in some grassland ecosystems like in Africa where there are carnivores like the panthers. lions, foxes, wild dogs, etc
The bacteria , fungi and other microorganisms form the detritus food chain that is involved in the nutrient cycling of the grassland.

Courtesy: tutorvista

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Abiotic and Biotic Factors of the Grasslands

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The grasslands of the world constitute a major part of ecosystems in different parts of the world ( like lagre parts of Africa ) and has characteristic properties .Grasslands are regions dominated by the members of Poaceae(family) along with other herbs and small shurbs.

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Abiotic Factors
* Rocks
* Not much rain
* Soil (non fertile)
Biotic Factors
* bears
* foxes

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The taiga biome has numerous different abiotic and biotic factors. Some abiotic
factors include water, rocks, air, sunlight, and soil. Some biotic factors
include evergreen trees, lynx, bobcat, snow rabbit, and mosses.

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The taiga biome has numerous different abiotic and biotic factors. Some abiotic factors include water, rocks, air, sunlight, and soil. Some biotic factors include evergreen trees, lynx, bobcat, snow rabbit, and mosses.

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Abiotic Factors
* topography
* light
* wind
Biotic Factors
* Bacteria - streptomyces
* Cougar

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Biotic and Abiotic - Temperate Deciduous Forest

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Abiotic Factors
* humidity
* soil composition
Biotic Factors
* Toucans
* Frogs
* Snakes

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Biotic factors are the living things in an ecosystem that have an impact on other living things and/or the environment. The tropical rainforests (also known as tropical wet forests) are found in the equatorial regions of Earth and they contain the oldest major vegetation type still in existence. Flowering plants first appeared in tropical rainforests about 100 million years ago. About 40 million years ago when the climate became cooler and drier, other types of vegetation evolved across larger areas as these forests expanded. Over 50% of the plant and animal species on Earth are found in tropical rainforests.

Biotic Factors of the Tropical Rainforest

Biotic factors in any ecosystem are classified as producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs) and decomposers (detritivores). Plants are mostly producers and the decomposers are organisms like fungi and earthworms. Consumers have to eat other organisms to get their energy.

Animals

Animals are consumers and rely on producers to make some of their food, but they eat other consumers, too. Animals that live in the tropical rainforests include birds like parrots, the collared sunbird, the keel-billed toucan, pigeons and the bird of paradise. Other animals are spider monkeys, deer, kinkajou, okapi, Western lowland gorillas, tree kangaroos, pigs, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, bandicoots, opossums and the three-toed sloth.

Plants

One hectare of tropical rainforest can have over 800 species of trees and 1,500 species of higher plants. Also, about two-thirds of the world's flowering plants are in tropical rainforests. They include orchids, lilies, heliconia and bromeliads. Tropical rainforests can have various fungi, shrubs, herbs, woody vines, lichens and mosses. The trees making up the rainforest canopy include the tonka bean wood, teak, rubber and several species of evergreens and palm trees.

Insects

There can be as many as 42,000 different species of insects in one hectare of tropical rainforest. They include beetles (over 1,000 species), arachnids, scorpions, praying mantises, katydids, weaver ants, bullet ants, butterflies, centipedes, cockroaches, jeweled caterpillars, wasps and bees.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Some of the reptiles and amphibians that live in the tropical rainforest are poison dart frogs, boa constrictors, green anacondas, reticulated pythons, toads, newts, salamanders, turtles, tortoises, lizards, iguanas, chameleons and crocodiles.

The image above shows the Ulva Island rainforest in New Zealand.

References

Tropical rainforest. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved July 3, 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_rainforest#Biodiversity_and_speciation

Tropical rainforest. (2017, July 3). In Encyclopedia Britannica online. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/tropical-rainforest

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Biotic Factors of the Tropical Rainforest | Biology Dictionary

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Biotic factors are the living things in an ecosystem that have an impact on other living things and/or the environment. The tropical rainforests (also known as tropical wet forests) are found in the equatorial regions of Earth and they contain the oldest major vegetation type still in existence.

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Abiotic Factors
* Warm Weather
* Nutrient-rich soil
* Sunlight
Biotic Factors
* Elephants
* Lions

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Weather Climate Soil Water Availability Fire

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Abiotic Factors
* Precipitation
* water availability
* sunlight
Biotic Factors
* Cacti
* Rattlesnake's

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Image

Species are not only adapted other living things within their ecosystems but also to the abiotic factors-nonliving physical and chemical aspects-in their environments. The sidewinder's ( Crotalus cerastes) characteristic movement style is an efficient way for it to navigate the sandy deserts where it is found.

Photograph from age fotostock

Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary

Animals walk, crawl, and slither over most of Earth, and plants thrive in places ranging from prairies to the bottoms of ponds. This abundance of life is possible because of many abiotic factors, which are the nonliving physical and chemical aspects of an ecosystem.

Abiotic factors are a bit like the Little Bear's porridge in the Goldilocks' story-they have to be just right in order for life to flourish. Many animals also require a particular set of abiotic factors to thrive. Imagine a snake living in the Arizona desert. It is right at home in that dry landscape because it is able to move through loose soil and sand by twisting its body. It can also avoid the heat by hiding under rocks. Some snakes are also nocturnal-that is, they hunt and move around mostly during the night when the sun is not shining. Now imagine that someone picks up one of these desert-adapted snakes and places it on a snowy peak in the Himalayas. The Himalayas lack the abiotic factors-like an arid climate and loose soil-that the snake is adapted to, and the snake likely will not be able to survive.

Humans, like other animals, also require certain abiotic factors to survive and live comfortably. For starters, we need oxygen to breathe-respiration powers our cells. We live on a planet that is shielded from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun; the cells in our bodies are susceptible to damage from ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet radiation can cause genetic damage and even trigger cancer. Earth's thick atmosphere acts as a shield against ultraviolet radiation.

As ecosystems change over time, abiotic factors can also vary. For instance, the pH of water is changing in some parts of the ocean as carbon dioxide dissolves in the water, making it more acidic. There has been a 30 percent increase in the acidity of some regions of the ocean since the Industrial Revolution. Some creatures, such as corals, are unable to adapt to this increased acidity, and coral reefs suffer as a result. Other animals, such as marine snails, are also hurt by acidic waters-their protective shells literally dissolve.

Humans have also learned how to intentionally alter the abiotic factors of the environment. For instance, every time you turn on the air conditioning or sprinkle salt on a road to help snow melt, you are changing abiotic factors.

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Director

Tyson Brown, National Geographic Society

Author

National Geographic Society

Production Managers

Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society
Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society

Program Specialists

Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society
Margot Willis, National Geographic Society

Producer

Clint Parks

Last Updated

Jan. 27, 2020

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Director

Tyson Brown, National Geographic Society

Author

National Geographic Society

Production Managers

Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society
Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society

Program Specialists

Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society
Margot Willis, National Geographic Society

Producer

Clint Parks

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Image Species are not only adapted other living things within their ecosystems but also to the abiotic factors-nonliving physical and chemical aspects-in their environments. The sidewinder's ( Crotalus cerastes) characteristic movement style is an efficient way for it to navigate the sandy deserts where it is found.

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Abiotic Factors
* Permafrost
* Little sunlight
* cold winds
Biotic Factors
* moss and shrubs
* foxes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dubbed the "Last Frontier," Alaska is a wild and untamed place with plenty to offer adventurous travelers. Whether you're cruising the Inside Passage, skiing Alyeska, or exploring one of the state's eight national parks, you'll find plenty to see and do there. But one of the more rewarding and accessible experiences is taking a tundra tour, which gives visitors a chance to explore some of the vast wilderness that makes up large sections of the state.

To help you find a tour that is right for you, we've compiled a list of five of the very best to help take you into the wild.

The Denali Tundra Tour

Denali National Park is truly one of the crown jewels of the entire U.S. national park system​ and should be at the top of every travelers "must-see" list when visiting Alaska. But, with only one road in or out, the majority of visitors don't get the chance to see the park in all its glory, let alone its namesake mountain, which is often shrouded by clouds. To truly get off the beaten path, sign up for the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour, which usually runs about 8 hours in length and takes visitors 60 miles off road. The route wanders into some of the more remote regions of the park where travelers are more likely to spot wildlife and possibly even catch a glimpse of the summit of Denali -- the highest mountain in North America.

A Visit to Barrow

Situated some 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and 1300 miles from the North Pole, Barrow, Alaska is the northernmost city in the U.S. It also happens to be surrounded on three sides by the Arctic Ocean, with vast amounts of tundra stretching away to the south. That makes it a great place to visit if your goal is to explore the remote wilderness that Alaska is so well known for.

There are a variety of day trips that can be taken out of Barrow that allow visitors to spot wildlife and interact with the local Inuit people as well, but without a doubt the best tundra tour takes place at night. That's when the beautiful aurora borealis (aka the Northern Lights) appear overhead, illuminating the landscape with a dazzling array of colors. Here, the night skies are crystal clear and there are almost no lights to interfere with the experience. Add in the fact that the aurora appears most evenings between September and April, and you're almost guaranteed to catch a glimpse of the greatest light show on Earth.

Be sure to dress warmly, however, as Barrow is one of the coldest places in the country as well.

Backpacking Through The Gates of the Arctic

The Gates of the Arctic is one of the least visited national parks in the entire U.S., with only a few thousand travelers making their way across its borders each year. The park has no roads leading in or out, and there are no facilities of any kind to be found in its interior either. In order to get there, travelers must travel by bush plane, which is a common form of transportation in the Alaskan wilderness. But those who are adventurous enough to make the journey are rewarded by a pristine landscape that remains almost completely untouched by man.

Adventure travel company Arctic Wild leads backpacking trips into the Gates of the Arctic each summer, with itineraries that take travelers into the heart of this extraordinary place, crossing a vast section of tundra along the way. Adventure travel just doesn't get any more remote or wild than this.

Take an Arctic Road Trip

Want to experience the wild tundra, but only have one day to spare on your schedule? If so, be sure to check out the Arctic Circle Tour from Alaskan Arctic Turtle Tours in Fairbanks. This excursion will send you off on an epic road trip that will take you well above the Arctic Circle as you cross the fabled Yukon River, pass through large expanses of wilderness, and stop at Finger Mountain to take in the excellent views. Chances are, you'll also spot some of Alaska's famous wildlife along the way too, as bears, moose, and other creatures are common throughout the area. You'll even receive an official certificate proving that you have visited and traveled through the Arctic.

Explore the Alaskan Interior by Train

Because roads are few and far between in the Alaskan interior, one of the best ways to explore that part of the state is by train. You can sit back and watch the world pass you by from the comfort of a train car, enjoying the scenery in much the same way as travelers from a bygone era.

Travel company Alaska Collection offers a 10-day rail adventure that begins and ends in Anchorage and offers access to both Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks, as well as lodge accommodations in both of those destinations as well. Visitors will also stay in Seward for one night, where they'll take a hike along the Exit Glacier, allowing them to get up close and personal with the massive slab of ice.

There are few better ways to explore a new destination than by train, and that holds true for Alaska as well.

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Looking for an Alaskan tundra tour? These are the very best available!

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Dubbed the "Last Frontier," Alaska is a wild and untamed place with plenty to offer adventurous travelers. Whether you're cruising the Inside Passage, skiing Alyeska, or exploring one of the state's eight national parks, you'll find plenty to see and do there.