How Does Permafrost Affect Animals? — Reading Comprehension

Imagine a place where the ground has been frozen solid for thousands of years. This permanently frozen ground is called permafrost. It's found in very cold places like the Arctic and under high mountains. Permafrost is made of soil, rock, and a lot of ice. Think of it like a giant freezer underground. This frozen layer plays a super important role in the ecosystem, which is all the living and non-living things that interact in an area. For arctic animals, permafrost is a key part of their home.

The top layer of the permafrost, called the active layer, thaws in the summer and refreezes in the winter. Plants grow in this active layer, providing food for many animals. But what happens if the permafrost starts to thaw more than usual, or even melt? This is a big concern for arctic wildlife because of climate change and global warming, which are causing the Earth to heat up.

When permafrost thaws, the ground becomes unstable and can collapse. This can destroy animal homes, like the burrows of arctic foxes and lemmings. These animals rely on the frozen ground for shelter from predators and the harsh cold. For example, caribou, which are a type of deer, migrate across vast areas of the tundra (a treeless biome where the subsoil is permafrost). Thawing permafrost can make their migration routes muddy and difficult to cross, impacting their ability to find food and raise their young. Waterlogged areas can also increase the number of insects, like mosquitoes, which can bother and stress caribou.

Also, thawing permafrost releases ancient gases, like methane, that have been trapped for thousands of years. These gases are greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere, making global warming even worse. This creates a cycle: warmer temperatures thaw permafrost, which releases more gases, leading to even warmer temperatures. This continued warming puts more pressure on arctic animals, making their search for food harder and changing their habitats. Understanding how permafrost affects animals helps us see how changes to one part of an ecosystem can have a huge impact on all living things.

Interesting Fact: Some permafrost is so old that it contains the remains of woolly mammoths and other ancient animals, perfectly preserved!

What is permafrost?

What is the active layer of permafrost?

How does thawing permafrost affect animal homes?

Why is thawing permafrost a concern for caribou?

What gases are released when permafrost thaws?

What is a 'greenhouse gas'?

How does increased insect population affect caribou?

Thawing permafrost is a result of global warming.

What is a habitat?

If permafrost continues to thaw, how might it affect a predator like an arctic fox that hunts lemmings?