Project-Tundra

Impact of Humans and Human Activities on the Tundra

Rising temperatures due to human-driven climate change are causing permafrost to thaw at an accelerating rate, which disrupts ecosystems and releases methane and carbon dioxide stored in the permafrost.
Thawing permafrost can lead to the loss of habitats for animals and plants, disrupt traditional human lifestyles in the Arctic, and create dangerous ground instability.

Oil drilling and gas extraction are major industrial activities in tundra regions, especially in Alaska, Siberia, and northern Canada.
These activities can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and oil spills, which harm wildlife and the delicate tundra ecosystem.
The construction of pipelines and infrastructure for oil and gas can fragment habitats and disturb migration routes for animals like caribou.

The tundra is rich in natural resources such as minerals, coal, and precious metals, leading to mining activities in some regions.
Mining operations often lead to soil degradation, pollution of water sources, and the destruction of plant and animal habitats.
The extraction process can leave lasting scars on the landscape, including toxic waste dumps and contamination from heavy metals.

As tourism increases in the Arctic and tundra regions, there are concerns about the disturbance of wildlife and disruption of ecosystems.
Tourists can damage fragile tundra vegetation by trampling, introduce invasive species, and contribute to pollution through waste and litter.
Infrastructure development for tourism, such as roads, hotels, and airstrips, leads to habitat fragmentation and increased human presence in sensitive areas.

Military operations in the tundra, such as testing weapons and constructing bases, have significant ecological impacts.
These activities cause soil compaction, pollution, and can disturb local wildlife populations, especially migratory birds and caribou.
Additionally, military infrastructure, including roads and airstrips, disrupts the natural landscape and migratory corridors.

Human activities such as overhunting of tundra wildlife (like caribou, seals, and polar bears) and overfishing in the Arctic seas can deplete important species.
The depletion of these species disrupts food webs and local Indigenous peoples' ways of life, who rely on these animals for sustenance and cultural practices.
Some species, such as polar bears, are also severely impacted by climate change and hunting, further threatening their survival.

The introduction of non-native species to tundra regions, often through human activity like shipping, tourism, or research, can threaten local biodiversity.
Invasive species outcompete native plants and animals for resources, leading to the decline of endemic species.
This disrupts the balance of the tundra ecosystem and can alter the natural structure of plant and animal communities.