Housing development doesn't seem to be a major problem in the
Tundra, with the weather being cold and all. It is seemingly a technical
challenge to use efficient sewage treatment in a cold environment. The biggest
threats of humans to the tundra are airborne pollutants, which have brought DDT
and PCB's (industrial wastes) to even the most remote areas in this region.
The biggest threat of all comes from oil and gas development.
The Arctic National Wildlife just so happens to be sitting on top of an about 6
month supply of oil.
Despite the great difficulty of extracting this oil,
corporate interests still persist to drill here. Global warming also plays a
key role in the future of the tundra biome as the planet warms up, the
permfrost will continue to melt and tundra ecosystems will fall apart. Inside
the permafrost as well, is dead plant material which will release CO2 into the
atmosphere upon decaying, thus accelerating global warming.
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