A tundra biome is a cold, treeless region characterized by extremely low temperatures, a short growing season, and minimal precipitation, similar to a desert in dryness. It is primarily found just south of the Arctic ice caps, across northern parts of North America, Europe, and Siberia, as well as on high mountain tops worldwide
. Key features of the tundra biome include:
- Climate: Temperatures range from about -40°C (-40°F) in winter to around 18°C (64°F) in summer, with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. Annual precipitation is low, typically between 150 to 250 millimeters (6 to 10 inches), mostly as snow
- Permafrost: The ground beneath the surface remains permanently frozen year-round, except for a thin top layer that thaws during summer, allowing limited plant growth
- Vegetation: Due to the cold and short growing season, trees are almost absent. Vegetation mainly consists of mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, dwarf shrubs, and cushion plants that grow close to the ground to survive the cold
- Soil: Tundra soils are nutrient-poor but rich in stored organic material frozen in the permafrost. This frozen organic matter acts as a carbon sink but can release greenhouse gases if thawed
- Types: There are three main types of tundra-Arctic tundra (near the poles), alpine tundra (high mountain elevations), and Antarctic tundra (limited plant life on ice-free areas of Antarctica)
The tundra biome is fragile and shrinking due to climate change, which causes permafrost thaw and disrupts its unique ecosystem
. Despite its harsh conditions, the tundra supports specialized plants and animals adapted to survive cold and dryness.
