Biomes of the World - Tundra
What Makes the Tundra Biome Unique
The Tundra biome is the coldest of all five world biomes. A Tundra is a treeless area near the Arctic where the ground is always frozen and there's very little plant life. Tundras are found just below the ice caps of the Arctic, across North America, in Europe, Siberia and Asia. Most of Alaska and almost half of Canada are located in the Tundra biome. Tundras cover about one-fifth of Earth's land surface. There are two different types of Tundras: Arctic and Alpine.
The Arctic Tundra
In the Arctic soil is always frozen, so large pools of water form on top of the ground. Arctic Tundras are found in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Alpine Tundra
Even though temperatures can drop to freezing in an Alpine Tundra, the soil is still able to drain water. Alpine Tundras are found on mountains all over the world at such a high altitude that trees cannot grow.
Tantalizing Tundra Trivia
- The climate of the Tundra is so cold it's impossible for trees to grow, which is why the Tundra biome looks similar to the prairies, except frozen.
- During the Ice Ages, massive glaciers covered the Tundra. Over the years, the glaciers melted, leaving behind rock and fertile soil.
- You might be surprised by all the animals that can survive in the Tundra. Wolves, lemmings, caribou, musk oxen, polar bears, snow owls, geese, deer, elk, mountain goats and several species of sheep all live in the Tundra biome.
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