The Tundra

What is It?

Average Temperature: 3-12° C (37-54° F)

Growing Season: 50 to 60 days

Rainfall: less than 25 centimeters (10 inches)

Environmental Features:

• Cold desert-like conditions.
• Permafrost
• Gravel and finer soil.
• Bogs and ponds when moisture present.
• Sweeping Winds
• Snow

• Extremely cold climate
• Low biotic diversity
• Simple vegetation structure
• Limitation of drainage
• Short season of growth and reproduction

“Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturi, meaning treeless plain. It is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, and short growing seasons.“

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