Covering about 10% of the surface of the earth, the earth’s tundra biome is the second most dangerous environment on the planet. Part of the reason, aside from the terrible cold, that trees cannot survive is that tundra is covered by a think layer of ice that doesn’t melt no matter what time of year it is, called permafrost. Permafrost only allows plants with shallow root bases to grow, because the only soil that actually defrosts during part of the year is the top 4-6 inches or so. Below this depth, everything is frozen. These top few inches stay consistently moist throughout the warmer months, almost to the point of being soggy. Because of this, many lakes can be found in tundra biomes during it’s warmer times.
Here are a few tundra biome facts that you may find interesting:
- Average summer temperature: ~54F
- Average winter temperature: ~-15F
- Average rainfall: 15-22 inches per year, depending on the area.
- Tundra is actually a word of Finnish origin called tunturi.
- Tundra regions, on the poles, experience summer for only a few months a year. During this time, the sun shines during all hours of the day.
- Tundra ice absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps to keep the earth’s atmosphere in check.
The earth’s tundra regions are actually divided into three separate regions.
Antarctic – This area is made up of the continent of Antarctica and the numerous islands found around it.
Alpine – This area can be found in the mountainous regions of North America, Asia, Europe, and even Africa.
Arctic – This area covers the northern parts of Russia and Canada, and is extremely vast.
Even though they are classified as three different regions, they all share the same basic characteristics, yet have subtle differences at the same time. In other words, the theme is the same and the details are unique to each area. Many of these tundra biome facts are still waiting to be discovered!
Despite this being a very inhospitable place to live, there are many plants and animals that have made this area their home. The basic theme that is displayed, from the largest species to the smallest, is is having the ability to adapt. Plants and animals from the desert, for example, would quickly perish in this very unforgiving land.