The Definition of Tundra
Tundra regions are defined by their cold climates, geography, soil and limited biological diversity. Tundra regions can be further divided into arctic or alpine, depending upon the altitude.
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Definition
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According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, tundra is defined as a treeless region with permanent frozen black subsoil, known as permafrost, and found in polar or subarctic regions, or above the timberline.
Geography
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The arctic tundra is located north of the taiga in Canada and Russia; whereas, the Antarctic tundra is located in the Southern Hemisphere on the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding Antarctic islands. Alpine tundra is found in mountainous regions at high altitudes where tree growth stops.
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Climate
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The tundra's climate is characterized as windy with minimal precipitation, much like a desert, but with average winter temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer often sees average temperatures reaching 50 F.
Vegetation and Soil
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The soil in the tundra is carbon-enriched permafrost, which does not support deep rooted vegetation. As a result, lichens, moss and small shrubs usually cover these regions.
Animal Life
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On average, less than 50 mammals can sustain life in the tundra because of limited food sources. Polar bears, arctic hares, foxes and caribou are tundra's predominant animals.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Billy Lindblom
