The tundra biome is characterized by extremely cold temperatures, a short growing season, and permafrost. This environment supports specific types of vegetation and is found in various parts of the world. Tundra regions often receive low precipitation, making them similar to deserts in that regard.
The term “tundra” originates from the Finnish word “tunturia,” meaning “treeless plain.” This biome is the coldest, with average temperatures remaining below 0°C for six to ten months of the year. A distinguishing feature is permafrost, ground that remains frozen below the surface, preventing deep root growth for trees. During the brief summer, only the top few inches of soil thaw, allowing for the growth of low-lying vegetation such as mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, and dwarf shrubs.
There are two types of tundra: Arctic tundra and Alpine tundra. Arctic tundra is found in the Northern Hemisphere, encircling the North Pole. Alpine tundra occurs at high altitudes on mountains across the globe, regardless of their latitude. Both share a treeless landscape and harsh climates. Arctic tundra is defined by its permafrost, a feature absent in Alpine regions where soils are better drained.
Nations of the Arctic Tundra
The Arctic tundra extends across northern territories, primarily in countries bordering the Arctic Ocean. These nations include Canada, Russia, Greenland (an autonomous territory of Denmark), the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Canada possesses Arctic tundra, encompassing approximately 1,420,000 square kilometers across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, northern Quebec, and northern Labrador. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago, including large islands like Baffin Island, also falls within this expanse. Russia holds the largest area of Arctic tundra globally, stretching from west to east along its polar seas, covering nearly one-tenth of its territory, including the Siberian plains and coastal belts.
Greenland, largely covered by an ice sheet, features tundra along its coasts. The United States has Arctic tundra in Alaska, extending across its western and northern coasts, including the Arctic Coastal Plain and parts of the Brooks Range. In Scandinavia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland contain Arctic tundra in their northernmost regions. Iceland also contains tundra, with about 62.7% of its total land area classified as such, particularly in its high-elevation areas.
Regions of Alpine Tundra
Alpine tundra exists in high-altitude mountain ranges worldwide, where elevations create conditions too harsh for tree growth. These environments feature strong winds and short growing seasons, similar to polar regions, but lack the continuous permafrost found in Arctic tundra.
The Andes, the world’s longest continental mountain range, stretch through seven South American countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela, all of which contain Alpine tundra. In North America, Alpine tundra is present in the Rocky Mountains, spanning parts of the United States and Canada. The Sierra Nevada in the US also hosts Alpine tundra.
Europe’s Alps, a mountain system, contain Alpine tundra across several countries, including France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, and Monaco. The Pyrenees, located between France and Spain, also feature this biome. In Asia, the Himalayan range, encompassing parts of China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan, is a region for Alpine tundra. Other mountain ranges with Alpine tundra include the Eastern Rift mountains in Africa and the Southern Alps of New Zealand.