The Tundra is the coldest and the driest of all the biomes. It is located above the Arctic Ocean in the world´s highest northern latitudes. Precipitation is normally less than 10cm per year and very little evaporates. Without evaporation, the ground absorbs the moisture and freezes in to permafrost. The permafrost layer is located 6in below the ground and prevents drainage of excess water. Winters are long and cold, reaching as low as -50° Fahrenheit. Summers are short and cool. The permafrost melts and causes the soil to become soggy. Even in the summer the temperature can fall well below freezing.
Vegetation on the Tundra is abundant. The majority of the plants are lichens, which is made up of a fungus and algae living and growing together. Plants that grow in the tundra are usually small and grow close to the ground, they are also able to absorb more heat than other plants. These adaptations protect the plants from the harsh temperatures and allow it to absorb more heat. Lichens, dwarf willows, & cushion plants grow in this biome. The short growing season lasts up to 60 days. Along with poor drainage, the permafrost prevents larger plants from taking root and growing.
Animals that live on the tundra are well adapted to the cold and harsh environment.
One animal that lives here is the Polar Bear. This bear eats berries and eggs, but prefers to eat fresh meat, like salmon, seals, and birds, and can eat over 90 pounds of food a day. Their sense of smell is highly sensitive, they can smell food up to 20 miles away. Another animal that makes its home on the arctic is the arctic fox. The arctic fox is one of the few truly arctic mammals,
it has well-furred feet and small, rounded ears. It preys on ground-dwelling birds, lemmings, and small rodents. It also scavenges for leftovers from other kills. Arctic foxes live in burrows but do not hibernate and can withstand temperatures as low as -58° Fahrenheit.
