What is the Arctic Tundra Biome?

The Tundra lies between 55º and 70º latitude north, with the coldest, driest, and most brutal conditions for life on Earth. The youngest biome, formed just 10,000 years ago, stretches bleakly across a flat, treeless landscape. Tundra is taken from the Finnish word tunturia, meaning "barren ground." Parts of Greenland, northern Canada, and polar cap belong to the arctic Tundra.

A layer of permafrost covers the ground of the arctic sections of the northern continents. An active layer of permafrost might partially defrost for a few months during the mild summers, but the inactive layer is permanently frozen. If low precipitation and little sunlight were not enough to discourage vegetation, the permafrost prevents plant roots from reaching far underground. The soil has some nutrients with organic matter contributing nitrogen and the rain making phosphorous. During the abbreviated two month growing season moss, lichen, liverwort, and a few flowering plants with shallow root systems manage to grow. They survive on a mere 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) of rain per year.

Animal biodiversity is understandably low in an area with an endless winter and poor light. Giant mammals, like the musk ox and polar bear eke out a living due to specialized adaptations. Their coats are thick and waterproof; their sense of smell acute. The Arctic fox doesn't even need to hibernate since it can withstand very low temperatures. Shrews and hares scamper from burrows to provide food for the snowy owl.

Strangely, the Tundra possesses a rare ecology that makes it a "carbon sink." This means that Tundra removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere because it absorbs more of the gas than it creates. The absence of much biomass means there is little organic decay. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide helps to combat the increasing threat of global warming, which has already damaged the Arctic zone by melting glaciers.

The Arctic Tundra Biome is characterized by its cold, desert-like conditions. It's a region where the subsoil is permanently frozen, known as permafrost, and temperatures can plummet to -30°F. Vegetation is limited to low-growing plants like mosses, grasses, and shrubs, and it supports unique wildlife adapted to its harsh climate.

The Arctic Tundra is primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere, encircling the North Pole and extending south to the taiga belt. It spans across parts of Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, and some Nordic countries. This biome covers about 20% of the Earth's surface, offering a critical habitat for a range of species.

Despite its extreme conditions, the Arctic Tundra is home to a variety of wildlife. This includes migratory birds, caribou, musk oxen, Arctic hares, and predators like Arctic foxes and polar bears. Many species have adapted to the cold with insulating features like thick fur and layers of fat.

Life in the Arctic Tundra has adapted through biological and behavioral mechanisms. Plants grow close to the ground to avoid wind damage and conserve heat, while animals often have white camouflage, thick insulation, and behaviors like hibernation or migration to survive the long, harsh winters.

Climate change poses the most significant threat to the Arctic Tundra, leading to melting permafrost and altered habitats. According to the National Wildlife Federation, this can result in the release of stored greenhouse gases, further exacerbating global warming. Additionally, human activities like oil and gas extraction can disrupt this fragile ecosystem.

The Arctic Tundra experiences dramatic seasonal changes, with long winters and short summers. During the brief summer, the top layer of permafrost thaws, allowing plants to grow and reproduce quickly in the 24-hour daylight. Animal populations also fluctuate, with many species breeding and raising their young during this time of relative abundance.