Tundra
Tundra is flat and cold with low plants like grass and moss that only grow during the short summer. A thick layer of ice lies just below the shallow soil (permafrost) all year around, and trees cannot penetrate it to anchor their roots. Many birds visit the tundra in the summer to nest, but most escape the winter by migrating to warmer areas. Mice and other small mammals stay active during the winter in protected tunnels under the snow.
Description
The tundra is the coldest of the biomes. It also receives low amounts of precipitation, making the tundra similar to a desert. Tundra is found in the regions just below the ice caps of the Arctic, extending across much of the northern lands. Tundra is also found at the tops of very high mountains elsewhere in the world. Temperatures are frequently extremely cold, but can get warm in the summers. Tundra winters are long, dark, and cold, with mean temperatures below 0°C for six to 10 months of the year. The temperatures are so cold that there is a layer of permanently frozen ground below the surface, called permafrost. This permafrost is a defining characteristic of the tundra biome. In the tundra summers, the top layer of soil thaws only a few inches down, providing a growing surface for the roots of vegetation. Precipitation in the tundra totals 150 to 250 mm a year, including melted snow. That's less than most of the world's greatest deserts! Still, the tundra is usually a wet place because the low temperatures cause evaporation of water to be slow. Much of the arctic has rain and fog in the summers, and water gathers in bogs and ponds. Vegetation in the tundra has adapted to the cold and the short growing season. Mosses, sedges, and lichens are common, while few trees grow in the tundra. The trees that do manage to grow stay close to the ground so they are insulated by snow during the cold winters.Geography
The tundra is a harsh and unforgiving land, a frozen expanse where life clings to existence. Permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen soil, underlies the entire region, restricting plant growth to a thin, fragile layer that thaws briefly in summer. The landscape is sculpted by ice and wind, creating rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and vast plains. Rivers and lakes dot the tundra, their waters often frozen for most of the year. Blizzards howl across the barren wastes, carrying biting cold that penetrates to the bone. Summer brings fleeting warmth, but even then, the temperature rarely rises above freezing.
The terrain here is a stark contrast of rolling hills and flat plains, punctuated by jagged, icy peaks in the distance. A glacial river, fed by melting ice from those mountains, cuts through the land, its waters a pristine turquoise. The river widens into a vast, crystalline lake that mirrors the sky, reflecting the dancing aurora borealis in shimmering hues. Towering cliffs of ancient, weathered rock guard the eastern edge, where the land dramatically drops into a tumultuous sea. The views are nothing short of breathtaking. In summer, the tundra explodes with vibrant wildflowers, a riot of color against the greening landscape. As winter descends, the world is cloaked in a serene blanket of snow, the only sounds the crunch of footsteps and the distant howl of the wind.
Ecosystem
Life in the tundra is a delicate balance forged in the crucible of extreme conditions. The short, intense summers awaken a burst of biological activity as sunlight penetrates the long hours of daylight. Shallow-rooted plants, like lichens and mosses, carpet the land, their growth restricted by the permafrost. These hardy pioneers form the foundation of the food chain, supporting a diverse array of insects, small mammals, and migratory birds. Larger predators, such as wolves and bears, roam the vast expanse, their populations kept in check by the harsh environment. A complex network of interactions unfolds as animals adapt to the cyclical freeze-thaw cycle, migrating or hibernating to survive the brutal winters. The tundra ecosystem, while seemingly fragile, is a testament to resilience, where every organism plays a crucial role in maintaining this precarious balance.
Localized Phenomena
The tundra is a region marked by unique and extreme conditions that give rise to fascinating localized phenomena. One such phenomenon is the formation of patterned ground, where freezing and thawing cycles create intricate geometric patterns in the soil. These patterns can range from small circles and polygons to large, complex networks. Another distinctive feature is the presence of thermokarst, formed when permafrost melts, leading to the subsidence of the ground and the creation of ponds, lakes, and even craters. Additionally, the tundra is prone to intense frost heaving, which occurs when water freezes in the soil, pushing objects upwards, creating a disrupted and uneven landscape.
Fauna & Flora
Life in the tundra is an adaptation to extreme conditions. The flora, primarily composed of low-lying plants, has evolved to withstand the harsh climate. Mosses, lichens, and sedges dominate the landscape, forming a resilient carpet over the permafrost. During the brief summer, a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers emerges, their colorful blooms a stark contrast to the otherwise muted environment. These plants have shallow root systems to extract nutrients from the thin active layer of soil before it freezes again.
The fauna of the tundra is equally specialized. Large mammals like muskoxen and caribou are well-adapted to the cold, with thick fur and hooves designed for traversing snow and ice. Smaller creatures, such as arctic foxes and hares, have white winter coats for camouflage. The tundra is also a breeding ground for migratory birds, who flock to the region during the summer months to take advantage of the abundant insect life. Beneath the surface, a hidden world of burrowing animals like lemmings and voles exists, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem.
Temperature
Tundra Temp
Temperatures usually range between -40°C (-40 °F) and 18°C (64°F).Precipitation
This biome sees 150 to 250 millimeters (6 to 10 inches) of rain per year.Vegetation
Almost no trees due to short growing season and permafrost; lichens, mosses, grasses, sedges, shrubsOther
Tundra means "treeless plain"; it is the coldest of the biomes.Monthly Temperature & Precipitation
| Month | Avg. Precipitation (mm) | Avg. Temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Frostmonth | 15 | -27 |
| Snowmonth | 12 | -26 |
| Winterswane | 14 | -22 |
| Rainmonth | 8 | -12 |
| Palesun | 15 | 0 |
| Highsun | 19 | 10 |
| Firemonth | 40 | 14 |
| Fireswane | 42 | 11 |
| Lowsun | 30 | 4 |
| Redfall | 33 | -7 |
| Leafall | 22 | -20 |
| Fellnight | 16 | -25 |
Location under
Environments