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In physical geography, tundra (/ ˈ t ʌ n d r ə, ˈ t ʊ n-/) is a type of biome where tree growth is hindered by frigid temperatures and short growing seasons. There are three regions and associated types of tundra: Arctic, [2] Alpine, [2] and Antarctic. [3] Tundra vegetation is composed of dwarf shrubs, sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens ...
One of the planet's most recent biomes, a result of the last ice age only 10,000 years ago, the tundra contains unique flora and fauna formed during the last glaciation in areas unrestricted by permanent ice. The tundra region is found in high latitudes, primarily in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Scandinavia, as well as the ...
Alpine tundra is a type of natural region or biome that does not contain trees because it is at high elevation, with an associated harsh climate. As the latitude of a location approaches the poles, the threshold elevation for alpine tundra gets lower until it reaches sea level, and alpine tundra merges with polar tundra .
The short (3–4 month) growing season in boreal forests is sustained by greater levels of rainfall than the tundra receives (between 30 and 85 cm or 12 and 33 in per year). This biome is dominated by closed canopy forests of evergreen conifers, especially spruces, fir, pine and tamarack with some diffuse-porous hardwoods.
A tundra climate is characterized by having at least one month whose average temperature is above 0 °C (32 °F), while an ice cap climate has no months averaging above 0 °C (32 °F). [2] In a tundra climate, even coniferous trees cannot grow, but other specialized plants such as the arctic poppy can grow. In an ice cap climate, no plants can ...
A further 6% of the land, supports herbaceous cover. [5] In the north, only the hardiest cold-tolerant vascular plants can survive, such as sedge ( Carex ) and cotton grass ( Eriophorum ). In a few low-lying, protected areas there can be small stands of Arctic willow ( Salix arctica ), Dryas species, and low-growing purple saxifrage ( Saxifraga ...
East Antarctic tundra: Eastern Antarctica: Ellsworth Land tundra: Ellsworth Land: Ellsworth Mountains tundra: Ellsworth Mountains: Enderby Land tundra: Enderby Land: Marie Byrd Land tundra: Marie Byrd Land: North Victoria Land tundra: Victoria Land: Northeast Antarctic Peninsula tundra: Antarctic Peninsula: Northwest Antarctic Peninsula tundra ...
The ecoregion is a transition zone between the taiga forests to the south, and the treeless arctic tundra to the north. 50% of the territory is herbaceous cover, 18% moss and lichen, 6% shrubs, and about 1% tree cover in protected areas and along river courses. [ 3 ]