Arctic Tundra

Habitat description
The Arctic tundra is characterised by permafrost, that is, permanent frost on the ground, a layer of frozen subsoil. It is treeless and very cold. Winters are long and cold, precipitation low, and the growing season very short, about two months. These harsh conditions make the tundra rather desert-like. The word 'tundra' means 'treeless' in Finnish.

There is very little drainage of water. When the snow melts, the water percolates through the top layer, but is not able to get through the permafrost. With nowhere to go, saturated bogs and pools of water form on the surface.

The Arctic tundra also receives very little sunlight due to its location and the angle of the sun. During the summer, though there is sunlight round the clock, the location of the sun close to the horizon provides only low-intensity sunlight. During other times, the sun can remain below the horizon for up to two months!

Distribution
The Arctic tundra is found near the North Pole, in Greenland, Alaska, Canada, Europe and Russia.