Tundra Ecosystems

The tundra is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is a flat, treeless area found mostly near the Arctic. The ground stays frozen for most of the year. Even though it is very harsh, some amazing plants and animals call the tundra home.

Frozen Ground

Below the surface of the tundra, the ground stays frozen all year long. This frozen layer is called permafrost. In summer, only the very top of the soil thaws. Plants must have shallow roots to grow in this thin layer. Mosses, lichens, and small shrubs are the most common tundra plants.

Tundra Wildlife

Animals in the tundra have special ways to survive the cold. Arctic foxes have thick, white fur for warmth and camouflage. Caribou travel in large herds and migrate south in winter. Snowy owls hunt small animals called lemmings. As the climate warms, the tundra is changing faster than almost any other ecosystem.

Fun Facts

• The tundra only gets about 6 to 10 inches of rain or snow each year, making it almost as dry as a desert.
• In summer, the sun can shine for 24 hours a day in the Arctic tundra!
• Permafrost in some parts of the tundra is more than 2,000 feet deep.

Did You Know?

The word tundra comes from a Finnish word meaning treeless plain!