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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 ...
By adapting to these harsh conditions, animals and plants represent iconic characteristics of the tundra. Plants grow in aggregated formations which provide shelter from wind, and ice and also improve seed success. [1] Animals have adapted with specialized organs, such as a rete mirabile, an organ that efficiently transfers heat.
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 .
Continuous vegetation covers approximately 25% of the island, 16,000 km 2 of which is dryland vegetation and 10,000 km 2 of wetlands. About 1,360 km 2 is employed in crop agriculture, and about 1,250 km2 of the original white birch (Betula pubescens) forest remains. Another 60,000 km2 is sparsely or very sparsely covered in vegetation. [5]
Peet provided the most complete description of 10 major forest community types, which are summarized here. [6] Two nonforested vegetation types, plains and alpine tundra, described by Sims [7] and Billings, [8] are added. Because of the variations in latitude and precipitation along this huge mountain range, the elevations presented here are ...
In the north, only the hardiest cold-tolerant vascular plants can survive, such as sedge and cotton grass . 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 oppositifolia ), Kobresia species and arctic poppy ( Papaver radicatum ).
The Canadian Arctic tundra is a biogeographic designation for Northern Canada's terrain generally lying north of the tree line or boreal forest, [2] [3] [4] that corresponds with the Scandinavian Alpine tundra to the east and the Siberian Arctic tundra to the west inside the circumpolar tundra belt of the Northern Hemisphere.
The amount of vegetation in the tundra consists on how much sun, or snow cover is in the area. The vegetation in this area may grow as tall as 50 cm (20 in). In the southern part of the Arctic, there tend to be more shrubs whereas the northern parts there is less plant cover. In wet areas of the tundra, there is tussock grasses and cotton grasses.