The Arctic Tundra is among Earth’s coldest, harshest biomes. Tundra ecosystems are treeless regions found in the Arctic and on tops of mountains. The Arctic tundra is mostly located in the Northern Hemisphere but in the Southern Hemisphere, it can be located on islands off of the coast of Antarctica. The high mountain tops of North America, Europe and Siberia are part of the tundra. Also, about half of Canada and most of the Alaskan coast are in the tundra. Tundra lands …show more content…
Most only use the tundra as a summer home due to the harsh conditions of the winter but some animals that can be found in the Arctic tundra are caribou, musk ox, Arctic hare, Arctic fox, snowy owl, lemmings, and polar bears. Animals that live in the tundra have special adaptations to survive. Some adapt by having babies and raising their young in the summer. A lot of animals hibernate. Because of the short summer of the Arctic tundra and harsh conditions, the Arctic tundra has very few plants and trees. Because the summer is short, the trees are unable to grow larger. The strong winds damage the trees and the permafrost makes it hard for trees to create a strong support base. The plants and trees that can be found in the tundra are lichens, mosses, and small shrubs. The plants that can survive in the tundra are short and grouped together to resist winds and to be protected. The tundra may seem tough, but it’s actually a very sensitive environment. People have started moving to the tundra to work in the mines and oil industry. Because of this, developments have interrupted many of the animals’ migrations and feeding patterns. It has also caused damage to the permafrost. We need to be careful with the tundra