Tundra And Its Characteristics
Tundra means a “barren land” since they are found where environmental conditions are very severe. There are two types of tundra- Arctic and Alpine. 
DISTRIBUTION:
- Arctic tundra extends as a continuous belt below the polar ice cap and above the tree line in the northern hemisphere. It occupies the northern fringe of Canada, Alaska, European Russia, Siberia and island group of Arctic Ocean. On the south pole, tundra is very small since most of it is covered by ocean.
- Alpine tundra occurs at high mountains above the with respect to Arctic mountains are found at all latitudes therefore alpine tundra shows day and night temperature variations.
FLORA AND FAUNA:
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Typical vegetation of arctic tundra is cotton grass, sedges, dwarf heath, willows, birches and lichens.
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Animals of tundra are reindeer, musk ox, arctic hare, caribous, lemmings and squirrel.
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The characteristics of the Arctic tundra are:
o Climate: Short summer; long and very cold winter.
o Very little precipitation 10-25 cm
o Soil: Nutrient-poor with little organic matter. If tundra is disturbed, it will regenerate very slowly because of the poor soil.
o Species diversity: Low; no trees, mostly mosses lichens and grasses; water is plenty but plants do not get it since it is all in the form of snow or ice.