Arctic Tundra

Cold treeless biome characterized by permafrost soils, lichens, and a short growing season.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Permafrost beneath the tundra stores roughly twice as much carbon as Earth's atmosphere.
• The growing season lasts only about 50 to 60 days in much of the Arctic.
• Vegetation is limited to low shrubs, sedges, mosses, and lichens because trees cannot root in permafrost.

Specifications & Metrics

• COVERAGE: 10% of Earth's land surface