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Jun 21, 2024 · The tundra is considered a cold desert because tundra regions typically receive less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation annually. The long, cold winters with high winds and low temperatures below freezing for most of the year contribute to its desert-like conditions. Why is the tundra treeless?
- Shawna Wilson
Jun 27, 2024 · The tundra is considered a cold desert because it has a cold and dry climate. It receives very little precipitation, similar to a desert, and experiences long, cold winters with high winds. The tundra is characterized by its frozen ground, known as permafrost, and its short growing season. … What makes the tundra a cold desert? Read More »
- Overview
- Distribution
tundra, a major zone of treeless level or rolling ground found in cold regions, mostly north of the Arctic Circle (Arctic tundra) or above the timberline on high mountains (alpine tundra). Tundra is known for large stretches of bare ground and rock and for patchy mantles of low vegetation such as mosses, lichens, herbs, and small shrubs. This surface supports a meagre but unique variety of animals. The Finns called their treeless northern reaches the tunturi, but the concept of a vast frozen plain as a special ecological realm called tundra was developed by the Russians.
One constant factor shaping the tundra is alternate freezing and thawing of the ground. Along with the factors mentioned above, this freeze-thaw cycle sets the tundra apart from two ecosystems frequently found adjacent to it—the icy polar barrens on the one hand and the evergreen taiga on the other. Permafrost—perennially frozen ground—is a significant feature of the Arctic tundra; however, it does not typically occur in alpine regions.
The global extent of the tundra biome is considerable, accounting for roughly 10 percent of Earth’s surface. The southern limit of Arctic tundra follows the northern edge of the coniferous forest belt. In North America this line lies above latitude 60° N, while in Eurasia most of it occurs north of 70° N—except in eastern Siberia, where it extends southward to 60° N in Kamchatka. The northward bulge of forest in Eurasia is a result of the warmer summers that occur over that large contiguous landmass.
Alpine tundra covers approximately 3 percent of Earth’s land surface, and it is mostly found in the Northern Hemisphere. This habitat can be found in mountainous areas worldwide, occurring at high elevations where temperatures are too low and winds are too strong for the growth of trees. The average elevation where alpine tundra occurs is generally higher near the Equator than at the poles.
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Ecosystems
Jul 25, 2024 · The tundra is considered a cold desert primarily because of its minimal precipitation. In fact, it receives less than 10 inches of precipitation annually, which is similar to many arid desert regions. The cold air in the tundra holds significantly less moisture than warm air, resulting in limited rainfall and snowfall.
Oct 19, 2023 · The Arctic tundra, where the average temperature is -34 to -6 degrees Celsius (-30 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit), supports a variety of animal species, including Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus), polar bears (Ursus maritimus), gray wolves (Canis lupus), caribou (Rangifer tarandus), snow geese (Anser caerulescens), and musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus). The summer growing season is just 50 to 60 days, when ...
In the case of tundra, the cold temperatures cause low evaporation rates, so even the small amount of snow that falls can stay around for a long time. This makes the tundra seem wetter than it actually is. Despite the presence of ice and snow, the tundra is a very dry place, hence it can be considered a type of "cold desert".
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Why is Antarctica a cold desert biome?
Description. The tundra is the coldest of the biomes. It also receives low amounts of precipitation, making the tundra similar to a desert. Tundra is found in the regions just below the ice caps of the Arctic, extending across North America, to Europe, and Siberia in Asia. Much of Alaska and about half of Canada are in the tundra biome.
