tundra ecology

Tundra ecology involves a cold, treeless biome found in polar regions and high altitudes. It features permafrost, a permanently frozen ground layer, which restricts plant growth. The environment supports hardy plants like mosses, lichens, grasses, and low shrubs, along with animals like Arctic foxes, caribou, and migratory birds. Short summers allow limited plant growth and animal activity, while long, harsh winters pose extreme cold and darkness. The tundra plays a crucial role in global climate regulation, carbon storage, and biodiversity, despite its seemingly sparse landscape.