Tundra

What Is a Tundra?

A tundra is a very cold place where trees cannot grow tall. The ground stays frozen deep down, called permafrost. Because it is so cold, only small plants like shrubs, mosses, and lichens can live here. These plants stay close to the ground to stay safe from the wind.

Where Is the Tundra?

You can find tundra in three main places: the Arctic, high mountains, and around Antarctica. In the Arctic, places like Siberia have tundra with cold winters and short summers. Animals like reindeer and Arctic foxes live there. In high mountains, called Alpine tundra, the air is so cold that trees cannot grow. Only tiny plants live on these mountain tops.

Why Do We Know About Tundra?

People know about tundra because it is a special part of our planet. It helps us learn about how cold places work. The word “tundra” comes from a Russian word, and it means a cold, open land. Even though the tundra is very cold, it is full of life, from tiny plants to animals that have learned to stay warm.