Climate
TemperatureThe Arctic Tundra stays frozen for much of the year. During the winter, it is mostly cold and dark with the temperature around -28 °C, sometimes as low as -50°C. In the summer, the temperature rises to about 12 °C but can drop as low as 3 °C. |
RainfallThe precipitation in the Arctic is very desert-like. Only about 15–25 cm of rain falls per year. Summer is when it rains the most. Evaporation is also relatively minimal. |
Abiotic Factors of the Tundra
The Tundra has many abiotic factors- the meaning of its name 'treeless plain' kind of indicates it. Some of the abiotic factors that can affect the Arctic Tundra are strong winds, rainfall, short summer days, long and cold winters, soil, and permafrost layer. |
PermafrostPermafrost is soil, rock, or sediments that had been frozen for more than 2 consecutive years. Roots cannot penetrate the frozen soil, and that is why only moss, lichen, heath, and low shrubs can grow at the Tundra. In the summer, the top layer of the permafrost melts, leaving behind soggy grounds, marshes, lakes, etc.
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