what is an arctic tundra

The arctic tundra is a biome located in the northern hemisphere, encircling the north pole and extending south to the coniferous forests of the taiga. It is the coldest of all biomes and is known for its extremely low temperatures, frost-molded landscapes, and little rainfall. The growing season ranges from 50 to 60 days, and the average winter temperature is -34° C (-30° F), while the average summer temperature is 3-12° C (37-54° F). The soil in the arctic tundra is formed slowly, and a layer of permanently frozen subsoil called permafrost exists, consisting mostly of gravel and finer material. When water saturates the upper surface, bogs and ponds may form, providing moisture for plants. The vegetation in the arctic tundra has no deep root systems, but there are still a wide variety of plants that are able to resist the cold climate. The arctic tundra is home to a variety of animals, including mammals that require a multi-layer fur coat, a stocky body, broad and hairy feet or hooves that act as snowshoes, a thick fat layer, and small or short appendages.