Arctic tundra

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Arctic tundra

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June 23, 2026

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Arctic tundra — Arctic tundra Cotton grass (Eriophorum) and mosses in the Arctic tundra, northern Yukon, Canada.

The Arctic tundra is a vast, treeless region found primarily north of the Arctic Circle. It is characterized by low-lying vegetation like mosses, lichens, and small shrubs, growing on largely bare ground and rock. A key feature of the Arctic tundra is permafrost, which is ground that remains frozen year-round, though a surface layer thaws in the summer. This freeze-thaw cycle significantly shapes the landscape and distinguishes it from adjacent ecosystems. The tundra supports a unique, though limited, variety of animals adapted to its harsh conditions.1234

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Arctic
Traditional culture
…ecosystems, the taiga and the tundra. The open terrain of the tundra permits the supervision of large herds, and these generally migrate with their herdsmen between winter pastures within the margins of the taiga and summer pastures out on the tundra. Such pastoralism therefore entails fairly extended nomadic movements, sometimes…
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…ecosystems, the taiga and the tundra. The open terrain of the tundra permits the supervision of large herds, and these generally migrate with their herdsmen between winter pastures within the margins of the taiga and summer pastures out on the tundra. Such pastoralism therefore entails fairly extended nomadic movements, sometimes…
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Russia
Tundra
…and three subdivisions are recognized: Arctic tundra, with much bare ground and extensive areas of mosses and lichens; shrubby tundra, with mosses, lichens, herbaceous plants, dwarf Arctic birch, and shrub willow; and wooded tundra, with more extensive areas of stunted birch, larch, and spruce. There are considerable stretches of sphagnum…
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…and three subdivisions are recognized: Arctic tundra, with much bare ground and extensive areas of mosses and lichens; shrubby tundra, with mosses, lichens, herbaceous plants, dwarf Arctic birch, and shrub willow; and wooded tundra, with more extensive areas of stunted birch, larch, and spruce. There are considerable stretches of sphagnum…
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Arctic
Drainage and soils
Arctic soils are closely related to vegetation. Unlike soils farther south, they rarely develop strong zonal characteristics. By far the most common are the tundra soils, which are circumpolar in distribution. They are badly drained and strongly acid and have a variable, undecomposed organic layer…
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Arctic soils are closely related to vegetation. Unlike soils farther south, they rarely develop strong zonal characteristics. By far the most common are the tundra soils, which are circumpolar in distribution. They are badly drained and strongly acid and have a variable, undecomposed organic layer…
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tundra
…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…
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…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…
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Arctic
Vegetation
…the southern edge of the Arctic, dwarf shrubs are found in protected sites on these rock deserts.
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…the southern edge of the Arctic, dwarf shrubs are found in protected sites on these rock deserts.
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