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Where are Arctic tundra ecosystems found around the world?
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Tundra
Alaskan mountain and tundra vegetation in the fall.
Arctic tundra ecosystems are found in cold regions primarily located north of the Arctic Circle. The southern boundary of these ecosystems is defined by the northern edge of the coniferous forest belt, also known as the tree line or timberline.123
The geographic distribution of the Arctic tundra includes:
- North America: The tundra extends from the Bering Strait across Alaska and northern Canada, following a line generally above latitude 60° N. It spans regions including the Northwest Territories, the Barren Grounds, and northern Quebec toward Labrador.23
- Eurasia: Most of the tundra occurs north of 70° N, though it extends further south in eastern Siberia, reaching 60° N in the Kamchatka Peninsula. It is also found across northern Scandinavia.23
- Other Regions: Tundra vegetation is also present in the inner fjords of southwestern Greenland and in northern Iceland.3
While these areas are characterized by permafrost and a lack of trees, Antarctica does not possess a well-developed tundra ecosystem because it is almost entirely covered by ice.21