Why can tundra landscapes be wet even though they receive little precipitation?

Tundra landscapes can remain wet despite receiving low levels of precipitation primarily due to the presence of permafrost and low rates of evaporation.21

• Impermeable Substrate: Most tundra regions are underlain by permafrost, a layer of soil that remains frozen year-round. This layer acts as an impermeable barrier that prevents surface water from percolating downward into the ground.231
• Limited Evaporation: Although tundra regions receive little precipitation—comparable to some deserts—the consistently low temperatures in both winter and summer significantly limit evaporation. Consequently, the moisture that does arrive from snowmelt and summer rains is retained within the thin, thawed surface zone known as the active layer.1

These factors cause the ground to become saturated and boggy, particularly in level areas, leading to the formation of extensive wetlands such as bogs and fens. In contrast, alpine tundra is generally drier because it typically lacks a continuous permafrost layer and features steep topography that allows for rapid drainage.231