The natural tundra zone is located on the northern coast of Eurasia, North America and some islands. The climate here is harsh, the flora is very poor, and only those who can adapt to such severe cold live among the animals.
What is the tundra?
The natural zone of the tundra is located in the northern hemisphere and covers the northern part of Russia and Canada. The nature here is very sparse, and the climate is considered harsh. Summer is practically absent - it lasts only a few weeks, and the temperature usually stays at 10-15 degrees Celsius. Precipitation occurs frequently, but the total amount is small.
The tundra stretches along the entire coast of the Arctic Ocean. Due to the constant low temperatures, winter lasts about nine months here (the temperature can be up to -50 ° C), and the rest of the time the temperature does not rise above + 15 ° C. Low temperatures also lead to the fact that the earth is frozen all the time and does not have time to thaw.
There are no forests and tall trees here. In this area there are only marshes, small rivers, mosses, lichens, low plants and shrubs that can survive in such a harsh climate. Their flexible stems and low height allow them to adapt to cold winds.
However, the tundra is still a beautiful place. This can be especially noticed in summer, when it sparkles with different colors thanks to the many delicious berries that spread over a beautiful carpet.
In addition to berries and mushrooms, herds of reindeer can be found in the tundra in summer. At this time of year, they eat whatever they find: lichens, leaves, etc. And in winter, deer feed on plants that they get out from under the snow, while they can even break it with a hoof. These animals are very sensitive, have great charm, and also know how to swim - reindeer can freely swim across a river or lake.
Flora and fauna
The flora in the tundra is very poor. The soil of this zone can hardly be called fertile, since most of the time it is frozen. Few plant species can survive in such difficult conditions where there is little heat and sunlight. Here grow mosses, lichens, snow buttercups, saxifrage, and in summer some berries appear. All plants here are of dwarf growth. The “forest”, as a rule, grows only up to the knee, and the local “trees” are not taller than an ordinary mushroom. The geographical position is completely unsuitable for forests, since temperatures have been low for many years in a row.
As for the animals, the tundra is most suitable for those of them who prefer the sea. Due to the large amount of water in these places, many water birds live here - ducks, geese, loons. The fauna of the tundra is rich in hares, foxes, wolves, brown and polar bears, musk oxen and, of course, reindeer. And in the lakes of the tundra, there is a wide variety of fish, for example, dallia or salmon.
