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Tundra Defined
Tundra is essentially an icy desert. Less than 10 inches of rain falls annually on tundra locations. The temperature ranges from -40 degrees to 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the mean temperature is zero degrees for most of the year. The landscape is devoid of trees because the soil is too thin to support a tree's root systems. Beneath the soil lies a layer of permafrost.
Arctic Tundra
Circling the North Pole, the Arctic tundra takes up land in the northernmost reaches of Europe, Asia and North America. This is the habitat of polar bears, arctic foxes and musk ox. Plants on the Arctic tundra are typically small with shallow root systems. However, shrubs also survive here.
Antarctic Tundra
Although most of Antarctica is covered in ice, the ice recedes in some areas of the continent. Lichens and mosses take advantage of the exposed ground and a couple of flowering plants have even managed to take root in this tough land. This tundra does not have many land animals, but sea mammals and sea birds do frequent the shores.
Alpine Tundra
Situated in mountains, the alpine tundra is treeless not only because of the thin soil, but because trees can't grow at the high altitudes of this tundra. However, shrubs and small plants grow and are a food source for the habitat's mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Alpine tundra can be found in any of Earth's high mountains.