# Earth's Harshest Biome (DD-212)

> Tundra is a treeless biome where cold temperatures and short growing seasons limit plant growth. Arctic tundra rings the far north, and alpine tundra occurs on high mountains; small areas of Antarctic tundra exist too. Below the surface lies permafrost, ground that stays frozen for at least two years in a row. Mosses, lichens, sedges and dwarf shrubs grow there, and animals include caribou, Arctic foxes and many migratory birds that breed in summer. Permafrost holds large amounts of organic carbon, and warming that thaws it can release carbon dioxide and methane. The footage shows tundra landscapes behind the presenter.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2024-03-25
- Last updated: 2024-03-25
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/earths-harshest-biome/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-212-F01**: Tundra is a treeless biome. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Treeless))_
- **DD-212-F02**: There's Arctic and alpine tundra. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Arctic and alpine))_

## Write-up

Tundra soil stays frozen year-round just below the surface. Thawing permafrost could release stored carbon.

1. **Treeless**: Tundra is a treeless biome.
2. **Arctic and alpine**: There's Arctic and alpine tundra.
3. **Permafrost**: Permafrost stays frozen for two years or more.
4. **Life**: Mosses, lichens, caribou and foxes live there.
5. **Carbon**: Thawing permafrost can release carbon.

## Related case files

- [Polar (DD-119)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/polar/): I linked more about frozen places
- [Carved by Ancient Rivers (DD-210)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/carved-by-ancient-rivers/): I linked another landscape shaped over ages
- [Where Your Food Is Grown (DD-211)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/where-your-food-is-grown/): I linked a far harsher landscape

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed. The caption says 'hearty vegetation'; the usual word is hardy.

## Video: Earth's Harshest Biome: Tundra Soil Stays Frozen Year-Round Just Below the Surface

- Duration: 43.1 s · Published: 2024-03-25
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C49jdusNDLT.mp4

### Transcript

DID YOU KNOW? The tundra is a vast and stark landscape and it wraps around the Earth's northern and southern extremes. Characterized by its cold, arid conditions and permafrost, a permanently frozen layer beneath the surface, the tundra is a place where life clings to survival. Despite its harsh environment, the tundra is teeming with life from hearty vegetation like mosses and lichens, to resilient animals such as Caribou, Arctic foxes, and migratory birds. This fragile ecosystem plays a significant role in our planet's acting as a crucial carbon sink. Yet the tundra faces threats from climate change which is causing rapid permafrost melts and altering its delicate balance. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What defines tundra?**  
A: Short growing seasons. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Treeless) · Wikipedia: Tundra)_

**Q: Where is alpine tundra?**  
A: Also Arctic tundra. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Arctic and alpine) · Wikipedia: Tundra)_

**Q: What is permafrost?**  
A: Below the surface. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Permafrost) · Wikipedia: Permafrost)_

**Q: Which animal lives on the tundra?**  
A: Also Arctic foxes. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Life) · Wikipedia: Tundra)_

**Q: What can thawing permafrost release?**  
A: Stored carbon. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Carbon) · Wikipedia: Permafrost)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Tundra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra)
- [Wikipedia: Permafrost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permafrost)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Earth's Harshest Biome." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-212, last updated Mar 25, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/earths-harshest-biome/