Tundra

In physical geography, tundra is an area where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term "tundra" comes from Kildin Sami t??ndra, the genitive of tundar, "treeless plain".

Alpine tundra

Alpine tundra occurs at high enough altitude at any latitude on Earth. Alpine tundra also lacks trees, but does not usually have permafrost, and alpine soils are generally better drained than permafrost soils. Alpine tundra transitions to subalpine forests below the tree-line; stunted forests occurring at the forest-tundra ecotone are known as Krummholz.

Related Topics:
Altitude - Latitude - Tree-line - Ecotone

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Notable animals in the alpine tundra include, Kea parrots, marmots, Mountain goats, and pika.

Related Topics:
Kea parrots - Marmots - Mountain goats - Pika

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Alpine tundra does not map directly to specific WWF ecoregions. Portions of Montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregions include alpine tundra.

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See also: Alpine climate

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