Image: World map of tundra.

Data courtesy World Wildlife Fund

Tundras and Ice Sheets

Arctic and alpine tundras are areas where trees grow sparsely due to a short growing season, low precipitation, strong winds, and in the case of alpine tundras, high altitude. Tundras are often found near permanent ice sheets where, during summer, the ice and snow recede to expose the ground and allow vegetation to grow.

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