Biology / Unit 14 Bio 3499 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Tundra and the Permafrost Constraint
Captions available
The idea
Tundra occurs at the highest latitudes and elevations, where a short growing season and permafrost, permanently frozen subsurface soil, limit vegetation to low, shallow-rooted plants.
In practice
Tundra vegetation stays low and shallow-rooted because roots cannot penetrate the permafrost beneath the thin thawed surface.
Where people slip
Permafrost thaw depth, not temperature alone, constrains tundra plant form — deeper-rooted plants cannot establish.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Biology