Derived from the Finnish word tunturia, meaning treeless or barren land, tundra is the coldest and driest of all biomes. Despite these extreme conditions, the tundra is home to several unique species of plant and animal. Learn the difference between arctic and alpine tundra, and what impacts melting permafrost could have on our changing planet.

biology science animals ecology environment Ecosystem Arctic grade 7 biome tundra NatGeo