Alpine tundra facts for kids
Alpine tundra is a type of geological terrain. It is to be found at high enough altitude at any latitude on Earth. Alpine tundra lacks trees. The lower parts do not have permafrost. Because of this they are generally better drained than permafrost soils. Alpine tundra changes to subalpine forests below the tree line.
Because alpine tundra is in many different widely separated regions of the Earth, there is no animal species found in all areas of alpine tundra.
Some animals of alpine tundra environments include the Kea parrot, marmot, Mountain goats, chinchilla, pika, golden eagle and snow leopard. Plants include mosses, lichens and poor grasses. Some dwarf trees like birch and alder grow in tundras.
Temperatures and rainfall
Alpine tundra is very cold with summer temperatures on average below 10 °C. All types of tundra are classified as a desert.
Geographic position of tundras
Tundras are mainly found in northern areas such as Siberia and the north of Canada.
Images for kids
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Hikers traversing the Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, much of which is in the alpine zone.
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Alpine tundra in the Venezuelan Andes
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Summer in Northern Sweden's Tarfala Valley with its alpine climate
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Alpine tundra above the tree line below Musala Peak in Rila Mountain, Bulgaria
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Silky phacelia (Phacelia sericea, blooming) and spreading phlox (Phlox diffusa) are species of alpine regions of western North America.
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Alpine flora at 11,500 feet (3500 m) on the Flat Tops plateau in the Colorado Rocky Mountains U.S.A
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An alpine mire in the Swiss Alps
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The Himalayan tahr
See also
In Spanish: Pradera alpina para niños
