Which feature characterizes the tundra biome?

Which feature characterizes the tundra biome?

• A. Subzero long winter
• B. Permafrost
• C. Very little precipitation
• D. Low flora and fauna diversity

Answer: (B)

The feature that defines the tundra is the presence of permafrost—that is, soil that stays frozen year after year. In this biome, a layer of ground remains permanently frozen beneath a thin active layer that thaws for a short summer. That frozen ground shapes the ecosystem by limiting drainage and root growth, so vegetation stays shallow and sparse, with mosses, lichens, and low shrubs dominating. The short, barely enough growing season and the extreme cold are consequences of this permafrost, making it the clearest marker of the tundra. While long, subzero winters and low rainfall describe the climate, they aren’t unique to tundra, and low biodiversity results from the harsh conditions rather than being the defining feature.

The feature that defines the tundra is the presence of permafrost—that is, soil that stays frozen year after year. In this biome, a layer of ground remains permanently frozen beneath a thin active layer that thaws for a short summer. That frozen ground shapes the ecosystem by limiting drainage and root growth, so vegetation stays shallow and sparse, with mosses, lichens, and low shrubs dominating. The short, barely enough growing season and the extreme cold are consequences of this permafrost, making it the clearest marker of the tundra. While long, subzero winters and low rainfall describe the climate, they aren’t unique to tundra, and low biodiversity results from the harsh conditions rather than being the defining feature.