Soil
This climate is bitterly cold most of the year and has frigid winds. The land is mostly covered by ice and snow. Because the weather is extremely cold, there is a formation of permafrost. Permafrost is the underground soil where water stays frozen for more than two consecutive years. During the summer, the permafrost layer keeps melted snow and ice from soaking into the ground. This creates shallow lakes, marshes, bogs, ponds, and other seasonal wetlands. Because these wetlands are created, lots of mosquitoes, black flies, and other insects thrive in these shallow surface pools. These insects serve as food for
Arctic Tundra vs. Alpine Tundra
Alpine Tundras like the picture to the left don't have trees, because the climate and soils at high altitudes don't allow trees to grow. Another way to tell the difference between Alpine Tundras and Arctic Tundras is that Alpine Tundras don't have permafrost. They are able to drain better then Arctic Tundras. Alpine Tundras are usually found in mountain areas worldwide. Where as Arctic Tundras are usually found in the vast northern areas of Canada and Russia.