Which biome is characterized by very low temperatures and permafrost?

The tundra biome is defined by its extremely low temperatures and the presence of permafrost, which is a permanently frozen layer of soil that lies beneath the surface. This characteristic impacts the type of vegetation that can thrive in this environment, as well as the types of animals that are adapted to survive in such harsh conditions.

In tundra regions, the growing season is short and typically limited to a few months during summer, when the top layer of permafrost thaws enough to allow for some plant growth, primarily low-lying vegetation such as mosses, lichens, and small shrubs. The unique climate and geography of the tundra make it an important biome for studying climate change, as it is sensitive to temperature variations and can serve as an indicator of global climate shifts.