---
title: "The Arctic Tundra"
description: "Know what the Arctic tundra is — a vast, treeless landscape with permafrost (permanently frozen ground) just below the surface, a very short growing season in summer when mosses, lichens, and tough gr"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-arctic-tundra-mt_X4CJpPRxae
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-arctic-tundra-mt_X4CJpPRxae.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# The Arctic Tundra

Know what the Arctic tundra is — a vast, treeless landscape with permafrost (permanently frozen ground) just below the surface, a very short growing season in summer when mosses, lichens, and tough grasses burst into life, and home to caribou/reindeer, musk oxen, lemmings, and snowy owls

Subject: Science · Area: Polar Regions · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-arctic-tundra-mt_X4CJpPRxae

## Ready when they can

- Describe the tundra as a treeless landscape with permafrost (permanently frozen ground) beneath the surface
- Explain that the tundra has a very short summer growing season when mosses, lichens, and grasses grow quickly
- Name at least three tundra animals: caribou/reindeer, musk oxen, lemmings, or snowy owls

## Lesson: Life on the Arctic Tundra

The tundra is a huge, flat land near the Arctic. It has almost no trees. Deep under the ground, the soil stays frozen all year long. This frozen layer is called permafrost, which means "permanently frozen ground."

For most of the year, the tundra is cold and quiet. But for a few short weeks in summer, it comes alive. Mosses, lichens, and tough little grasses burst up fast, because they only have a short time to grow before winter returns.

*(drawing: Only about 2 months are warm enough for plants to grow. The other 10 months stay frozen.)*

**Example.** Zoe visits the tundra in July. She sees purple flowers poking through the moss, a herd of caribou grazing nearby, and a snowy owl watching from a low rock. There isn't a single tree in sight.

**Tip.** Even in summer, only a thin top layer of soil thaws. Just below it, the ground stays frozen solid. That's why the tundra has no tall trees: roots can't dig down into frozen ground.

**Recap.** The tundra is a flat, treeless land with frozen ground below and a short burst of summer life above.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Comparing Arctic & Antarctic](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/comparing-arctic-and-antarctic-mt_z9jn9HogfE)

## Opens up

- [Climate Change at the Poles](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/climate-change-at-the-poles-mt_Fqna9qHffr)
- [Polar ecosystems compared](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/polar-ecosystems-compared-mt_kOYw43NPzr)