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tundra
There are two types of tundra in the world, Arctic and Alpine. The arctic tundra is at the top of the world around the North Pole. The tops of tall cold mountains are alpine tundra. The most distinctive characteristic of the tundra soil is its permafrost, a permanently frozen layer of ground which can be 2000 feet thick
Shallow rooted tundra plants and microorganisms grow in the permafrost. The number of plant species is few, and growth is slow, with most of the biomass concentrated in the roots. The growing season is short, and plants are more likely to reproduce vegetation by division and building than sexually by flower pollination.
Typical arctic vegetation includes cotton grass, sedge, and dwarf heath, together with associated mosses and lichens. Plant communities are adapted to sweeping winds and to soil disturbance from frost heaves. They are adapted to carry on photosynthesis at low temperatures, low light intensities, and long periods of daylight. Alpine plant communities, on the other hand, consist of mat-making and cushion-forming plants, which are rare in the Arctic.