What Causes a Tundra to Form?
The tundra is one of the coldest regions on the planet, with an average temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Several key factors help geologists and environmentalists determine the conditions of a tundra. The Koppen system classifies a tundra as Dfc. The “D” pertains to the tundra’s snowy climate. The “f” stands for sufficient precipitation year-round, and the “c” indicates that fewer than four months have average temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1 degree on the Celsius scale. Precipitation is sparse and primarily snow, with no more than 18 inches a year. There are tundras in northern Europe, Russia, parts of Alaska, and northern Canada–all near the Arctic Circle. A tundra forms because the area takes in more carbon dioxide than it produces. The tundra is one of Earth’s three major carbon dioxide sinks. Plants indigenous to the tundra region do not undergo a regular photosynthetic cycle. They absorb oxygen during the short summer months but quickly freeze during winter and
