Natural Environments of the North: Tundra to Desert

Arctic Tundra

Northernmost regions (N Canada, Alaska, Russia, Greenland). Permafrost prevents trees; mosses, lichens, shrubs. Wildlife: polar bears, caribou, wolves, musk oxen.

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Encircles globe south of tundra. Cold winters, short cool summers. Evergreens (spruce, fir, pine). Moose, deer, bears, wolves, lynx.

Temperate Forest

Eastern US, Canada, Europe, China, Japan. Deciduous trees. Deer, bears, wolves, foxes, raccoons.

Grassland

Great Plains, Pampas, Steppes. Tall grasses. Bison, pronghorns, wolves, coyotes, eagles.

Desert

SW US, Mexico, Africa, Middle East, Australia. Extreme temps, little water. Camels, snakes, lizards, scorpions.