Land Cover Around the Arctic Ocean: The Tundra Biome

The dominant land cover encircling the Arctic Ocean is tundra. This treeless biome spans the northernmost reaches of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia. Key characteristics include:

• Permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil)
• Short growing season (50‑60 days)
• Low temperatures year‑round
• Vegetation: mosses, lichens, sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs, and scattered wildflowers

The tundra acts as a critical carbon sink and provides habitat for caribou, muskox, Arctic fox, and migratory birds.