Which biome is characterized by cold temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost?

• A. Desert with low rainfall and sparse vegetation.
• B. Temperate deciduous forest.
• C. Tundra, with cold temperatures and low vegetation.
• D. Tropical rainforest with high rainfall.

Answer: (C)

Cold temperatures with a very short growing season and the presence of permafrost define this biome. Permafrost means the soil stays frozen most of the year, which restricts root growth and slows decomposition, keeping nutrients scarce and soils shallow. Because the summer is so brief, plants can only photosynthesize for a short period, so the vegetation is low-growing and specialized—mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs dominate. This combination of a frozen ground layer, limited warmth, and a tiny window for growth is what sets this biome apart.

In contrast, deserts are defined mainly by low rainfall (not necessarily cold), temperate deciduous forests have longer growing seasons and well-developed soils, and tropical rainforests are hot and wet year-round without permafrost. The tundra’s distinctive climate and soil conditions make it the best fit.