Which biome is typical of the Canadian Arctic and northern regions?

• A. Tundra
• B. Boreal forest
• C. Temperate rainforest
• D. Mixed forest

Answer: (A)

Climate shapes which biome can survive in a region, and the Arctic and northern parts of Canada have conditions that are too cold for trees to take hold most of the year. The tundra is defined by very cold winters, short, cool summers, and soil that is often permanently frozen (permafrost). With such a short growing season and a harsh environment, vegetation stays close to the ground—mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs—creating a treeless, low-lying landscape. This is the characteristic scene of the northern Arctic regions. In contrast, boreal forest is found a bit farther south where winters are cold but not as extreme and there is enough time and warmth for coniferous trees to grow; temperate rainforests require milder, wetter conditions; mixed forests need climates that support both deciduous and coniferous trees. So the typical biome in the Canadian Arctic and northern regions is tundra.