Characteristic Animals:

* Arctic fox

* Caribou

* Lemmings

* Snowy owl

* Musk ox

Characteristic Plants:

* Lichens

* Mosses

* Sedges

* Grasses

* Dwarf shrubs

Soil:

* Permafrost (permanently frozen ground)

* Thin, poorly developed soil

* Low in organic matter

Climate:

* Cold and dry

* Long, cold winters

* Short, cool summers

* Low precipitation

Other Notable Features:

* Located in the Arctic and alpine regions

* Characterized by a treeless landscape

* Has a low biodiversity

* Plant growth is limited by the cold temperatures and short growing season

* The permafrost restricts root growth and limits water drainage