While some ecosystems like tropical rainforests and coral reefs teem with life, others support only a small number of highly specialized species. But which biome has the lowest biodiversity?
The answer: the tundra biome.
What Is the Tundra Biome?
The tundra is a cold, treeless biome found in the Arctic and at high mountain elevations (alpine tundra).
Key features include:
- Extremely low temperatures
- Short growing seasons (just a few weeks)
- Permafrost soils that remain frozen most of the year
- Low primary productivity due to limited plant growth
These harsh conditions limit biodiversity compared to other biomes.
📌 Entities & LSI terms: Arctic tundra, alpine tundra, permafrost, polar biome, low productivity ecosystems.
Do You Know What Describes an Ecosystem With High Biodiversity?
Why Does the Tundra Have the Lowest Biodiversity?
1. Extreme Cold
- Long, harsh winters prevent many plants and animals from surviving.
2. Limited Plant Life
- Only mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs can grow.
- No tall trees due to frozen soils and short summers.
3. Short Growing Season
- Plants have just 6–10 weeks each year to photosynthesize and reproduce.
4. Low Food Availability
- Few plant species = fewer herbivores = fewer carnivores.
- Simplified food webs compared to rainforests or grasslands.
Examples of Tundra Biodiversity
Although limited, tundra ecosystems still support specialized species adapted to extreme conditions:
- Plants → mosses, lichens, dwarf birch, Arctic willow.
- Herbivores → caribou (reindeer), musk ox, Arctic hare, lemmings.
- Carnivores → Arctic fox, snowy owl, polar bear (coastal tundra).
- Migratory species → millions of birds breed in the tundra during summer.
📌 Note: While tundra biodiversity is low overall, its species are highly specialized and crucial for Arctic food webs.
Check What Is the Single Greatest Threat to Biodiversity
Comparison With Other Biomes
- Rainforests → highest biodiversity, thousands of species per hectare.
- Temperate forests → moderate biodiversity, seasonal variation.
- Grasslands → fewer species than forests but still diverse.
- Deserts → low biodiversity, but higher than tundra because of year-round warmth and specialized desert plants/animals.
- Tundra → lowest biodiversity overall due to extreme climate and permafrost.
Read Why Are Biodiversity Hotspots Important?
Importance of Tundra Ecosystems
Even with low biodiversity, tundra biomes are ecologically important:
- Carbon storage → permafrost locks in carbon, preventing release into the atmosphere.
- Migratory bird breeding grounds → millions of birds depend on tundra wetlands.
- Climate indicators → species like lichens and Arctic foxes are early warning signals for environmental change.
Read What Are the Three Patterns of Biodiversity Darwin Observed
Threats to the Tundra
- Climate change → warming melts permafrost, releasing carbon and methane.
- Habitat disruption → oil drilling, mining, and infrastructure fragment fragile ecosystems.
- Species vulnerability → specialized species struggle to adapt to rapid change.
Read Which Ecosystem Has the Highest Biodiversity
Frequently Asked Questions
Which biome has the least biodiversity?
The tundra has the lowest biodiversity due to extreme cold, short growing seasons, and limited vegetation.
Why is tundra biodiversity so low?
Because of frozen soils, limited plant growth, and harsh climatic conditions.
Are deserts less biodiverse than tundra?
No. While deserts have low biodiversity, they generally support more species than tundra thanks to year-round warmth.
Final Thoughts
So, which biome has the lowest biodiversity? The answer is the tundra, where extreme cold, permafrost, and short summers limit life.
But even in these harsh conditions, specialized plants and animals have adapted to survive. Protecting the tundra is crucial—not only for its wildlife but also because its frozen soils play a major role in regulating Earth’s climate.
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