In the northern region of the earth's surface suggests two biomes are characterized by temperatures ajas: tundra and taiga. The first, whose land is flat, open and sometimes swampy, extending from the polar regions to the northern limit of the taiga forests. The average annual temperature is 12 º C below zero winters reaching 31 degrees Celsius, and average annual rainfall is 250 mm. The subsoil has a continuous ice layer called permafrost, which never thaws. Among the plant species include mosses, lichens and dwarf shrubs. In Excel fauna caribou, reindeer and musk ox as well as wolves, Arctic foxes, polar bears, snowy owls, lemmings, and others. The taiga, however, takes place south of the tundra and appears in the northern regions of Canada and Siberia, mainly. They have an average temperature of 30 º C below zero in winter and 19 º C in summer, with a preponderance of conifers. Growing pine, larch, spruce and birch. Among the animal species include bison, elk, wolves, bears, beavers, woodchucks and deer.
In the tundra peatlands develop or deposits of peat, a fossil fuel composed of plant debris that have accumulated for centuries in the marshes.
The frozen surface of the tundra soil thaws during the summer and form lakes and swamps that foster the development of vegetation at this time of year.