Question

During summer in tundra areas there is sufficient defrosted soil to enable small plants to grow. However, there is not much precipitation. What part of the soil do plants use for a source of water?

Answer 1

Plants in tundra areas use the moisture in the soil as a source of water during the summer months. This moisture is usually from snowmelt or from the condensation of water vapor in the air.

Answer 2

The plants in the Arctic tundra extract water from the thawed layer of soil above the perma-frost during the short summer season.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Arctic tundra areas, small plants grow during the short summer season when the perma-frost thaws slightly. Even with low precipitation, these plants, which are generally low to the ground, can survive and grow rapidly during this time due to nearly 24 hours of daylight. The source of water for these plants is the melted perma-frost. Since the perma-frost prevents deep penetration of roots and slows the decay of organic matter, plants are unable to derive moisture from deep within the soil. Instead, they rely on the thin layer of thawed soil above the perma-frost for their water needs. In addition to providing moisture, the thawed layer also provides a burst of productivity thanks to the nutrients released from the slow decomposition of organic matter.