What type of biome is characterized by very low temperatures, little precipitation, and permafrost?

The biome characterized by very low temperatures, minimal precipitation, and the presence of permafrost is the tundra. This environment is typically found in polar regions and high elevations. Permafrost, which is a layer of permanently frozen ground, significantly influences the types of organisms that can survive there since it restricts root growth for most plants.

In the tundra, harsh climatic conditions result in a very short growing season during the summer months, when temperatures can rise slightly above freezing, allowing for the growth of specially adapted plants like mosses and lichens. The low levels of precipitation often resemble that of a desert, but the key differentiator is the temperature and the presence of permafrost, which is not found in desert biomes.

Deserts, tropical rainforests, and grasslands each have different temperature ranges, moisture levels, and ecological characteristics that do not support the severe conditions described in the question. Deserts are hot with low rainfall but lack permafrost; tropical rainforests have high temperatures and high humidity; and grasslands experience moderate weather without the extreme cold or frozen ground characteristic of the tundra.