Arctic Plants in Different Tundras

Abstract

There are around 3000 species of plants living in the Arctic, including seed plants and mosses. The number of Arctic seed plants is 1600–2000 including subspecies. A total of 1300 mosses and liverworts live in the Arctic. Compare to more temperate ecosystems, the diversity of Arctic vegetation is very low. Nonetheless, they support large populations of arctic animals such as reindeer, muskox, and seasonal birds by supplying foods and nesting habitats. We already looked at the life forms of Arctic plants in Table 2.1. However, when we read a book or papers on Arctic plants, we find other terms explaining Arctic vegetation: Desert tundra, dry tundra, mesic tundra, moist tundra, wet tundra, heath tundra, tussock tundra, meadow tundra, steppe tundra, shrub tundra, and so on. The preceding five terms are related to the moisture content of the soil. Dry tundra, moist tundra, and wet tundra often include the following kinds of plants: dry heath tundra, moist tussock tundra, and wet sedge tundra. Let us take a closer look at Arctic plants according to the different tundra regions: polar desert, dry tundra, mesic tundra, moist tundra, wet tundra, and shrub tundra.