Why are most Antarctic land plants found near coasts and on islands?

Most Antarctic land plants are found near coasts and on islands because these areas provide the necessary conditions for survival that are largely absent in the continent's harsh interior.12

The primary factors influencing this distribution include:

• Climate and Microclimates: The interior of Antarctica is an extreme cold desert with high elevations and permanent ice cover, which inhibits plant growth. Coastal regions and islands experience stronger maritime influences, which can create more favorable microclimates for survival.123
• Moisture Availability: Moisture is the most critical variable for Antarctic plant life. Coastal areas receive significantly more precipitation than the interior, and local melt supplies from snow and permafrost are more accessible near the continental margin.13
• Ice-Free Land: Much of the continent is engulfed by ice, restricting plant life to the limited number of ice-free areas, which are primarily found along coastal fringes and on nunataks.2
• Soil Development: Near sea level, where conditions are less severe, soil formation is more possible, allowing for the development of vegetation such as mosses and, in some subantarctic regions, grasses.12