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Where are polar barrens and tundra ecosystems found?
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Polar ecosystem
Southern limit of Arctic tundra and approximate line of demarcation between Low and High Arctic.
Polar barrens and tundra ecosystems are found at high latitudes on land surfaces that are not covered by perpetual ice and snow. These regions, which lie beyond the tree line, account for more than 10 percent of the Earth's land surface.1
Most of these ecosystems are located in the Arctic and subarctic regions, as very little land in the Antarctic remains free of ice and snow. Within the Arctic, these environments are often categorized by their biological and environmental characteristics:1
- Tundra: Generally found in the Low Arctic, these areas feature a continuous cover of vegetation, such as mosses, lichens, herbs, and small shrubs. The term also encompasses alpine tundra, which occurs above the timberline on high mountains.123
- Polar Barrens: These are dominant in the High Arctic and are characterized by being sparsely vegetated, often appearing as rock deserts.13