Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which organisms can survive in the Antarctic polar desert?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Polar ecosystem
Southern limit of Arctic tundra and approximate line of demarcation between Low and High Arctic.
The Antarctic polar desert is an extremely harsh environment where the lack of liquid water and freezing temperatures severely limit life. Despite these conditions, several organisms have adapted to survive on the continent:1
- Microorganisms and Fungi: The landscape supports bacteria, algae, yeasts, and various fungi. Notably, cyanobacteria exist as endolithic (stone-dwelling) forms within porous rocks, remaining dormant until rare melting snow provides moisture.123
- Plants: There are approximately 800 species of Antarctic plants, the vast majority of which are lichens (about 350 species) and mosses. Only two native species of vascular plants are found on the continent.23
- Invertebrates: Terrestrial fauna is limited to a few species, including protozoans, rotifers, nematodes, tardigrades, collembola, and mites, which are primarily restricted to moist moss beds.3
- Vertebrates: Cold-adapted mammals and birds, such as elephant seals and various penguins, inhabit coastal areas, relying on marine food chains rather than terrestrial resources.13