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Which plants are common in Arctic tundra ecosystems?
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Tundra
Alaskan mountain and tundra vegetation in the fall.
Arctic tundra ecosystems are characterized by a variety of hardy, low-growing vegetation adapted to harsh conditions, including cold temperatures, short growing seasons, and permanently frozen ground. Common plant life includes:12
- Grasses and Sedges: These are dominant in many areas, particularly in boggy coastal plains where cotton grass (Eriophorum) and various sedges are prevalent.12
- Mosses and Lichens: These form a significant portion of the ground cover. Mosses, such as Sphagnum, are common in wet areas, while lichens often dominate in drier, well-drained heath tundra.12
- Dwarf Shrubs: Low-growing woody plants, including willows (Salix), dwarf birch, and species in the heath family (Ericaceae), are frequently found in protected or sheltered sites.12
- Flowering Plants: During the brief summer, the tundra features various blossoms, such as saxifrage, lupine, mountain avens, and the Arctic poppy.12
Plant communities vary based on local topography, with cushion plants often found on windswept ridges and specialized vegetation growing in rock crevices.12