Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why do wetlands form on the coastal plains of the Arctic tundra?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Tundra
Alaskan mountain and tundra vegetation in the fall.
Wetlands form on the coastal plains of the Arctic tundra primarily because of the presence of permafrost, a layer of ground that remains frozen throughout the year.12
This perennially frozen layer acts as an impermeable barrier that prevents surface water from percolating downward into the soil. Consequently, during the summer thaw, water is unable to drain away, causing the ground to become saturated, boggy, and waterlogged. This poor drainage is a defining characteristic of the Arctic landscape, leading to the widespread development of bogs, fens, and other wetland ecosystems across these low-lying regions.123