polar desert

A polar desert is a type of cold desert found at very high latitudes, specifically in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These deserts receive minimal precipitation, typically less than 25 cm (9.8 inches) annually, which often falls as snow or fog. They experience short summers with average temperatures below 10°C (50°F) and long, frigid winters that can drop below -40°C (-40°F).1

The extreme cold and the fact that most water is frozen in glaciers and ice sheets mean that liquid water is scarce. This lack of available water severely limits the diversity and abundance of plant and animal life that can survive in these harsh conditions. The ecosystems are characterized by low species diversity and relative simplicity, leading to less stability and significant population fluctuations for the few species present.12