Polar deserts, their plant cover and plant production in the Canadian High Arctic

A total of 41 stands was sampled for species composition and 29 of these stands for plant standing crop and net annual production at 7 sites on 6 arctic islands. Fourteen additional sites on 10 islands were studied in less detail. Through polar ordination, three groupings were recognized: polar barrens with an average species richness of 6, a phytomass of 24 g m−2, and a net annual production of 0.8 g m−2. Comparable data for the cushion plant and snowflush communities were 9, 120, 3 and 13 species, 400 g m−2, phytomass and 41 g m−2 net production respectively. Cryptogams are minor except within showflush communities. The soils show no horizon development, arc alkaline, and are very tow in organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It is believed that the combination of limited soil moisture in mid-summer and very low nutrient levels are the primary reason for such low plant cover and plant production in these predominantly polar barren landscapes. Geologic substrate with an abundance of frost-shattered rock and topographic position are factors that control the limited availability of water.

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