Arctic vegetation

About 1,702 species of plants live on the Arctic tundra, including flowering plants, short shrubs, herbs, grasses, and mosses. These plants are adapted to short, cold growing seasons. They have the ability to withstand extremely cold temperatures in the winter (winter hardiness), and grow and reproduce in summer conditions that are quite limiting.

As of 2005, arctic vegetation covered approximately 5×10^6 km2 (1.9×10^6 sq mi) of land. The area of Arctic vegetation decreased by approximately 1.4×10^6 km2 (0.54×10^6 sq mi) from 1980 to 2000, with a corresponding increase in the boreal forest (taiga). This decrease is linked to the warming of the Arctic due to climate change.

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