The natural zone of Arctic wasteland and permafrost is located to the north of latitude 65 N.
The natural zone of Arctic wasteland and permafrost is located to the north of latitude 65 N. The borders of this zone and of the Arctic in general are rather tentative.
Although there is no dry land around the North Pole, fast and floe ice can sometimes substitute for the natural uses of land.
The climate of Arctic wasteland is extremely severe, with strong winds, light precipitation, extremely low temperatures (the average temperature of even the warmest month is close to zero). The zone is covered with snow most of the year. Snow disappears for only 30 to 45 days each year.
Only the Atlantic currents bring more warmth and humidity to some regions, for instance, the western shores of Spitsbergen.
It would seem that life is impossible in this harsh, icy environment, but this is not so. Places where nunatak cliffs emerge from under the ice have their own flora.
A short summer is enough for polar poppies to bloom and bear seeds.
Colonies of birds nest on coastal rocks during summer -- geese, seagulls, eiders, terns and grey-backs.
Arctic waters are inhabited by polar cod, shrimp, prawns…
…and also many varieties of finned carnivores – various seals, walruses and sea elephants.
Seals hunt for fish travelling to the ice floes of the Arctic Ocean. They are yellowish-grey with small dark spots. Baby seals have a beautiful white coat until they grow up. This is why they are called whites in Russia.
To survive in the severe conditions of the Arctic, animals have to be able to preserve heat. Their appearance shows that they are well prepared for the cold. Seals have a thick layer of fat. Polar foxes, reindeer and polar bears have thick fur and snowy owls have thick feathering. Most animals have stocky legs. Photo: Reindeer.
Polar bears are the best known residents of the Arctic. The Arctic is their kingdom. They are on their own turf there. Polar bears are not bothered by the absence of dry land. Ice sheets in the Arctic Ocean are their main habitat.
Arctic animals are truly unique. Some of them are endemic to the Arctic. Photo: An auk.
