The High Arctic is the planet’s northernmost terrestrial ecoregion, a vast area defined by extreme cold and sparse vegetation. It encompasses lands north of the 75th parallel, including the upper Canadian Arctic Archipelago, northern Greenland, and archipelagos like Svalbard. Unlike the Low Arctic to its south, which supports more extensive tundra, the High Arctic’s severe environment significantly restricts plant life. Its landscape consists of ice caps, glaciers, and exposed rock.
Defining the High Arctic Environment
The High Arctic is composed of islands and coastal lands around the Arctic Ocean, including Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands and northern Greenland. These landmasses are often mountainous, with peaks on Ellesmere Island reaching 2,500 meters, but also feature extensive lowland plains covered in glacial deposits.
The region’s polar desert climate is characterized by extreme cold and low precipitation. Average winter temperatures can fall to -32°C, while summer temperatures hover around freezing. Annual precipitation is scarce, often between 100-200 mm and as low as 50 mm in some areas, which severely limits the availability of liquid water.
The region experiences continuous darkness during the polar night and perpetual daylight from the midnight sun in summer. A thick layer of permafrost, or ground that remains frozen year-round, underlies the landscape. This frozen substrate prevents deep root growth and impedes water drainage, leading to the formation of patterned ground.
Unique Wildlife and Plant Life
Fauna in the High Arctic is dominated by species adapted to survive long, cold winters with scarce food. The polar bear hunts seals on sea ice in coastal areas. Its large, fur-covered paws help it walk on snow and ice, while a thick layer of blubber provides insulation.
The muskox subsists on sparse vegetation, using its hooves to dig through snow for sedges and willows, while its dense coat provides insulation. Smaller mammals like the Arctic fox and Arctic hare have compact bodies to minimize heat loss and white coats for camouflage. The endangered Peary caribou, North America’s smallest caribou subspecies, also inhabits the region.
Plant life consists of species that tolerate polar desert conditions. Vegetation is sparse, with much of the ground being bare rock or covered by moss and lichen crusts. In sheltered areas, hardy vascular plants like sedges, purple saxifrage, and the Arctic poppy can be found. Dwarf shrubs such as the Arctic willow grow close to the ground to avoid wind and use warmer surface temperatures during the brief summer growing season.
Human Habitation and Activity
The High Arctic has been home to Indigenous peoples, primarily the Inuit and their ancestors, for millennia. Their cultures are deeply intertwined with the land, relying on sophisticated knowledge of sea ice, animal behavior, and weather patterns for survival. Hunting and fishing remain central to their subsistence.
The region is now a hub for international scientific research. Numerous research stations operated by various countries are located across the High Arctic, particularly in Svalbard, Greenland, and on Canada’s Ellesmere Island. These stations support studies in glaciology, atmospheric science, geology, and biology.
The High Arctic’s environmental conditions provide a natural laboratory for science. Scientists study Earth’s climate history by analyzing ice cores from ancient glaciers and ice caps. The region’s sensitivity to environmental shifts also makes it a prime location for monitoring the impacts of climate change, including changes in ice cover and ecosystem responses to warming.
Contemporary Significance and Changes
The High Arctic is warming much faster than the global average, drawing global attention to its rapid response to climate change. Glaciers are receding, the Greenland Ice Sheet is losing mass, and the extent of summer sea ice is declining. This loss of sea ice affects native wildlife and has global implications, as reflective ice is replaced by darker, heat-absorbing ocean water.
The thawing of permafrost is a major concern, as it can release large amounts of stored carbon as methane and carbon dioxide. These greenhouse gases could further amplify global warming.
The reduction in sea ice is opening previously impassable shipping routes, such as the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route. These routes offer shorter transit times between Asia, Europe, and North America. This growing accessibility, along with speculation about untapped oil, gas, and mineral resources, has intensified geopolitical interest and raised concerns about sovereignty and environmental protection.