U52 Polar desert
Polar desert is characterized by extreme low summer temperatures, low precipitation and shallow, usually base-rich, soils over permafrost and flat or low undulating relief. The habitat is often totally bare or has at most a very sparse low cover of rosette plants growing among bryophytes and lichens. A light snow cover can encourage somewhat more extensive growth and areas with higher precipitation where reindeer graze and defaecate benefit from more moisture and nutrients.
Chytrý M., Tichý L., Hennekens S.M., Knollová I., Janssen J.A.M., Rodwell J.S. … Schaminée J.H.J. (2020) EUNIS Habitat Classification: expert system, characteristic species combinations and distribution maps of European habitats. Applied Vegetation Science 23: 648–675. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12519
Version 2021-06-01, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4812736.
For the official presentation of the EUNIS Habitat Classification from the European Environment Agency, please see: EUNIS Terrestrial Habitat Classification 2021. The FloraVeg.EU presentation may show modifications and partial updates to the habitat classification.