MEDIA COVERAGE
Radio 1's Morning Ireland
Dundalk devotes exhibition to Arctic Fox
RTE's Nationwide
Exhibition on Dundalk polar explorer
About the Arctic
Flora
As trees cannot grow in the Arctic climate, the vegetation, in the main, consists of dwarf shrubs, herbs, lichens and mosses; all of which grow relatively close to the ground. Typically, plants in the Arctic have adapted to the harsh environment associated with the cold growing seasons. In addition to withstanding the cold temperatures of the area, they have a short growing season, sprouting in spring and flowering and setting seed much more quickly than plants found in warmer climes. Moreover, their height is determined by snow depth, as plants that protrude above the snow are prey to strong winds and blowing snow, as well as any animals inhabiting the area such as caribou or muskox.
Interestingly the Arctic boasts 90 flowering plants that can be found as far north as 82 degrees (this is in marked contrast to the Antarctic which is home to just two flowering species with only tiny lichens growing further south than 80 degrees). In the warmest parts of the Arctic, shrubs are common growing to a height of 2 metres, mosses and lichens can grow in thick layers. Meanwhile in the coldest areas much of the ground is bare with mosses and lichens the most common plants to be found.