Amazing Arctic Moss

Amazing Arctic Moss
Canada's Arctic
University of Guelph

Arctic lakes are inhospitable places for plants. Darkness reigns for at least ten months of the year as sunlight is intercepted by a thick layer of ice and snow. The annual average water temperature hovers just above 0°C, reaching a maximum of only 4–6°C at the height of summer. Nutrient levels are also extremely low, particularly nitrogen. With such environmental challenges, it is no wonder that there is a dearth of plant species. And yet, in some polar lakes, a green carpet covers the lake bottom, extending to great depths (Fig. 1). These hardy aquatic plants are mosses, ancient plants with small leaves, non-woody stems, and lacking true roots. In Arctic and Antarctic lakes, mosses are typically the only multicellular plants present.

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