The physical and natural world that comprises the Arctic. This theme includes important interactions in northern climate systems, and particularly the importance of snow and ice. Relations between the environment are ecosystems shown, for example through distrubutions of flora and fauna.

Permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, is ground (soil, sediment,or rock) that remains at or below 0°C for at least two years (Permafrost Subcommittee, 1988). It occurs both on land and beneath offshore Arctic continental shelves, and underlies about 22% of the Earth's land surface.


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The Sea Ice Index provides a quick look at sea ice changes in spatial and historical context and gives a consistent, up-to-date source of sea ice extent and sea ice concentration values and images.

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The Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (CAVM) project at University of Alaska Fairbanks has developed a number of map layers that describe the vegetation across the high north. This map layer shows how scientists have categorized different regions of the Arctic according to their typical vegetation pattern.

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The Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (CAVM) project at University of Alaska Fairbanks has developed a number of map layers that describe the vegetation across the high north. This map layer shows how scientists have categorized different regions of the Arctic according to different growing conditions.

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