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Although the bulk of its area is covered by ice caps inhospitable to most forms of life, Greenland's terrain and waters support a wide variety of plant and animal species. The northeastern part of the island is the world's largest national park. The flora and fauna of Greenland are strongly susceptible to changes associated with climate change. [1]
Greenland Native name: Grønland Kalaallit Nunaat Outline map of Greenland with ice sheet depths. (Much of the area in green has permanent snow cover, but less than 10m (33ft) thick.) Geography Location Between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean Coordinates 64°10′N 51°43′W / 64.167°N 51.717°W / 64.167; -51.717 Area 2,166,086 km 2 (836,330 sq mi) Area rank 1st ...
Areas inland of this strip of land are either covered in ice or bare rock. About one-third of the region is covered by mosses and lichens, and another 3% by herbaceous vegetation and shrubs. The largest national park in the world, Northeast Greenland National Park, protects a majority of the land within the ecoregion.
On the west coast, the relatively warmer climate supports a dwarf-scrub heath and steppe-like vegetation. The warmest and driest areas, at the head of fjords, there are sheltered areas that support scrub and low forests of green alder (Alnus alnobetula), white birch (Betula pubescens), and Greenland mountain ash (Sorbus groenlandica). [2]
The flora of Greenland consists of a total of 583 species or 614 taxa (species and subspecies) of vascular plants, of which 13 are endemic, and 87 taxa introduced by humans, most of which are naturalized. [1] [page needed] [2] [better source needed]
Global warming is turning Greenland green. Parts of Greenland’s ice sheet and glaciers that melted over the past three decades have been replaced by wetlands, shrub vegetation and areas of ...
Tundra vegetation is composed of dwarf shrubs, sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens. Scattered trees grow in some tundra regions. The ecotone (or ecological boundary region) between the tundra and the forest is known as the tree line or timberline. The tundra soil is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. [2]
Growing sometimes to tree height is the Greenland mountain ash (Sorbus decora), which is usually a shrub. [1] Green alder (Alnus alnobetula) is also found in the valley. [2] Trees in the Qinngua valley (1900) It is possible that other forests of this type once existed in Greenland but were cleared by early settlers for firewood or building ...