Arctic vegetation

[2] The area of Arctic vegetation decreased by approximately 1.4×10^6 km2 (0.54×10^6 sq mi) from 1980 to 2000, with a corresponding increase in the boreal forest (taiga).

The formula used for the tree line has changed over time: under the Köppen climate classification, the treeline occurs when the July temperature is 10 °C (50 °F).

[12] Even if the local microclimate cannot maintain temperatures above 0 °C (32 °F), some arctic plants and flowers, such as Chamaenerion latifolium, can survive a frost with no damage.

Melt-freeze cycles causes frost heaving, which heavily disturbs the soil and prevents plant communities from reaching ecological equilibrium.

Wind can prune vegetation exposed above the snow line, and can erode even cushion plants that are low to the ground.