In the Arctic, growing conditions for vegetation vary greatly. In the southern parts of the Arctic, plant communities can be vigorous with small trees and stands of low growing shrubs.
The further north one travels, the shorter and more sparse the ground cover becomes until in the high Arctic, which is a true desert. Here, the plants are scattered across stony ground and the most numerous plants are the lichens. Also here the carpet of flowers are only found below bird cliffs or other areas of high fertility.