The harsh growing conditions (temperatures, wind, darkness) and mostly frozen soil (lack of liquid water) mean that, once disturbed, recovery will be a slow process. read more
The harsh growing conditions (temperatures, wind, darkness) and mostly frozen soil (lack of liquid water) mean that, once disturbed, recovery will be a slow process. It is not just Arctic tundra, but any ecosystem in which resources for life are limited (alpine tundra, deserts, bogs). read more
The reason it's fragile has to do with the cold temperatures and difficult growing conditions, with a very short growing season each year. All organic matter grows - and decomposes - much, much more slowly than in warmer climates. read more
Best Answer: Ecological processes proceed so slowly under arctic conditions that any damage to the tundra ecosystem takes FAR longer to repair than in temperate or tropical climates. read more