The tundra and polar semi-desert landscapes of Banks Island and Prince Patrick Island, Western Canadian Arctic

Abstract

Tundra and polar desert environments characterize the islands of the Western Canadian Arctic. Prince Patrick Island is a typical polar semi-desert; Banks Island illustrates the intermixing of polar-desert and tundra environments. Interpretation of these periglacial landscapes must consider not only the normal links that exist between rocks, relief, climate and weathering but also specific relationships between low temperature, aridity, snow, frozen ground, wind and vegetation.