View source for Earth:Arctic Biogeographic Region

{{Infobox ecoregion
|name = Arctic Biogeographic Region
|image = File:Spitsbergen 07(js).jpg
|image_size =
|image_alt =
|caption = Spitsbergen, 
|map = Europe biogeography countries en.svg
|map_size =
|map_alt =
|map_caption =Biogeographic regions of Europe, as defined by the [[Organization:European Environment Agency|European Environment Agency]]<br/>{{box|color=#B5E8D6|border color=#BBB|border size=1px |Arctic}} 
|biogeographic_realm = [[Biology:Palearctic realm|Palearctic]]
|area =
|country =
|countries =
|coordinates = 
|geology =
|seas = [[Earth:Arctic Ocean|Arctic Ocean]]
|rivers =
|climate = 
}}
The '''European Arctic Biogeographic Region''' is the [[Earth:Biogeography|biogeographic]] region of Europe around and in the [[Earth:Arctic Ocean|Arctic Ocean]].

==Extent==

The European Commission and the Council of Europe have defined the European Arctic biogeographical region for the purpose of reporting on conservation efforts and results.
The region includes Iceland and parts of Norway and Russia, including [[Place:Svalbard|Svalbard]] (Spitsbergen), Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya.
It has a land area of {{convert|670000|km2}}, of which 63% is in Russia, 22% in Norway and 15% in Iceland.
About 60% of the land is covered by grassland and tundra.{{sfn|Condé |Richard |Merzliakova |Ottósson|2008|pp=4–5}}

==Environment==

The region has a wide variety of landscapes, and includes some of the last remaining large wilderness areas in Europe.
Many of the land areas are coastal, strongly affected by exchange with the sea.
Large areas are ice-covered, and many areas have [[Earth:Permafrost|permafrost]], creating demanding conditions for plants and animals.
Most species are dormant in winter, but large number of plants and animals are active in the warmer months.
There are many species of migrating birds and fish, common to all the polar regions.{{sfn|Condé |Richard |Merzliakova |Ottósson|2008|p=4}}

The environment is affected by air pollution from distant sources.
Some areas have been affected by [[Earth:Overgrazing|overgrazing]], and are now being affected by tourism.
Global warming will force species to move northward or to higher elevations, and may cause some extinctions.{{sfn|Condé |Richard |Merzliakova |Ottósson|2008|p=4}}

==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation |url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/report_2002_0524_154909/biogeographical-regions-in-europe/ArcticReg.pdf/view |accessdate=2019-08-28
 |last1=Condé |first1=Sophie  |first2=Dominique |last2=Richard |first3=Irina |last3=Merzliakova |first4=Jón Gunnar |last4=Ottósson |title=The Arctic biogeographical 
 |publisher=European Environment Agency |date=19 December 2008}}
{{refend}}
{{Biogeographic regions of Europe}}

[[Category:Environment of the Arctic]]
[[Category:Biogeography]]

{{Sourceattribution|Arctic Biogeographic Region}}