Summer Climate, Microclimate, and Energy Budget of a Polar Semidesert on King Christian Island, N.W.T., Canada

The climate, microclimate, and energy balance of a Lichen-Moss-Rush plant community in the vicinity of Cape Abernathy, King Christian Island (77°45′N, 101°10′W) are described. This community predominates in the polar semidesert areas of the north-central Queen Elizabeth Islands. The maritime summer climate is characterized by low temperature (2.5°C), low precipitation (43 mm), moderate average wind speed (5.9 m s-1), high relative humidity (90%), and a high incidence of cloud and fog (80%). Different surface types had only a minimal effect on the near-surface environment as a result of an aerodynamically smooth surface and only very shallow gradients in temperature and moisture from surface to atmosphere. High atmospheric humidity and low temperatures predominate in the "free" air and combine with low incoming radiation to control surface energy relations.