Low Arctic tundra: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 66°15′N 102°15′W / 66.25°N 102.25°W / 66.25; -102.25
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{{Short description|Tundra ecoregion of Canada}}
{{Infobox ecoregion
{{Infobox ecoregion
|name = Low Arctic tundra
|name = Canadian Low Arctic tundra
|image = Thelon river oasis.jpg
|image = Thelon river oasis.jpg
|image_size = 300
|image_size = 300
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|map_alt = Ecoregion territory (in green)
|map_alt = Ecoregion territory (in green)
|map_caption = Ecoregion territory (in green)
|map_caption = Ecoregion territory (in green)
|ecozone = [[Neoarctic]]
|ecozone = [[Nearctic realm|Nearctic]]
|biome = [[Tundra]]
|biome = [[Tundra]]
|animals =
|animals =
|bird_species =
|bird_species =
|border1 = [[Arctic coastal tundra]]
|borders =
|border2 = [[Eastern Canadian Shield taiga]]
|border3 = [[Middle Arctic tundra]]
|border4 = [[Northern Canadian Shield taiga]]
|border5 = [[Northwest Territories taiga]]
|border6 = [[Southern Hudson Bay taiga]]
|area = 798399
|area = 798399
|country = [[Canada]]
|country = [[Canada]]
|state1 = [[Manitoba]]
|state =
|state2 = [[Northwest Territories]]
⚫
|region_type =
|state3 = [[Nunavut]]
|state4 = [[Quebec]]
⚫
|region_type = Province/Territory
|elevation =
|elevation =
|coordinates = {{coord|66.25|N|102.25|W|display=title,inline}}
|coordinates = {{coord|66.25|N|102.25|W|display=title,inline}}
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|seas =
|seas =
|rivers =
|rivers =
|climate = [[Polar climate|Polar]] and [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]]
|climate =
|soil =
|soil =
|conservation =
|conservation =
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|protected_ref =
|protected_ref =
}}
}}
The '''Low Arctic tundra''' [[ecoregion]] (WWF ID:NA1114) covers a rolling landscape of shrubby tundra vegetation along the northern edge of mainland [[Canada]] along the border of the [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Nunavut]], and a small portion in [[Quebec]] on the northeast coast of [[Hudson Bay]].<ref name="wwf">{{cite web|title=Low Arctic tundra|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/na1114|publisher=World Wildlife Federation|language=en|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ecomap">{{cite web|title=Map of Ecoregions 2017|url=https://ecoregions2017.appspot.com/|publisher=Resolve, using WWF data|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="dopa">{{cite web|title=Low Arctic tundra|url=https://dopa-explorer.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ecoregion/51114|publisher=Digital Observatory for Protected Areas|language=en|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name="eoe">{{cite web|title=Low Arctic tundra|url=https://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Low_Arctic_tundra|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Earth|language=en|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> The region is important for large herds of caribou and other large mammals, and for large nesting colonies of birds such as snow geese. The region is mostly intact, with 95% remaining intact.
The '''Canadian Low Arctic Tundra''' [[ecoregion]] covers a rolling landscape of shrubby tundra vegetation along the northern edge of the mainland [[Canada]] along the border of the [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Nunavut]], and a small portion in [[Quebec]] on the northeast coast of [[Hudson Bay]].<ref name="wwf">{{cite web|title=Low Arctic tundra|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/na1114|publisher=World Wildlife Federation|language=en|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ecomap">{{cite web|title=Map of Ecoregions 2017|url=https://ecoregions2017.appspot.com/|publisher=Resolve, using WWF data|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="dopa">{{cite web|title=Low Arctic tundra|url=https://dopa-explorer.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ecoregion/51114|publisher=Digital Observatory for Protected Areas|language=en|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name="eoe">{{cite web|title=Low Arctic tundra|url=https://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Low_Arctic_tundra|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Earth|language=en|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/canadian-low-arctic-tundra/</ref> The region is important for large herds of caribou and other large mammals, and for large nesting colonies of birds such as snow geese. The region is mostly intact, with 95% remaining intact.


== Location and description ==
== Location and description ==
The ecoregions stretches for {{convert|3100|km|mi}} across the northern tier of mainland [[Canada]]. The northwestern end is at the [[Mackenzie River]] Delta, stretching east across the plains north of [[Great Bear Lake]], the [[Nunavut]] mainland, [[Southampton Island]], the [[Ottawa Islands]], and a portion of northern [[Quebec]].<ref name="wwf"/> Mean elevation is {{convert|229|m|ft}}, with a high point of {{convert|854|m|ft}}.<ref name="dopa"/>
The ecoregions stretch for {{convert|3100|km|mi}} across the northern tier of mainland [[Canada]]. The northwestern end is at the [[Mackenzie River]] Delta, stretching east across the plains north of [[Great Bear Lake]], the [[Nunavut]] mainland, [[Southampton Island]], the [[Ottawa Islands]], and a portion of northern [[Quebec]].<ref name="wwf"/> Mean elevation is {{convert|229|m|ft}}, with a high point of {{convert|854|m|ft}}.<ref name="dopa"/>


Most of the terrain is flat or rolling lowlands on thin soil over the [[Precambrian]] [[granite]] bedrock, with many outcrops. A notable feature of the region is long, winding [[eskers]] of glacial gravel, some reaching 100 km in length.<ref name="wwf"/> Permafrost is continuous, except for some areas of discontinuous permafrost in the Ottawa Islands.
Most of the terrain is flat or rolling lowlands on thin soil over the [[Precambrian]] [[granite]] bedrock, with many outcrops. A notable feature of the region is long, winding [[eskers]] of glacial gravel, some reaching 100 km in length.<ref name="wwf"/> Permafrost is continuous, except for some areas of discontinuous permafrost in the Ottawa Islands.


== Climate ==
== Climate ==
The climate of the ecoregion is ''[[Subarctic climate|Subarctic climate, without dry season]]'' ([[Köppen climate classification]] [[Subarctic climate|Subartic climate (Dfc)]]). This climate is characterized by mild summers (only 1-3 months above {{convert|10|°C|1}}) and cold, snowy winters (coldest month below {{convert|-3|°C|1}}).<ref name="kop">{{cite web|author=Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006|title=World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated|url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pdf/Paper_2006.pdf|publisher=Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="kop-data">{{cite web|title=Dataset - Koppen climate classifications|url=https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/dataset/world-maps-k%C3%B6ppen-geiger-climate-classification|publisher=World Bank|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> Average precipitation ranges from 200 mm/year in the northwest to 500 mm/year in Quebec.<ref name="wwf"/>
The climate of the ecoregion is ''[[Subarctic climate|Subarctic climate, without dry season]]'' ([[Köppen climate classification]] [[Subarctic climate]] (Dfc)). This climate is characterized by mild summers (only 1-3 months above {{convert|10|°C|1}}) and cold, snowy winters (coldest month below {{convert|-3|°C|1}}).<ref>{{cite web|first1=M. |last1=Kottek |first2=J. |last2=Grieser |first3=C. |last3=Beck |first4=B. |last4=Rudolf |first5=F. |last5=Rubel |date=2006 |title=World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated|url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pdf/Paper_2006.pdf|publisher=Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="kop-data">{{cite web|title=Dataset - Koppen climate classifications|url=https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/dataset/world-maps-k%C3%B6ppen-geiger-climate-classification|publisher=World Bank|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> Average precipitation ranges from 200 mm/year in the northwest to 500 mm/year in Quebec.<ref name="wwf"/>


== Flora and fauna ==
== Flora and fauna ==
[[File:Arctic Cotton at Arviat, Hudson's Bay, Nunavut.jpg|thumb|260px|Lush expanse of [[Eriophorum|cottongrass]] near [[Arviat]], [[Nunavut]]]]
The ecoregion is a transition zone between the [[taiga]] forests to the south, and the treeless arctic [[tundra]] to the north. 50% of the territory is herbaceous cover, 18% moss and lichen, 6% shrubs, and about 1% tree cover in protected areas and along river courses.<ref name="dopa"/> The region can support limited subalpine forests of black spruce (''[[Picea mariana]]'', tamarack (''[[Larix laricina]]''), white spruce (''[[Picea glauca]]''), dwarf birch (''[[Betula]]'' spp), and willow (''[[Salix]]'' spp.)<ref name="eoe"/> There are extensive wetlands in the low areas.
The ecoregion is a transition zone between the [[taiga]] forests to the south, and the treeless arctic [[tundra]] to the north. 50% of the territory is herbaceous cover, 18% moss and lichen, 6% shrubs, and about 1% tree cover in protected areas and along river courses.<ref name="dopa"/> The region can support limited subalpine forests of black spruce (''[[Picea mariana]]'', tamarack (''[[Larix laricina]]''), white spruce (''[[Picea glauca]]''), dwarf birch (''[[Betula nana]]''), and willow (''[[Salix]]'' spp.)<ref name="eoe"/> There are extensive wetlands in the low areas.


Many mammal species are adapted to live in this environment. In the west there are herds of barren-ground caribou (''[[Rangifer tarandus]]'' ssp. arcticus), with collective total 1.5 million individuals. Woodland caribou are found in the east. Other notable mammals include polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on the coasts, grizzly bears (''[[Ursus arctos]]'') and black bear (''[[Ursus americanus]]'') in Quebec, and wolf (''[[Canis lupus]]''), moose (''[[Alces alces]]''), Arctic ground squirrel (''[[Urocitellus parryii]]''), and brown lemming (''[[Lemmus sibiricus]]'').<ref name="eoe"/>
Many mammal species are adapted to live in this environment. In the west there are herds of barren-ground caribou (''[[Rangifer tarandus]]'' ssp. arcticus), with collective total 1.5 million individuals. Woodland caribou are found in the east. Other notable mammals include polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on the coasts, grizzly bears (''[[Ursus arctos]]'') and black bear (''[[Ursus americanus]]'') in Quebec, and wolf (''[[Canis lupus]]''), moose (''[[Alces alces]]''), Arctic ground squirrel (''[[Urocitellus parryii]]''), and brown lemming (''[[Lemmus sibiricus]]'').<ref name="eoe"/>
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* [[Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[Tuktut Nogait National Park]]
* [[Tuktut Nogait National Park]]

==See also==
*[[List of ecoregions in Canada (WWF)]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category inline}}


[[Category:Nearctic ecoregions]]
[[Category:Nearctic ecoregions]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Canada]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Canada]]
[[Category:Tundra ecoregions]]

Latest revision as of 22:40, 9 March 2024

Canadian Low Arctic tundra
Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary
Ecoregion territory (in green)
Ecoregion territory (in green)
Ecology
RealmNearctic
BiomeTundra
Borders
List
Geography
Area798,399 km2 (308,264 sq mi)
CountryCanada
Province/Territory
Coordinates66°15′N 102°15′W / 66.25°N 102.25°W / 66.25; -102.25
Climate typePolar and subarctic

The Canadian Low Arctic Tundra ecoregion covers a rolling landscape of shrubby tundra vegetation along the northern edge of the mainland Canada along the border of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and a small portion in Quebec on the northeast coast of Hudson Bay.[1][2][3][4][5] The region is important for large herds of caribou and other large mammals, and for large nesting colonies of birds such as snow geese. The region is mostly intact, with 95% remaining intact.

Location and description[edit]

The ecoregions stretch for 3,100 kilometres (1,900 mi) across the northern tier of mainland Canada. The northwestern end is at the Mackenzie River Delta, stretching east across the plains north of Great Bear Lake, the Nunavut mainland, Southampton Island, the Ottawa Islands, and a portion of northern Quebec.[1] Mean elevation is 229 metres (751 ft), with a high point of 854 metres (2,802 ft).[3]

Most of the terrain is flat or rolling lowlands on thin soil over the Precambrian granite bedrock, with many outcrops. A notable feature of the region is long, winding eskers of glacial gravel, some reaching 100 km in length.[1] Permafrost is continuous, except for some areas of discontinuous permafrost in the Ottawa Islands.

Climate[edit]

The climate of the ecoregion is Subarctic climate, without dry season (Köppen climate classification Subarctic climate (Dfc)). This climate is characterized by mild summers (only 1-3 months above 10 °C (50.0 °F)) and cold, snowy winters (coldest month below −3 °C (26.6 °F)).[6][7] Average precipitation ranges from 200 mm/year in the northwest to 500 mm/year in Quebec.[1]

Flora and fauna[edit]

Lush expanse of cottongrass near Arviat, Nunavut

The ecoregion is a transition zone between the taiga forests to the south, and the treeless arctic tundra to the north. 50% of the territory is herbaceous cover, 18% moss and lichen, 6% shrubs, and about 1% tree cover in protected areas and along river courses.[3] The region can support limited subalpine forests of black spruce (Picea mariana, tamarack (Larix laricina), white spruce (Picea glauca), dwarf birch (Betula nana), and willow (Salix spp.)[4] There are extensive wetlands in the low areas.

Many mammal species are adapted to live in this environment. In the west there are herds of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus ssp. arcticus), with collective total 1.5 million individuals. Woodland caribou are found in the east. Other notable mammals include polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on the coasts, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and black bear (Ursus americanus) in Quebec, and wolf (Canis lupus), moose (Alces alces), Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii), and brown lemming (Lemmus sibiricus).[4]

The region is important for large nesting colonies of snow geese (Anser caerulescens), Ross's goose (Anser rossii) and many other migratory birds.[1]

Protected areas[edit]

Over 17% of the ecoregion is officially protected.[3] These protected areas include:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Low Arctic tundra". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d "Low Arctic tundra". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Low Arctic tundra". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  5. ^ https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/canadian-low-arctic-tundra/
  6. ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Low_Arctic_tundra&oldid=1212862549"