Northern Arctic

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Ecoregion Data

Ecoregion Level 2

2.1 - Northern Arctic
Region
USA Canada Alaska
Parent Ecoregions
Tundra
Child Ecoregions
Arctic Coastal Plain Arctic Foothills Subarctic Coastal Plains Seward Peninsula Bristol Bay–Nushagak Lowlands Aleutian Islands
Geography
High Arctic islands coastal plains rocky shores and low plateaus
Hydrography
High Arctic islands coastal plains rocky shores and low plateaus

Description

    High-latitude tundra region characterized by harsh cold climate, low biological productivity, sparse vegetation (lichens, mosses, dwarf shrubs), permafrost and limited human population; important breeding and summering grounds for migratory birds and marine mammals.

Physical Setting

    Low-relief to rolling Arctic coastal landscapes and islands, often with permafrost, patterned ground, tundra soils and limited tree growth; includes coastal plains and offshore island terrain in the high Arctic.

Biological Setting

    Sparse tundra vegetation dominated by lichens, bryophytes, sedges and low shrubs; seasonally important breeding habitat for migratory waterfowl and marine mammals; relatively low species richness but important Arctic-specialist fauna.

Climate

    Very cold, long winters and short cool summers; strong seasonality of daylight; permafrost present; low annual precipitation but limited evapotranspiration leading to wet tundra/backed by sea ice dynamics.