Southern Arctic Ecozone (CEC)
Southern Arctic | |
---|---|
Arctic tundra in Ivvavik National Park, Yukon | |
Ecology | |
Borders | List |
Geography | |
Area | 839,760 km2 (324,230 sq mi) |
Country | Canada |
Provinces | |
Climate type | Polar and subarctic |
The Southern Arctic Ecozone, as defined by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), is a Canadian terrestrial ecozone which spans the northern coast of mainland Northwest Territories, most of northern mainland Nunavut excepting the northeast peninsula, and a portion of northwestern Quebec. Its two constituent territories are interrupted by Hudson Bay. The ecozone can also be described as including the northernmost part of the Interior Plains of Western Canada and parts of the Canadian Shield located on both sides of northern Hudson Bay.
It is sparsely populated, with less than 10,000 inhabitants in 17 major settlements, the largest of which is Rankin Inlet. About 80% of the population is Inuit.[1]
Geography
Its southern boundary demarcates the
Permafrost occurs in a continuous, permanent sheet throughout the zone,[3] which consists primarily of rollings plains west of the Shield area.[4] Just a few centimetres from the surface in some parts, it prevents water from penetrating deep into the soil, hence pooling and creating waterlogged soil that freezes regularly.[2] Cyclic freezing and thawing of the soils results in irregular features throughout the terrain, including hummocks and polygonal shapes.
The land is characterised by "sprawling
Ecoprovinces
This ecozone can be further subdivided into three ecoprovinces:[6]
Climate
This ecozone experiences short summers which are cool and moist, with mean July temperatures of about 10 °C.[4] Winters are long, dark and bitterly cold, with average January mean temperatures of -30 °C.[4] The area in Quebec is relatively warmer, with mean January temperatures of -18 °C.[3]
Annual
Conservation
A number of protected areas have been established to protect representative and/or significant portions of this ecozone. These include Ivvavik National Park, Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, Tuktut Nogait National Park, and Pingo Canadian Landmark.[4]
References
- ^ "A National Ecological Framework for Canada". Agriculture Canada, Environment Canada. 1996. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- ^ a b c d "Landforms and Climate of the Southern Arctic Ecozone". Southern Arctic Ecozone. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on July 3, 2004. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ a b Bernhardt, Torsten. "Southern Arctic". Canada's Ecozones, Canadian Biodiversity project. McGill University, Redpath Museum. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ a b c d e "Southern Arctic Ecozone". Parks Canada. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Treeless North". Southern Arctic Ecozone. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on July 18, 2006. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ Secretariat, Treasury Board of Canada. "National Ecological Framework for Canada - Open Government Portal". open.canada.ca. Retrieved 2020-11-07.