Arctic coastal tundra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arctic coastal tundra |
|
|---|---|
Tundra vegetation on Yukon's coastal plain
at the Firth River delta |
|
109. Arctic Coastal Tundra
|
|
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Nearctic |
| Biome | Tundra |
| Borders | Arctic foothills tundra, Low Arctic tundra, Middle Arctic tundra and Northwest Territories taiga |
| Animals | caribou, bear, wolf, muskox, snow goose, brant goose, polar bear, fox, lemming, ermine, seal, fish |
| Bird species | 74 |
| Mammal species | 31 |
| Geography | |
| Area | 98,200 km2 (37,900 sq mi) |
| Countries | United States and Canada |
| States | Alaska, Northwest Territories and Yukon |
| Elevation | 0–150 metres (0–492 ft) |
| Geology | coastal plain |
| Rivers | the Mackenzie River delta |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Relatively Stable/Intact |
| Global 200 | Yes |
| Habitat loss | 0% |
| Protected | 49.8% |
The Arctic coastal tundra is a special natural area. It is found in the far north of North America. This region is very important for many wild animals. They come here to breed and raise their young.
Contents
What is the Arctic Coastal Tundra?
This unique area is located along the northern coast of Alaska. It also stretches into Canada. You can find it on the east coast of Banks Island. It includes the plains near the Anderson River and Horton River. The Tuktoyaktuk coast in the Northwest Territories is also part of it.
The Land and Climate
The land here is mostly flat and low. It can be quite wet and boggy. Underneath the surface, the soil is frozen solid. This frozen ground is called permafrost. In the summer, some of the ice in the permafrost melts. This creates many small "thaw lakes" called thermokarst lakes. You might also see interesting ice features. These include ice wedges and large mounds of soil and ice called pingos.
The climate is very cold, like a true Arctic region. Plants can only grow for a short time. This growing season is usually from late June through August. Even then, it can still get frosty. This area is generally wetter than other tundra regions nearby.
Plants of the Tundra
The wet environment helps certain plants grow well. You will find many sedges and grasses. There are also lots of mosses and lichens. Right along the coast, you can see thick peat bogs.
In slightly warmer parts, like the Mackenzie River delta and the Yukon coast, some small trees grow. These include dwarf birch and willows. You might also spot northern Labrador tea (Dryas) and alders.
Animals of the Tundra
This region is a vital home for many animals. It is especially important for caribou. Four large herds of caribou come here to have their babies. These are the Western Arctic, Teshekpuk, Central Arctic, and Porcupine caribou herds.
Mammals
Another important animal is the muskox. They live on Banks Island and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Other mammals you might see include:
- Lemmings
- Polar bears
- Walruses
- Beluga whales
- Snowshoe hares and Arctic hares
- Red foxes
- Grey wolfs
- Arctic ground squirrels
- Various types of seals
Birds
The coast is a busy place for many waterbirds. They come here to breed. Some of these birds are:
Important bird areas include the Colville River delta. Teshekpuk Lake and Kasegaluk Lagoon are also key spots. Kasegaluk Lagoon is a breeding ground for the brant goose. Snowy owls are also found here. They hunt waterbirds and lemmings.
Fish
The waters of this region are home to fish like the Arctic char.
Protecting the Tundra
Most of the natural habitat in this area is still untouched. About 90% of it remains wild. However, some parts are changing. Areas around Utqiaġvik, Alaska and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska are growing. These developments are expanding along the coast.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a major protected area here. It helps keep the land safe for animals and plants. There are also efforts to manage human activities. This helps protect this special Arctic environment for the future.
See also
In Spanish: Tundra costera del Ártico para niños
