Great Plain of the Koukdjuak facts for kids
The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is a huge, flat area in the Canadian Arctic. You can find it in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut. This plain is named after the Koukdjuak River. It's located on the western side of Baffin Island, near the southeastern coast of Foxe Basin. The plain stretches from Cory Bay to Hantzsch Bay and goes far inland.
Geography of the Plain
This large plain is about 190 kilometers (120 miles) long. It is also between 95 and 145 kilometers (60 to 90 miles) wide. The total area of the plain is about 15,778 square kilometers.
The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is a very flat area. It is often wet, like a swampy lowland. Part of it is a tidal zone, which means it's covered by ocean water at high tide. This tidal area can reach up to 15 kilometers (9 miles) inland.
The edges of the plain have raised beach ridges. These are old sand and gravel lines left by the sea. They can be found 25 to 80 kilometers (15 to 50 miles) inland. To the south, you can see granite outcrops, which are rocky areas sticking out of the ground.
The land here is covered by tundra, which is a type of treeless plain. The soil is mostly clay, and underneath are layers of limestone and shale bedrock.
Amazing Wildlife and Birds
The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is very important for animals. Many migratory birds and other wildlife live here. It's especially famous for the large herds of Barren-ground caribou that cross it.
This plain is home to the biggest goose colony in the world! Many different types of geese and ducks use this area as a breeding ground. These include lesser snow geese, Canada geese, long-tailed ducks, king eiders, common eiders, and Atlantic brant.
You can also find many shorebirds here, like the red phalarope. Because of its importance to birds, the plain is recognized as an Important Bird Area. It's also a special place called an International Biological Program designated site and a Key Habitat Site.
Protecting This Special Place
The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is so important that parts of it are protected. This helps keep the animals and their homes safe.
- Dewey Soper Migratory Bird Sanctuary: This is a federal sanctuary. It means the Canadian government protects this area especially for migratory birds.
- Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Significance): This is an international recognition. It means the plain is a very important wetland for the whole world.
- Bowman Bay Wildlife Sanctuary: This is another protected area for wildlife within the plain.
