Northern Arctic Ecozone (CEC): Difference between revisions
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The '''Northern Arctic Ecozone''' is a [[Canada|Canadian]] terrestrial [[Ecozones of Canada|ecozone]] which includes most of the [[Canadian Arctic Archipelago]], the northeast peninsula of [[Nunavut]], and the northwestern tip of [[Quebec]]. Its marine borders are with the [[Arctic Archipelago Marine Ecozone (CEC)|Arctic Archipelago Marine Ecozone]], and it is adjacent to the mainland [[Southern Arctic Ecozone (CEC)|Southern Arctic Ecozone]]. |
The '''Northern Arctic Ecozone''' is a [[Canada|Canadian]] terrestrial [[Ecozones of Canada|ecozone]] which includes most of the [[Canadian Arctic Archipelago]], the northeast peninsula of [[Nunavut]], and the northwestern tip of [[Quebec]]. Its marine borders are with the [[Arctic Archipelago Marine Ecozone (CEC)|Arctic Archipelago Marine Ecozone]], and it is adjacent to the mainland [[Southern Arctic Ecozone (CEC)|Southern Arctic Ecozone]]. |
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Sparsely populated, it is home to 15,000 inhabitants, approximately 80% of whom are [[Inuit]]. The largest settlement is [[Iqaluit]].<ref name="people">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/human.cfm |title=Human Activities in the Northern Arctic Ecozone |work=Southern Arctic Ecozone |publisher=[[Environment Canada]] |accessdate=2008-02-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20040703052139/http://www.ec.gc.ca:80/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/human.cfm |archivedate=July 3, 2004 }}</ref> The cold winters are very dark, typically having no daylight for weeks or even months north of the [[Arctic Circle]].<ref name="overview">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/default.cfm |title="Far North" |work=Southern Arctic Ecozone |publisher=Environment Canada |accessdate=2008-02-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20061212214247/http://www.ec.gc.ca:80/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/default.cfm |archivedate=December 12, 2006 }}</ref> |
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Sparsely populated, it is home to 15,000 inhabitants, approximately 80% of whom are [[Inuit]]. The largest settlement is [[Iqaluit]].<ref name="people">{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/human.cfm |
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|title=Human Activities in the Northern Arctic Ecozone |
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|work=Southern Arctic Ecozone |
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|publisher=[[Environment Canada]] |
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|accessdate=2008-02-07}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The cold winters are very dark, typically having no daylight for weeks or even months north of the [[Arctic Circle]].<ref name="overview">{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/default.cfm |
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|title="Far North" |
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|work=Southern Arctic Ecozone |
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|publisher=Environment Canada |
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|accessdate=2008-02-07}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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|first=Torsten |
|first=Torsten |
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|publisher=[[McGill University]], Redpath Museum |
|publisher=[[McGill University]], Redpath Museum |
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|accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> Broad flat plains are common on the coastlines, and extend inland up to {{convert|10|km|mi|0}} in some parts.<ref name="landforms">{{Cite web |
|accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> Broad flat plains are common on the coastlines, and extend inland up to {{convert|10|km|mi|0}} in some parts.<ref name="landforms">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/land.cfm |title=Landforms and Climate of the Northern Arctic Ecozone |work=Southern Arctic Ecozone |publisher=Environment Canada |accessdate=2008-02-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20040703050201/http://www.ec.gc.ca:80/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/land.cfm |archivedate=July 3, 2004 }}</ref> In the east, plateaus and rocky hills merge into the foothills of the [[Arctic Cordillera]].<ref name="bernhardt" /> The west is characterised by glacial deposits and "frost-shattered limestone"<ref name="landforms" /> and sandstone. |
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|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/na/land.cfm |
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|title=Landforms and Climate of the Northern Arctic Ecozone |
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|work=Southern Arctic Ecozone |
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|publisher=Environment Canada |
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|accessdate=2008-02-07}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In the east, plateaus and rocky hills merge into the foothills of the [[Arctic Cordillera]].<ref name="bernhardt" /> The west is characterised by glacial deposits and "frost-shattered limestone"<ref name="landforms" /> and sandstone. |
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A permanent layer of [[permafrost]] may be up to one kilometre thick, and lies under a shallow stratum of waterlogged active soils that cyclically freeze and thaw, creating [[patterned ground]].<ref name="landforms" /> Its features are similar to the [[badland]]s found in the southwestern [[United States]]. |
A permanent layer of [[permafrost]] may be up to one kilometre thick, and lies under a shallow stratum of waterlogged active soils that cyclically freeze and thaw, creating [[patterned ground]].<ref name="landforms" /> Its features are similar to the [[badland]]s found in the southwestern [[United States]]. |
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Revision as of 15:24, 23 February 2016
The Northern Arctic Ecozone is a Canadian terrestrial ecozone which includes most of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the northeast peninsula of Nunavut, and the northwestern tip of Quebec. Its marine borders are with the Arctic Archipelago Marine Ecozone, and it is adjacent to the mainland Southern Arctic Ecozone.
Sparsely populated, it is home to 15,000 inhabitants, approximately 80% of whom are Inuit. The largest settlement is Iqaluit.[1] The cold winters are very dark, typically having no daylight for weeks or even months north of the Arctic Circle.[2]
Geography
Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rock forms the western portion of the ecozone, whereas Precambrian granite is the dominant feature in the east.[3] Broad flat plains are common on the coastlines, and extend inland up to 10 kilometres (6 mi) in some parts.[4] In the east, plateaus and rocky hills merge into the foothills of the Arctic Cordillera.[3] The west is characterised by glacial deposits and "frost-shattered limestone"[4] and sandstone.
A permanent layer of permafrost may be up to one kilometre thick, and lies under a shallow stratum of waterlogged active soils that cyclically freeze and thaw, creating patterned ground.[4] Its features are similar to the badlands found in the southwestern United States.
Protected areas
Within this ecozone are a number of protected areas. These include:[5]
- Aulavik National Park
- Auyuittuq National Park
- Sirmilik National Park
- Quttinirpaaq National Park
- Ukkusiksalik National Park
Climate
The region is extremely cold, with temperatures rising above the freezing point only in July and August. Short, cold summers give way to bitterly cold, dark winters with mean January temperatures less than -30ºC in the northern islands.[4] Little precipitation falls here, with a typical annual total of 250 mm, but may exceed 500 mm in its extreme southeastern extent. Snowfall may occur at any time, and snow cover persists from September to June.[4]
Despite the low precipitation, the permafrost's ability to prevent water from draining through the soil, and the abundant snow and ice cover throughout the zone ensure that the climate is usually moist.[4]
The northern waters are permanently frozen, but coastal areas in the south may open in the summer, though numerous large ice floes persist.[3]
References
- ^ "Human Activities in the Northern Arctic Ecozone". Southern Arctic Ecozone. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on July 3, 2004. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ ""Far North"". Southern Arctic Ecozone. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on December 12, 2006. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Bernhardt, Torsten. "Northern Arctic". Canada's Ecozones, Canadian Biodiversity project. McGill University, Redpath Museum. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ a b c d e f "Landforms and Climate of the Northern Arctic Ecozone". Southern Arctic Ecozone. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on July 3, 2004. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Terrestrial Ecozones of Canada". Teacher Resource Centre. Parks Canada. Retrieved 2008-02-13.