Northern Arctic

The Northern Arctic 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, and it is adjacent to the mainland Southern Arctic zone.

Sparsely populated, it is home to 15,000 inhabitants, approximately 80% of whom are Inuit. The largest settlement is Iqaluit.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] The cold winters are very dark, typically having no daylight for weeks or even months north of the Arctic Circle.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]

Geography

Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rock forms the western portion of the ecozone, whereas Precambrian granite is the dominant feature in the east.Cite web
url=http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/ecozones/northernarctic/northernarctic.htm
title=Northern Arctic
work=Canada's Ecozones, Canadian Biodiversity project
last=Bernhardt
first=Torsten
publisher=McGill University, Redpath Museum
accessdate=2008-02-07] Broad flat plains are common on the coastlines, and extend inland up to 10 km in some parts.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] In the east, plateaus and rocky hills merge into the foothills of the Arctic Cordillera. The west is characterised by glacial deposits and "frost-shattered limestone" 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. 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:Cite web
url=http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/apprendre-learn/prof/itm2-crp-trc/htm/ecozone_e.asp
title=Terrestrial Ecozones of Canada
work=Teacher Resource Centre
publisher=Parks Canada
accessdate=2008-02-13]

*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. 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.

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.

The northern waters are permanently frozen, but coastal areas in the south may open in the summer, though numerous large ice floes persist.

References