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INTRODUCTION TO THE ARCTIC
The Canadian Arctic ecozone manifests
some of the nation's many climatic and environmental extremes.
The Arctic is characterized by treeless tundra, carpeted
with low-lying vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and
dwarf shrubs.
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The region's marine ecozones — the Arctic and the Arctic
Archipelago, including Hudson and James bays are as vast
and complex as the terrestrial ecozones. Given the immensity
of this region, few generalizations can be made about
them that are totally valid. Yet, one thing is sure: the
environment of these ecozones is fragile, slow to change,
and easy to disturb. In earlier times, Europeans hunted
for whales, seals, and furs: today, developers search
for minerals, gas and oil in a rich, but vulnerable environment.
Politically, these regions encompass Canada's most sparsely
populated regions: Nunavut, the Northwest Territories,
the Yukon's costal strip, and the northern parts of Quebec
and Newfoundland and Labrador. The indigenous people who
have long survived here are now reasserting control over
their traditional domain.
Ecozone Overview:
Arctic Cordillera
Landforms: Canada's most mountainous region outside the
Rockies. Ice caps, glaciers, deep fjords
Climate: Very cold, dry, and windy
Vegetation: Arctic flowers and some ground-hugging shrubs
flourish in the southern areas
Wildlife: Arctic hair, northern fulmar
Resources and industries: Hunting, tourism
Northern Arctic
Landforms: Barren plains, some rocky outcrops
Climate: Cold and dry, with September-to-June snow cover
Vegetation: Herb-lichen tundra
Wildlife: Peary caribou, musk ox, red-throated loon, greater
snow goose
Resources and industries: Hunting, mining
Southern Arctic
Landforms: Plains, hills, and cold, clear lakes
Climate: Cold, dry; continuous permafrost
Vegetation: Shrublands, wet sedge meadows
Wildlife: Barren-ground caribou, wolf, arctic fox, arctic
loon, snowy owl
Resources and industries: Hunting, trapping, tourism,
mineral development
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