Great Plain of the Koukdjuak

The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut within the Canadian Arctic. It is the namesake of the Koukdjuak River in western Baffin Island on the southeastern coast of Foxe Basin. It stretches from Cory Bay to Hantzsch Bay, and then inland.[1]

Great Koukdjuak Plains and Nettilling Lake (2002)

Geography

The plain is about 120 mi (190 km) long, 60–90 mi (97–145 km) wide[2] and has an area of 15,777.98 km2 (6,091.91 sq mi).[3] It is characterized as a broad, flat, water-logged lowland with a tidal zone that may extend as far as 15 km (9.3 mi) inland.[3] The Plain's boundaries include raised beach ridges 25–80 km (16–50 mi) inland and granite outcrops to the south. Its tundra covers clay soils, limestone and shale bedrock.[3]

Fauna

It is notable for migratory bird and wildlife (Barren-ground caribou crossing) habitat. The plain supports the largest goose colony in the world. It is a breeding ground or habitat for lesser snow geese, Canada geese, oldsquaw, king eider, common eider, and Atlantic brant. It is a natural habitat for shorebirds, such as the red phalarope.[3] It is classified as an Important Bird Area, an International Biological Program designated site and a Key Habitat Site.[3]

Conservation status

References
  1. Canadian Hydrographic Service (1978). Sailing directions: Arctic Canada. 1. Canadian Government Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 0-660-11230-2.
  2. "Koukdjuak, Great Plain of the". The Columbia Gazetteer of North America. 2000. Archived from the original on December 7, 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  3. "Great Plain of the Koukdjuak". IBA Canada. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2008-01-30.

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