Pacific Coastal Mountain icefields and tundra

Pacific Coastal Mountain icefields and tundra is a tundra ecoregion in Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon, as defined by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) categorization system.

Pacific Coastal Mountain Icefields and Tundra
Icefields and tundra of Icy Bay, Alaska
Ecology
RealmNearctic
BiomeTundra
Borders
Bird species162 [1]
Mammal species50 [1]
Geography
Area106,708 km2 (41,200 sq mi)
CountriesUnited States and Canada
States/ProvincesAlaska, British Columbia and Yukon
Conservation
Conservation statusRelatively Stable/Intact
Habitat loss0%[1]
Protected67.8%[1]

Setting

This ecoregion occupies the rugged slopes of the Coast Ranges, stretching from the Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska to Portland Inlet in British Columbia. Elevations range from sea level to over 4,500 m (14,800 ft). Glaciers and subpolar icefields are the dominant physiographic influences of this ecoregion.[2]

Climate

At lower elevations this ecoregion has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc ) with cool summers and cold winters. At higher elevations this ecoregion has a tundra climate (Köppen ET ) with cold summers and very cold winters. Annual precipitation ranges from about 2,000 mm (79 in) to over 7,000 mm (280 in), the majority of which falls as snow. The mean annual temperature is -0.5°C (31.1°F), with an average summer temperature of 10°C (50°F) and an average winter temperature of -11.5°C (11.3°F).[2]

Ecology

Flora

Much of the ecoregion at lies beneath glaciers and icefields and is largely devoid of vegetation. Where the ground is vegetated, communities are dominated by dwarf and low shrub communities, including mountain heath and ericaceous shrubs. Subalpine forests of alpine fir, mountain hemlock, and Sitka spruce dominate middle elevations. Forests of western hemlock, subalpine fir and Sitka spruce dominate lower elevations. Forests on the Kenai Peninsula represent a transitional forest type between coastal temperate rainforests characteristic of coastal areas and boreal forest and taiga communities characteristic of interior Alaska.[2]

Fauna

Mammals found throughout the lower to middle elevations of this ecoregion include American black bear, grizzly bear, moose, wolf, black-tailed deer, mountain goat, otter, wolverine, and marmot. Birds inhabiting this ecoregion include arctic tern, spruce grouse, ptarmigan, and gull.[3][2]

The isthmus of the Kenai Peninsula holds special ecological interest as region where species from differing ecoregions intermix.[2]

Threats and preservation

Human-caused climate change has dramatically increased the rate of glacial retreat within this ecoregion, even with the counterbalance of naturally heavy snowfall. Threats to wildlife include the loss of land area to sea-level rise, scouring of river beds by heavy snowmelt, saltwater intrusion into bodies of freshwater, and pollinator decline.[4] Other threats include logging of old-growth forests and mining.

Protected areas

Some of the largest protected areas of this ecoregion include:

See also

References
  1. "The Atlas of Global Conservation". maps.tnc.org. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  2. "Pacific Coastal Mountain icefields and tundra". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  3. Environment, Ministry of. "Atlin/Áa Tlein Téi x'i Provincial Park - BC Parks". bcparks.ca. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  4. Park, Mailing Address: Glacier Bay National; Gustavus, Preserve PO Box 140; Us, AK 99826 Phone:697-2230 Contact. "Climate Change - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
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