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Aleutian Islands tundra (WWF ecoregion NA1102)


Makushin Volcano and Broad Bay Valley, Unalaska Island, Alaska (c) 2005 Abi Woodbridge

Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 1 (globally outstanding)
This ecoregion supports enormous colonies of seabirds and a number of endemic plant species.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 5 (relatively intact)
Although the islands are naturally fragmented, much of the habitat is intact.  Feral animals are a threat to bird colonies and result in habitat degradation.  Overfishing may be resulting in decline in seabird colonies*

Characteristic species*
 

Empetrum nigrum (crowberry)

Salix spp. (willows)

Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)

 

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 337-340.

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