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Arctic coastal tundra (WWF ecoregion NA1103)

Tundra ponds near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
Tundra ponds near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (c) 2005 Natasha Sherman


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 a wide variety of wildlife and is an important breeding and calving ground for many species.  In particular, major caribou herds migrate here to calve and many species of birds breed here.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 4 (relatively stable)
Over 90% of habitat remains intact.  The main threat is associated with oil development at Prudhoe Bay and possible future development in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Roads and pipelines may disrupt migration patterns.*

 

Some views from the ecoregion


Aerial photo of tundra, north slope, Alaska  (c) 2005 Natasha Sherman  hires


tussocks (left) and vegetation (right), north slope, Alaska  (c) 2005 Natasha Sherman  hires hires


elevated petroleum pipelines may disrupt migration of large mammals (left), oil development results in permanent destruction of habitat (right) Kuparick, Alaska  (c) 2005 Natasha Sherman  hires hires

* 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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