Phytogeocoenoses of a coastal lowland ecosystem, Devon island, N.W.T. ...

• Main Author: Barrett, Paul Edward
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2011
• Subjects: Arctic; Devon Island; polar desert
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0101177; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0101177

During the summer periods of 1967-1969 field studies were undertaken at a Coastal Lowland ecosystem, on the north coast of Devon Island, N.W.T. Canada (75° 41’ N; 84° 33’ W). The study area is a naturally delineated strand flat roughly sixteen square miles in size. It is segregated from the Interior regions of the Island by a vertical escarpment, which rises sharply from the eastern border of the lowland to an elevation of approximately 1000 feet. The remaining borders are surrounded by the waters of Jones Sound. Such lowland ecosystems appear markedly distinct from the more extensive Inland plateau regions. Botanically they are relatively very rich. Intensive fluvio-glaclal activity combined with a diversity of parent rock provides a number of distinctive environments for plant colonization. Ninety-three species of vascular plants have been collected within this limited area, and closed stands of vegetation are common. This Is In sharp contrast to most of the Canadian high arctic where polar desert ...