An Arctic Forest in the Tundra of Northern Ungava, Quebec

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Authors: Maycock, P.F., Matthews, B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1966
• Subjects: Watts; Lac; region; Québec; Arctic; Baie Déception; Déception; Watts Lake; Arctique*; permafrost; Subarctic; toundra; Tundra
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/66470

A willow thicket dominated by Salix planifolia and S. alaxensis, is located in a 1500-ft-deep glaciated valley at the southwest end of Watts Lake, 32 mi south of Deception Bay. This "forest" forms a solid green canopy at 12 ft and contains some trees of almost 16 ft height. It grows in deep, well-drained soils (here named arctic thicket type) developed on poorly sorted sand, gravel, pebbles and cobbles, mainly of schist. A flora of 67 species of vascular plants (here listed) have been found in the area, all but two of which are arctic species. The two exceptions are wide-ranging boreal and subarctic species. For so many arctic species to be capable of growing in the shaded environment is of interest. Factors contributing to the existence of such "forests", temperatures, moisture, deep permafrost, snow cover, wind and topography affording protection, are discussed. Une “Forêt arctique” dans la toundra du nord de l'Ungava, Province de Québec. On a découvert, dans une vallée fluviale, à 32 milles au sud-est de la baie Déception (61°31'N. 74°5'O.) dans le nord de l'Ungava, un vaste peuplement de saules en taillis comprenant du Salix de taille arborescente. Ce peuplement semblait suffisamment rare pour justifier une étude. Des recherches écologiques déterminèrent les facteurs de composition et de milieu. Les auteurs examinent le développement et la persistance de ce peuplement par rapport au climat actuel et à l'état présent des connaissances sur l'histoire glaciaire de la région.