A small, and frequently overlooked, ecozone in Canada is also one of the most important. The Southern Arctic ecozone is home to various uncommon species of animals and plants, and has some unique landforms and climatic conditions. It has a very low population and GDP. Humans have done very little to change this ecozone from its natural state, but in the future, things may change.

Characteristics of natural systems

The southern arctic ecozone is fairly small compared to others, but is much larger than the ecozone we inhabit, the mixed wood plains. (Shown in Fig 1) It is located between the Ungava Bay in Quebec to the east, and the Richardson Mountains in the west. Hudson Bay divides the Southern Arctic in the two parts, east and west, with the west consisting of 80% of the ecozone’s total land area of 776 000 km2. The climate and weather conditions will vary, depending on your location.

(Fig 1)(Pic found here)

The climate is continental, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers with long periods of daylight. The Southern Arctic is dry, with only 200-500 mm of precipitation annually. Depending on your location, the mean annual temperature ranges from – 11 to –7 degrees Celsius. The mean summer temperature ranges from 4 to 6 degrees Celsius, but again varies with your location. Mean winter temperatures, again varied, range from –28 to –17.5 degrees Celsius. The short growing season, only approximately 80 days, makes it possible for only the most resilient vegetation to live in such a harsh environment.

The Southern Arctic ecozone has the most vegetative cover of all the arctic ecozones, and is the transitional area between the Taiga Forests and the Northern Arctic ecozones to the south and north, respectively. The vegetation consists of typical tundra growth, mostly dwarf shrubs and trees, getting smaller the further north you go. Some of the species represented in this ecozone are Dwarf Birch (Shown in Fig 2), Willow, and Heath species mixed with many lichens and herb species. Major river valleys can support small stands of dwarf spruce trees. Most wetlands contain sedge-moss vegetation. These plants must all adapt to the harsh climate, with its cold, dry climate, and very short growing season. The same applies to the various animal species that make their homes here.

(Fig 2)(Pic found here)

A surprisingly wide variety of animal species inhabit this region, even though they must survive in the difficult conditions they are faced with. The Southern Arctic is the major summer range for the largest Canadian caribou herds (Shown in Fig 3), and is also their major calving ground. Other major mammal species include the Grizzly Bear, Black Bear (in Quebec), Polar Bear (in coastal regions), Wolf, Moose, Arctic Ground Squirrel, Brown Lemming, Walrus (in marine regions), Beluga Whales (in marine areas), and Narwhals (in marine regions). This ecozone is also a major breeding and nesting ground for many species of migratory birds, including Yellow Billed Loon, Arctic Loon, Red-Throated Loon, Whistling Swan, Snow Goose, Old Squaw, Gyrfalcon, Willow Ptarmigans, Rock Ptarmigan, Northern Phalarope, Parasitic Jaeger, Snow Owl, Hoary Redpoll, and Snowy Bunting. All these species must adapt to the same harsh conditions as plants must adapt to, but also must acclimatize themselves to the lack of nutritious vegetation. Most animals have no trouble finding water, as the landscape lends itself well to the formation and maintenance of lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands.

(Fig 3)(Pic found here)

In the Southern Arctic, most of the landscape consists of plains and gently rolling hills overtop of the Canadian Shield. There are large exposures of Precambrian granitic bedrock, and this ecozone is mostly glaciated, except for a small region west of the Fifth River. Much of the landscape consists of bare rocks, but where there is soil, it is on top of permafrost for most of the year. In the summer, when much of the snow and ice melts, it becomes very wet or moist. There is a great abundance of water, due to the many lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands in the Southern Arctic. This is because of the nearness to the coast, and the continual thawing of the permafrost and surface snow. This landscape, although not ideal for human habitation, still supports a small population.

Characteristics of Human Systems

The Southern Arctic ecozone is home to approximately 10 000 people, 80% of which are Inuit. There is a population density of 1.3 people per Km2. This a very small population, especially compared to the 14 016 000 humans populating the mixed wood plains. These people are concentrated in 17 main communities, including Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, and Coppermine in the west; Chesterfield Inlet, Rinkin Inlet, and Eskimo Point on the coast of Hudson Bay; and Kangirsuk on Ungava Bay. The community with the highest population if Rinkin Inlet, with a population of 1706. The population is so low because the land is barren and cold, and offers very difficult living conditions. There are also not many employment opportunities, even though there are several economic activities in the Southern Arctic.

The Southern Arctic economy is based on hunting, trapping, fishing, mineral development, construction, and government services. There is a low employment rate, and a very low GDP of $0.15 billion. The environmental conditions contribute to the low GDP, and although there are several economic activities and a low population, it is not expected to rise any time soon.

Interactions Between Human and Natural Systems

Interactions between the two systems have minimally affected this ecozone. There has not been extensive farming, and the water systems are almost completely unmodified. Almost all the natural vegetative cover has been left intact, and animal habitats are mostly unharmed. Humans have drained almost none of the wetlands, and there has been little damage caused by sewage runoff. Almost no erosion has occurred as a result of these interactions. The only problems currently posed by humans and nature interacting is the over hunting that is putting some species at risk, and the effects of pesticides from southern Canada travelling north. The interaction of humans with nature is not always detrimental, however. The two systems also depend on each other.

The dependency of one system upon the other is an essential part of life in the Southern Arctic. The population depends on plants and animals for food, and the animals depend on the humans to provide them with undeveloped areas to live in. Hunters also cull the animal population, ensuring only the strongest survive and produce young. The interactions between the two systems have so far not had many damaging affects on the ecozone, but there is no guarantee of this continuing.

Predictions About the Future Interactions Between the Human and Natural Systems

In the future, we will most likely begin to see harm come to the Southern Arctic. Some of the land will probably be developed as the population increases, and this region will eventually become more densely populated. Animal and plant species will likely become extinct or endangered due to over hunting and an increase in pollution. In the future, the human population will probably become less dependent on the natural systems, so they will no doubt begin caring less for them, and begin to damage them.

The Southern Arctic is a unique and very important part of Canada. As long as humans are careful, it will most likely stay a safe haven for the many animals, plants, and humans who populate the region. Overall, the Southern Arctic is essential to Canada, and is probably one of the only regions still mostly in its natural state.

WORKS CITED

“bcadventure.com”, retrieve 9 Feb 2002

Clark, Bruce W. Making Connections: Canada’s Geography. Scarborough, Ontario; Prentice Hall Ginn Canada, 1999

Kress, Henrietta. “Plant Pictures By Latin Name”, retrieved 9 February 2002