Coordinates: 66°25′00″N 72°50′00″W / 66.41667°N 72.83333°W / 66.41667; -72.83333 (Great Plain of the Koukdjuak)[1]

Great Plain of the Koukdjuak

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Great Koukdjuak Plains and Nettilling Lake (2002)

The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut within the Canadian Arctic.[1] It is the namesake of the Koukdjuak River in western Baffin Island on the southeastern coast of Foxe Basin. It stretches from Cory Bay to Hantzsch Bay, and then inland.[2]

Geography

The plain is about 120 mi (190 km) long, 60–90 mi (97–145 km) wide[3] and has an area of 15,777.98 km2 (6,091.91 sq mi).[4] It is characterized as a broad, flat, water-logged lowland with a tidal zone that may extend as far as 15 km (9.3 mi) inland.[4] The Plain's boundaries include raised beach ridges 25–80 km (16–50 mi) inland and granite outcrops to the south. Its tundra covers clay soils, limestone and shale bedrock.[4]

Fauna

It is notable for migratory bird and wildlife (Barren-ground caribou crossing) habitat. The plain supports the largest goose colony in the world. It is a breeding ground or habitat for lesser snow geese, Canada geese, long-tailed ducks, king eider, common eider, and Atlantic brant. It is a natural habitat for shorebirds, such as the red phalarope.[4] It is classified as an Important Bird Area, an International Biological Program designated site and a Key Habitat Site.[4]

Conservation status

References

  1. ^ "Great Plain of the Koukdjuak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. ^ Canadian Hydrographic Service (1978). Sailing directions: Arctic Canada. Vol. 1. Canadian Government Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 0-660-11230-2.
  3. ^ "Koukdjuak, Great Plain of the". The Columbia Gazetteer of North America. 2000. Archived from the original on December 7, 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Great Plain of the Koukdjuak". IBA Canada. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2008-01-30.

External links

66°25′00″N 72°50′00″W / 66.41667°N 72.83333°W / 66.41667; -72.83333 (Great Plain of the Koukdjuak)[1]

  1. ^ <"Great Plain of the Koukdjuak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
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