Amundsen Plains is a region extending from the Mackenzie Delta to Bathurst Inlet, characterized by massive shield rocks forming broad uplands and lowlands, a cold climate, shrub tundra vegetation, numerous lakes, and significant mineral development potential.
Zone
Arctic
Common Name
Amundsen Plains
CEC Level III Code
2.4.1
CEC Level II Code
2.4 Southern Arctic
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Amundsen Plains |
| Geographic Range | The Amundsen Plains region extends from the eastern side of the Mackenzie Delta in the Northwest Territories southeastwards along the mainland coastal plain to Bathurst Inlet in Nunavut. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Amundsen Plains have a cold climate with a mean annual temperature of approximately -10.7°C, summer mean of 5.5°C, winter mean of -26.5°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from 200 to 300 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The Amundsen Plains region is characterized by broad, sloping uplands, plateaus, and lowlands formed by massive shield rocks, with rolling surfaces generally below 300 meters above sea level (masl) but some rugged ridges reaching up to 610 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is characterized by shrub tundra, including dwarf birch, willow, northern Labrador tea, Dryas spp., and Vaccinium, with scattered stands of spruce at the southern boundary and willow, sphagnum moss, and sedge tussocks dominating depressional sites. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Amundsen Plains support diverse wildlife including caribou, muskox, moose, various bears, hare, fox, wolf, lynx, raptors, shorebirds, seabirds, waterfowl, and marine mammals like beluga whale, seals, and walrus. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is characterized by shrub tundra, including dwarf birch, willow, northern Labrador tea, Dryas spp., and Vaccinium, with scattered stands of spruce at the southern boundary and willow, sphagnum moss, and sedge tussocks dominating depressional sites.
The Amundsen Plains support diverse wildlife including caribou, muskox, moose, various bears, hare, fox, wolf, lynx, raptors, shorebirds, seabirds, waterfowl, and marine mammals like beluga whale, seals, and walrus.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Safe shelter and early food sources where available | In your home region: plan an early-bloom plant list; leave some leaf litter/standing stems until spring warms |
| Spring | Early nectar/pollen; nesting sites starting up | Plant or pot up early bloomers in your home region; avoid all pesticides, especially “systemic” products |
| Summer | Steady bloom; water; places to nest | Keep flowers blooming (add mid-season plants); provide a shallow water dish with stones; leave some bare soil patches |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar/pollen to build reserves | Add late bloomers; avoid “fall cleanup” that removes shelter; let some plants go to seed |
| Winter or Dry Season | Protected overwintering habitat | Leave stems, seed heads, and some leaves; delay heavy cleanup until spring in your home region |
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.
Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.
Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Many visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while also playing important roles in local food webs.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
Adults can help move pollen as they nectar at flowers, and their caterpillars are an important part of local food webs.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
