Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands is a region located on the western and southern coastal plains of Banks Island and Victoria Island, characterized by cold temperatures, low precipitation, low-growing vegetation, low to medium density drainage, largely coastal plains with rolling hills, deep continuous permafrost, and wildlife including muskox, caribou, and polar bear.
Zone
Arctic
Common Name
Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands
CEC Level III Code
2.1.9
CEC Level II Code
2.1 Northern Arctic
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands, CEC 2.1.9, Banks Island & Amundsen Gulf Lowlands, Banks Island–Amundsen Gulf Lowlands |
| Geographic Range | The Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands region is located adjacent to Amundsen Gulf on the western and southern coastal plains of both Banks Island and Victoria Island. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands region has a mean annual temperature of approximately -14°C, with summer means of 1°C, winter means of -29°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging between 100 and 200 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by largely coastal plains underlain by unconsolidated sands and gravel, featuring low and rolling hills, deep continuous permafrost with high ice content, and wetlands covering 25 to 50 percent of the area. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation in this region consists of moss and mixed low-growing herbs and shrubs such as purple saxifrage, Dryas spp., arctic willow, kobresia, sedge, and arctic poppy. |
| Wildlife Habitat | Characteristic wildlife of the Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands includes muskox, caribou, arctic hare, arctic fox, snowy owl, raptors, polar bear, seal, walrus, whale, seabirds, and waterfowl. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation in this region consists of moss and mixed low-growing herbs and shrubs such as purple saxifrage, Dryas spp., arctic willow, kobresia, sedge, and arctic poppy.
Characteristic wildlife of the Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands includes muskox, caribou, arctic hare, arctic fox, snowy owl, raptors, polar bear, seal, walrus, whale, seabirds, and waterfowl.
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 | Early food sources and safe nesting sites | Plan a small patch or pot for your home region; choose at least one early-blooming native; avoid ordering “wildflower mixes” that don’t list species |
| Spring | Continuous bloom and clean water | Plant natives suited to your local conditions; add a shallow water dish with stones; skip pesticides |
| Summer | Steady nectar/pollen and shelter from heat/wind | Keep something blooming; water new plants; leave some “messy” areas (stems, leaf litter) for habitat |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season flowers and places to overwinter | Add late-blooming natives; stop deadheading some plants; leave stems standing |
| Winter (or dormant season) | Undisturbed shelter | Don’t over-tidy; delay heavy cleanup until warmer weather; keep pesticide-free practices year-round |
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.
