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Region profile

Subarctic Coastal Plains

Subarctic Coastal Plains are characterized by flat, lake-dotted coastal plains and river deltas along the Bering Sea of western Alaska, experiencing a subarctic climate with cool summers and severe winters, and supporting permafrost-dominated landscapes, diverse wildlife, and small seasonal settlements.

Zone

Prairie

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

2.2.3

CEC Level II Code

2.2 Alaska Tundra

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Ellesmere and Devon Islands Ice Caps ecoregion is a high arctic area characterized by very short, cold summers (-2°C mean) and long, cold winters. Most of the terrain is ice and snow, with continuous permafrost. The vegetation is sparse, consisting mainly of moss, lichen, sedge, and cottongrass. This results in low species diversity and limited habitat and food sources for pollinators. The extreme cold and minimal flowering season are major limiting factors for pollinator populations. Few land uses are known, but the area is valued for tourism and scientific purposes, which should be mindful of the delicate, low-diversity ecosystem.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Subarctic Coastal Plains, CEC 2.2.3
Geographic Range	The Subarctic Coastal Plains ecoregion consists of the coastal plains and river deltas along the Bering Sea in western Alaska, encompassing the Kotzebue Sound area and the Yukon and Kuskokwim River delta.
Climate Snapshot	The region has a subarctic climate with cool summers and severe winters, a mean annual temperature of approximately -6°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from 250-500 mm.
Terrain Profile	This region is characterized by flat, lake-dotted coastal plains and river deltas with wet soils, a shallow permafrost table, and is mostly covered by older coastal deposits of marine and alluvial sediments, with a few low volcanic hills.
Vegetation Cover	Coastal areas are characterized by brackish marshes and wet meadows, while inland permafrost supports low birch-ericaceous shrubs, sedge-tussock, and sedge-moss bogs, with willow thickets along rivers and some white and black spruce stands in the south.
Wildlife Habitat	The predominant wildlife includes moose, black bear, caribou, and gray wolf, along with various waterfowl, shorebirds, whales, seals, arctic char, and all five species of North American Pacific salmon.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Climate pattern notes are being added.

Vegetation profile

Coastal areas are characterized by brackish marshes and wet meadows, while inland permafrost supports low birch-ericaceous shrubs, sedge-tussock, and sedge-moss bogs, with willow thickets along rivers and some white and black spruce stands in the south.

Wildlife profile

The predominant wildlife includes moose, black bear, caribou, and gray wolf, along with various waterfowl, shorebirds, whales, seals, arctic char, and all five species of North American Pacific salmon.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinator impact notes are being added.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Late winter/early spring: Planning, sourcing native plants, and preparing sheltered containers/raised areas (where allowed).
Spring: Planting may only be feasible once soils are workable; protect young plants from wind.
Summer: Peak bloom period—focus on watering (if needed), shelter, and avoiding disturbance.
Late summer/fall: Let plants finish flowering and set seed; reduce cleanup to keep shelter.

Quick seasonal checklist

Seasonal checklist notes are being added.

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

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 overwintering sites; early food where available	Leave natural shelter (dead stems/leaf litter) in place; plan a pesticide-free patch for your home region if local planting isn’t feasible
Spring	Early blooms; protection from wind/cold snaps	If you can plant locally, use sheltered containers/raised spots; otherwise, plant early-bloom natives in your home region
Summer	Continuous nectar/pollen; water; nesting space	Protect existing native flowers; avoid trampling/disturbance; add a small, sheltered planting only where it can survive
Late summer/fall	Late blooms; time to store energy; places to overwinter	Avoid “fall cleanup”; leave stems and seedheads; keep some bare ground and natural debris
Winter or Dry Season	Undisturbed shelter	Don’t clear everything; keep habitat intact and chemical-free; support pollinator habitat projects where you live

What You Can Do

Make a difference for native habitats.

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.

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Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

Alders

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.

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Asters

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.

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Birches

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.

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Blueberries & huckleberries

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.

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Clovers

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.

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Fireweed

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.

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Fleabanes

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.

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Goldenrods

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.

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Kinnikinnick

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.

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Manzanitas

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.

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Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods

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.

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Rushes

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.

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Sedges

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.

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Willowherbs

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.

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Willows

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.

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