GNWT_BiologicEcologic_LCC

Polygonal Human Footprint - Boreal Caribou Recover Strategy (1)

The generation of geospatial thematic information for managing and monitoring Canada's boreal ecosystem is essential for researchers, land managers, and policy makers. Canada's boreal region is a vast mosaic of forests, wetlands, rivers and lakes, but anthropogenic disturbances have impacted these ecosystems resulting in habitat loss, fragmentation and threats to biodiversity. Across Canada various geospatial datasets representing anthropogenic disturbance exist for timber harvesting, hydro-electric activity, settlement and oil & gas activities; however, these products often vary in scale, attributes, time period, and mapping technique. Driven by the need for national data as part of the 2011 boreal caribou science assessment, a standardized methodology was developed and implemented to create a single geospatial dataset representing anthropogenic disturbances across a significant portion of Canada’s boreal ecosystem. The boreal ecosystem anthropogenic disturbances (BEAD) data is a vector disturbance dataset of individual linear and polygonal disturbance types that were manually collected through the interpretation of 2008 to 2010 Landsat imagery at a 1:50,000 viewing scale. Summary results identified a total polygonal anthropogenic disturbance footprint of approximately 24 million ha with forest cutblocks accounting for more than 60 % of mapped polygonal disturbance. Linear disturbance features across the boreal total approximately 600,000 km with roads and seismic exploration lines contributing to more than 80 % of the mapped linear disturbances.

Level IV EcoRegions (4)

Please refer to the following website for additional information including the reports for each Level II Ecoregion (i.e. Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Cordillera, Southern Arctic, Northern Arctic (coming soon)).http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/Ecosystem_Classification.aspxATTRIBUTESOne set of variables aggregated under climate data was derived from Level III ecoregion descriptions; the remainder of the attribute list information was derived from Level IV ecoregion descriptions. For non-climate information, the entire ecoregion description and all photos and captions were reviewed to develop the best abstraction of each attribute. Attribute abstraction was completed by the D.Downing (2013) who prepared all of the Level IV ecoregion descriptions and is familiar with the landscapes. There is a certain amount of repetition between some of the categories e.g. glaciers may be represented under surficial geology and surface materials as ice and under permafrost as glaciers. Climate dataClimate information is derived from Level III ecoregion descriptions, specifically the descriptive section titled “Climate”,and assigned to all Level IV ecoregions nested within a Level III ecoregion. For example, the Taiga Plains Low Subarctic Level III ecoregion includes 14 Level IV ecoregions. All 14 of these ecoregions are assigned the same value or value range for mean annual temperature, precipitation and the other climatic variables listed below. Climate attributes are assigned in this manner because there is insufficient climatic information to describe individual climatic parameters for Level IV ecoregions. The information presented for Level III ecoregions in the above-listed reports was largely derived from models produced at the national ecodistrict level by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which are generalizations derived from very sparsely distributed long-term weather station data.Attribute values included under this general category are typically expressed as numeric ranges, reflecting the degree of inherent variability (geographic and year-to-year) within Level III ecoregions. Attributes include the following:CLIMATE ATTRIBUTESATTRIBUTEDESCRIPTIONMATMean annual temperature, expressed as degrees CelsiusMAPMean annual precipitation, expressed as mm of total rain and snowM_JANMean temperature in the coldest month, typically January (or February where designated by a value followed by (Feb)), expressed as degrees CelsiusM_JULMean temperature in the warmest month (July), expressed as degrees CelsiusSRAnnAverage annual solar radiation, expressed as megajoules per square metre per daySRJunSolar radiation in June (longest days), expressed as megajoules per square metre per daySRDecSolar radiation in December (shortest days), expressed as megajoules per square metre per day Surficial geologyThree dataset attributes (Surfgeo1, Surfgeo2, Surfgeo3) are included under the general category of surficial geology. The attribute values and their definitions are provided below and in the worksheet titled “surficial geology” in the Excel® workbook titled “NWT_ecoregion_searchable_attributes.xls”.Most of the attribute values and their definitions are as presented by Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada (website: http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/nsdb/ecostrat/1999report/data_tables.html. Attribute value definitions for colluvium were augmented by adding a reference to highly weathered tills, mostly related to areas in the Northern and Southern Arctic considered by some researchers to be recently unglaciated. A variable referencing weathered rock (RW) was also added as it is a significant component in some areas. Changes are shown in italics and coloured red in the table below. The first and second variables (Surfgeo1, Surfgeo2) may be codominant or the second subordinate to the first. In most cases, Surfgeo3was a minor component of the ecoregion but some ecoregions were highly complex and all three variables were judged to be of equal importance. The written descriptions should be consulted in cases where analysis requires a more specific assessment of proportion.SURFICIAL GEOLOGYAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONIGlaciers: Ice and minor morainal debris.AAlluvial Deposits: stratified silt, sand, clay, and gravel; floodplain, delta, and fan deposits; in places overlies and includes glaciofluvial deposits.mMMarine Mud: Fluid silty clay and clayey silt: deposited as quiet water sediments.sMMarine Sand: Sand and locally gravel; deposited as sheet sands, lags, and beaches.mLLacustrine Mud: Fluid silty clay and clayey silt: deposited as quiet water sediments.sLLacustrine Sand: Sand and locally gravel; deposited as sheet sands, lags, and beaches.EEolian Deposits: sand and minor silt: dunes, blowouts, and undulating plains: In most places overlies deltaic sediments, coarse lacustrine sediments, or glaciofluvial deposits.OOrganic deposits: peat, muck and minor inorganic sediments; large bog, fen, and swamp areas where organic fill masks underlying surficial materials; generally >2 m thickbCColluvial Blocks: Blocks, and rubble with sand and silt; derived from crystalline bedrock, medium grade metamorphic substrate, and cemented sandstone.rCColluvial Rubble:Rubble and silt; derived from carbonate and consolidated fine classic sedimentary rock substrate. Includes highly weathered tillsfCColluvial Fines: Silt, clay, and fine sand: derived from substrate weakly consolidated shale and siltstone substrate. Includes highly weathered tillssCColluvial Sand: Sand and gravel; derived from poorly lithified sandstone and conglomerate substrate. Includes highly weathered tills.L:fMLacustrine Fine Grained: Fine grained silt and clay, locally containing stones: deposited as quiet water sediments.L:cLLacustrine Coarse Grained: sand, silt, and gravel: deposited as deltas, sheet sands and lag deposits.M:fMMarine Fine Grained: Dominantly silt and clay, locally containing stones; deposited as a quiet water sediment.M:cMMarine Coarse Grained: Sand and gravel: deposited as sheet sands, deltas, and extensive flights of beaches.M:MvLag: Sand, gravel, and pockets of fine sediment; thin to discontinued sediment veneer and residual lag developed during marine submergence; includes areas of washed till and rock.GpGlaciofluvial Plain: Sand and gravel: deposited as outwash sheets, valley trains, and terrace deposits.GxGlaciofluvial Complex: Sand and gravel and locally diamicton: undifferentiated ice contact stratified drift, and outwash; locally includes till and rock.TbTill Blanket: Thick and continuous till.TvTill Veneer: Thin and discontinuous till: may include areas of rock outcrop.TvbTill veneer and blanket complex:VQuarternary Volcanics: consolidated lava, breccia and tephra: dominantly basaltic and andesitic in composition; includes flows, volcanic piles and cinder conesRaAlpine Complexes: rock, colluvium, and till: rock and Quarternary deposits complex in an area, characterized by alpine and glacial landforms.RUndivided: rock with minor Quaternary deposits. Includes unweathered and weathered rock.RWWeathered bedrock – usually shales and sandstones.Surface materialsTwo attribute fields (Surfmat1, Surfmat2) are included under the general category of surface materials. This category is very general and reflects surficial geology categories. Refer to the table below.SURFACE MATERIALSAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONICICE and SNOWGlacial ice and permanent snowORORGANIC SOILContains > 30% organic matter as measured by weightROROCKRock undifferentiatedSOMINERAL SOILPredominantly mineral particles: contains 3%. Examples are morainal plains and hill lands.LLevelA flat or very gently sloping, unidirectional surface with a generally constant slope unbroken by marked elevations and depressions. Slopes are generally 5% but may be less. This surface form is usually controlled by the underlying bedrock.RRidgedA long, narrow elevation of the surface, usually sharp crested with steep sides; ridges may be parallel, subparallel, or intersecting. Examples are eskers, crevasse fillings, washboard moraines and some drumlins. Includes pronounced terrain associated with rugged bedrock-controlled hill and mountain systems.SSteepErosional slopes of greater than 70% (35°), present on both consolidated and unconsolidated materials. The form of a steep erosional slope on unconsolidated materials is not related to the initial mode of origin of the underlying material. An example is an escarpment.TTerracedScarp face and the horizontal or gently inclined surface (or tread) above it. An example is an alluvial terrace.SURFACE FORM(cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONUUndulatingA very regular sequence of gentle slopes that extends from rounded and, in some places, confined concavities to broad, rounded convexities producing a wavelike pattern of low local relief. Slope length is generally less than 0.8 km and the dominant gradient of slopes is usually 2-5%. The terrain lacks an external drainage pattern. Examples are some ground moraines and lacustrine material of varying textures.B04Domed bogA large bog (diameter usually >500 m) with a convex surface rising several metres above the surrounding terrain. The centre usually drains in all directions; small crescentic pools commonly form around the highest point; a concentric pattern is formed if the highest point is in the centre, while an eccentric pattern is formed if the highest point is off-centre. Peat development is usually >3 m.B05Polygonal peat plateau bogA perennially frozen bog rising approximately 1 m above the surrounding fen. The surface is relatively flat, scored by a polygonal pattern of trenches that developed over ice wedges. The permafrost and ice wedges developed in peat originally deposited in a nonpermafrost environment.B07Peat plateau bogA bog composed of perennially frozen peat rising abruptly about 1 m from the surrounding unfrozen fen. The surface is relatively flat and even, and commonly covers large areas. The peat was originally deposited in a nonpermafrost environment and is associated in many places with collapse scar bogs or fens.B09Atlantic plateau bogA bog with a flat to undulating surface raised above the surrounding terrain. The bog edges commonly slope steeply downwards to the mineral soil terrain. Large pools scattered on the bog reach depths of 2-4 m.B13Basin bogA bog situated in a basin with essentially closed drainage which receives water from precipitation and runoff from the immediate surroundings. The surface of the bog is flat with peat generally deepest at the centre.B14Flat bogA bog having a flat, featureless surface and occurring in broad, poorly defined depressions. The depth of peat is generally uniform.B15String bogA pattern of narrow (2-3 m wide), low (1 m.B16Blanket bogA bog consisting of extensive peat deposits that occur more or less uniformly over gently sloping hills and valleys. The peat thickness is usually 1 m.F07Shore fenA fen with an anchored surface mat that forms the shore of a pond or lake. The rooting zone is affected by the water of the lake at both normal and flood levels.F11Slope fenA fen occurring mainly on slow-draining, nutrient-enriched seepage slopes. Pools are usually absent, but wet seepage tracks may occur. Peat thickness is usually <2 m.F13Horizontal fenA fen with a gently sloping, featureless surface. This fen occupies broad, often ill-defined depressions and may interconnect with other fens. Peat accumulation is generally uniform.F14Snowpatch fenFens that form below melting snowbanks in the Arctic or Alpine. Peat accumulation is very limited and thicknesses are usually less than 20 cm.SURFACE FORM(cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONS01Stream swampA swamp occurring along the banks of permanent or semipermanent streams. The high water table is maintained by the level of water in the stream. The swamp is seasonally inundated with subsequent sediment deposition.S04Basin swampA swamp developed in a topographically defined basin where water derived locally may be augmented by drainage from other parts of the watershed. Accumulation of well-decomposed peat is shallow (< 0.5 m) at the edge but may reach 2 m at the centre.M06Stream marshA marsh occupying shorelines, bars, stream beds, or islands in continuously flowing watercourses. The marsh is subject to prolonged annual flooding and is commonly covered by thick layers of sediments.M11Shallow basin marshA marsh occurring in a uniformly shallow marsh depression or swale, having a gradual gradient from the edge to the deepest portion; the marsh edge may be poorly defined. Water levels fluctuate rapidly.M14Shore marshA marsh occupying the contact zone between high and low water marks bordering semipermanent or permanent lakes. The marsh, usually found along protected shorelines, behind barrier beaches in lagoons, on islands, or in embayments, is subject to flooding by a rise in lake levels, wind waves, or surface runoff.Permafrost formTwo attribute fields (Prmfrst1, Prmfrst2) capture the primary and secondary permafrost forms in each ecoregion. The documents were reviewed for all permafrost types and a list was compiled that is more comprehensive than that provided by Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada. The attribute values and definitions are provided below.Permafrost FORMAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONEHEarth hummocks -A hummock having a core of silty and clayey mineral soil which may show evidence of cryoturbation. Earth hummocks are a type of non-sorted circle (see also patterned ground and turf hummock) commonly found in the zone of continuous permafrost. They develop in materials of a high silt and clay content and/or of high ice content.FRFrost heaved/shattered rock -rock that has been pushed to the surface or broken by freeze-thaw cyclesGIGround ice - Layers of segregated ice or ice-organic mixes or ice-mineral soil mixes that do not melt.GLGlacier - A mass of ice that develops as a result of snow and ice accumulation over a long period of time and that moves laterally from the centre of accumulation.HCHigh centre polygons (with low-centre polygons as subdominant) - see low-centre polygonIWIce wedge polygonsLCLow centre polygons (with high-centre polygons as subdominant): A feature of continuous permafrost in wet terrain (e.g., drained lakes). Ice wedges develop in cracks, pushing up soil ridges adjacent to the wedges and creating dams that trap water inside the resulting polygons. The features appear as high-rimmed ridges surrounding wet shallow central pools of water. Over hundreds or thousands of years, peat deposits build up and eventually create a dome-shaped surface; these features are referred to as high-centre polygons.NCNon-sorted circles, stripes - a non-sorted circle is a patterned ground form that is equidimensional in several directions, with a dominantly circular outline which lacks a well-defined border of stones and has a centre composed of a mixture of textures from fine through coarse mixed with gravels, cobbles and boulders. A network of non-sorted circles that meet is referred to as a non-sorted net. Non-sorted stripes form under the same influence of frost action as non-sorted circles, but because they form on slopes, they flow and elongate perpendicular to contour.PAPalsa -A peaty permafrost mound possessing a core of alternating layers of segregated ice and peat or mineral soil material. Palsas are typically between 1 and 7 metres in height and a few metres to 100 metres in diameter. PGPatterned ground - A general term for circles, polygons, stripes, nets and steps created by frost action.Permafrost FORM (cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONPIPingo - A mound of earth-covered ice found in the Arctic, Subarctic and Antarctica that can reach up to 70 metres in height and up to 2 kilometres in diameter. The term originated as the Inuit word for a small hill. They are most common in Canada along the coastal plains of the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. They form in the former basins of drained lakes. PPPeat plateau - A bog composed of perennially frozen peat, rising abruptly about 1 m from the surrounding unfrozen fen. The surface is relatively flat and even and often covers very large areas. The peat was originally deposited in a non-permafrost environment and is often associated with collapse scars or fens.PPPPolygonal peat plateau - A perennially frozen bog, rising about 1 m above the surrounding fen. The surface is relatively flat, scored by a polygonal pattern of trenches that developed over ice wedges. The permafrost and ice wedges developed in peat originally deposited in a non-permafrost environment. Polygonal peat plateaus are commonly found near the boundary between the zones of discontinuous and continuous permafrost.RRunnels - A pattern of alternating flow channels and interchannel uplands perpendicular to contour. In permafrost-affected areas, light and dark-striped patterns on hill slopes are runnels; the light stripes are usually sparsely treed, lichen covered interchannel areas with permafrost close to the surface and the dark stripes are shallow drainage channels vegetated by dwarf birch, willow and other shrubs with a thicker active layer.RGRock glaciers - ice-cored, often lobe-shaped landforms covered by soil and rock.RTRetrogressive thaw (or flow) slides - A slide that consists of a headwall containing ice or ice-rich sediment, which retreats in a retrogressive fashion through melting, and a debris flow formed by the mixture of thawed sediment and ice that has slid down the failure surface to the base of the slope and frequently into a thermokarst depression, lake, or pond. SCSorted circles, stripes - a sorted circle is permafrost-related patterned ground that forms under extremely cold conditions when frost action pushes parent materials to the surface; the centre of the circle is occupied by sparsely vegetated finer-textured materials, with a ring of gravels, cobbles and boulders around the outside. A network of sorted circles that meet is referred to as a sorted net. Sorted stripes form under the same influence of frost action as sorted circles, but because they form on slopes, they flow and elongate perpendicular to contour.SOSolifluction - the downslope movement of water-saturated soil in a viscous or plastic state over an impermeable layer, often permafrost. The presence of an impermeable permafrost layer prevents the internal drainage of the soil, forcing the soil to flow down the slope. During warm periods the surface layer thaws and slides across the frozen layer, slowly moving downslope due to frost heave.TKThermokarst -The process by which characteristic landforms result from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost or the melting of massive ice. TUTurf hummocks - a permafrost-related northern Arctic landform generally less than 1m across and 50cm in height that is often associated with aeolian materials (sands, silts). It is more or less circular and is initially forced upward by frost action. It receives solar energy from all sides during the 24-hour days of the brief growing season, promoting plant growth which traps windborne silt and sand particles, resulting in the gradual accretion of materials and growth of the hummock.VBVeneer bog - A bog occurring on gently sloping terrain underlain by generally discontinuous permafrost. Although drainage is predominantly below the surface, overland flow occurs in poorly defined drainage ways during peak runoff. Peat thickness is generally less than 1.5 metres.Soil developmentThree dataset attribute fields (Soil1, Soil2, Soil3) capture soil information from the written ecoregion descriptions. A subset of the soil table provided by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada was used, as many of the soil types in the full table do not occur in the NWT. As for surficial geology, the first and second variables (Soil1, Soil2) may be codominant or the second subordinate to the first. In some cases, a value for Soil1and Soil3was provided, with no value for Soil2. This indicates that Soil1is dominant, and Soil3is only present over minor areas within the ecoregion. The written descriptions should be consulted in cases where analysis requires a more specific assessment of proportion.Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONFGray LuvisolHGHumic GleysolHRHumic RegosolIBrunisol Gray LuvisolLGLuvic GleysolMEutric BrunisolOOrganic CryosolPDystric BrunisolRRegosolSStatic CryosolTTurbic CryosolUGleysolXFibrisolYMesisolZHumisol#Water, Rock or IceLand CoverThree attribute fields (Landcov1, Landcov2, Landcov3) capture vegetation information from the written descriptions. Because vegetation patterns are in part how ecoregions are described, there is considerable variation from one Level II ecoregion to another, and the 17 classes provided by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada were considered inadequate to represent significant vegetation trends. A review of all five documents consequently resulted in the establishment of specific attribute values for major vegetation types within the Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, and Cordillera. The Southern Arctic and Northern Arctic classifications are based mainly upon the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map community types (CAVM Team 2003) and are more consistently defined and described, but also had some unique values. Attribute values specific to each area are presented in tables below; to identify the types uniquely, they are prefaced with TP:(Taiga Plains), TS:(Taiga Shield), CO:(Cordillera), SA:(Southern Arctic) and NA:(Northern Arctic).Landcov1and Landcov2were generally used to capture the major vegetation types; if there was a significant vegetation type that did not occur over large areas but was considered diagnostic (e.g. alpine fir types in the southern mountains), it was included as Landcov3even if there were other vegetation communities that covered larger areas. The written descriptions should be consulted in cases where analysis requires a more specific assessment of proportion.LAND COVER (VEGETATION): TAIGA PLAINSAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONTP:F1Fen: SedgeTP:F2Fen: shrub-sedgeTP:F3Fen or bog: Black spruce - shrub - mossTP:F4Fen: Black spruce - larchTP:FC1Forest: Jackpine - shrub - lichenTP:FC2Forest: Jackpine - tall shrub - lichenTP:FC3Forest: Lodgepole and jackpine X lodgepole hybridTP:FC4Forest: White spruce - jack pineTP:FC5Forest: Spruce - lichenTP:FC6Forest: spruce-shrub (includes both black and white spruce)TP:FC7Forest: white spruceTP:FC8Forest: black spruce - shrub - lichenTP:FD1Forest: Deciduous (aspen, balsam poplar, paper birch)TP:FD2Forest: Paper birchTP:FM1Forest: Mixedwood jackpine - aspenTP:FM2Forest: Spruce - paper birch (includes white and black spruce)TP:FM3Forest: Mixedwood aspen - paper birch - spruce - jackpineTP:M1Marsh: bulrush - sedgeTP:M2Meadow: herb-grass-shrubTP:S1Shrubland: dwarf birch - dryland sedge - lichenTP:S2Shrubland: dwarf birch - Labrador tea - peat moss TP:S3Shrubland: dwarf birch - paper birch (post-fire regeneration). May include white spruce and black spruce regeneration, and may be one or both deciduous species.TP:S4Shrubland: dwarf birch - willowTP:S5Shrubland: lichen - Labrador tea - dwarf birch (polygonal peat plateaus)TP:S6Shrubland: willow-alderTP:S6Shrubland: willowTP:S7Shrubland: dryTP:TSTundra: ShrubTP:W1Woodland: White spruce - shrub-lichen woodlandTP:W2Woodland: Black spruce - low shrub- lichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): TAIGA SHELDAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONTS:F1Fen: sedge (including a minor component of shrubs)TS:F2Fen: shrub (including a minor component of sedges)TS:FC1Forest: Jackpine (may include minor paper birch, white spruce, black spruce)TS:FC2Forest: Spruce - moss (undifferentiated white and black spruce)TS:FC3Forest: Spruce - shrub - lichen (undifferentiated white and black spruce)TS:FD1Forest: DeciduousTS:FM1Forest: Mixedwood (any combination of aspen, balsam poplar, and birch with white spruce, black spruce, and jackpine)TS:FM2Forest: Mixedwood white spruce - paper birchTS:FM3Forest: Mixedwood jackpine - paper birchTS:NFLLichen on rockTS:S1Shrubland: Dwarf birch - paper birch (post-fire regeneration)TS:S2Shrubland: lichen - Labrador tea - dwarf birch (peat plateaus)TS:T1Tundra: lichen - grass heathTS:T2Tundra: sedgeTS:T3Tundra: shrub heathTS:T4Tundra: lichen-sedge-shrub complexTS:W1Woodland: White spruce - shrub - lichen TS:W2Woodland: Spruce - shrub - lichenTS:W3Woodland: Black spruce - lichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): CORDILLERAAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONCO:F1Fen: Black spruce - (larch) - shrubCO:F2Fen: Sedge - cottongrass tussockCO:F3Fen: Shrub - sedgeCO:FC1Forest: JackpineCO:FC2Forest: lodgepole pineCO:FC3Forest: Spruce - shrubCO:FC4Forest: White spruceCO:FC5Forest: White spruce - alpine firCO:FD1Forest: Deciduous (aspen, balsam poplar, paper birch)CO:FM1Forest: Mixedwood (white spruce, aspen, jackpine, lodgepole pine)CO:FM2Forest: Mixedwood (spruce, balsam poplar, birch, tall shrub)CO:NFL1Lichen - RockCO:Rrock barrensCO:S1Shrubland: dwarf birch - willow - paper birch (post-fire regeneration)CO:S2Shrublands: Tall (alder, willow, birch)CO:S3Shrublands: DryCO:S4Shrublands: dwarf birch - willowCO:T1Tundra: herb (rich, diverse, Pacific-Cordilleran species)CO:T2Tundra: LichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): CORDILLERA (cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONCO:T3Tundra: Sedge - cottongrassCO:T4Tundra: sedge-shrubCO:T5Tundra: shrubCO:W1Woodland: alpine firCO:W2Woodland: black spruce - larch - mossCO:W3Woodland: black spruce - shrub - moss - lichenCO:W4Woodland: White spruce - alpine firCO:W5Woodland: White (black) spruce - shrub - lichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): SOUTHERN ARCTIC*Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONSA:B1Cryptogam –herb barren SA:B2Cryptogam –barren complex (bedrock) SA:CMCoastal MarshSA:G2Graminoid –prostrate dwarf-shrub –forb tundraSA:G3Nontussock sedge –dwarf-shrub –moss tundraSA:G4Tussock-sedge –dwarf-shrub –moss tundra SA:P1Prostrate dwarf-shrub –herb tundraSA:S1Erect dwarf-shrub tundra SA:S2Low-shrub tundraSA:T1Tundra: lichen - grass heath (continuation of Taiga Shield)SA:T2Tundra: sedge (continuation of Taiga Shield)SA:T3Tundra: shrub heath (continuation of Taiga Shield)SA:TGTree groves / sparse tree growthSA:W2Sedge –moss –dwarf-shrub wetland SA:W3Sedge –moss –low-shrub wetland LAND COVER (VEGETATION): NORTHERN ARCTIC*Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONNA:B1Cryptogam –herb barren NA:B2Cryptogam –barren complex (bedrock) NA:B3b-cNon-carbonate mountain complex NA:B4bCarbonate mountain complex NA:G1Rush –grass–forb –cryptogam tundra NA:G2Graminoid –prostrate dwarf-shrub –forb tundra NA:G3Nontussock sedge –moss –dwarf-shrub tundraNA:P1Prostrate dwarf-shrub –herb tundra NA:P2Prostrate/hemiprostrate dwarf-shrub tundraNA:S2Low-shrub tundra NA:W1Sedge –grass –moss wetland * the code values following SA: and NA: are those defined by the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (CAVM Team 2003), except for SA:T1, SA:T2, SA:T3 (continuation of Taiga Shield vegetation to the north) and SA:CM (coastal marshes of Mackenzie Delta, too small to address in the circumpolarmap survey.REFERENCES CITEDCAVM Team. 2003. Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map. (1:7,500,000 scale), Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Map No. 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.

Level II EcoRegions (6)

Please refer to the following website for additional information including the reports for each Level II Ecoregion (i.e. Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Cordillera, Southern Arctic, Northern Arctic (coming soon)).http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/Ecosystem_Classification.aspxATTRIBUTESOne set of variables aggregated under climate data was derived from Level III ecoregion descriptions; the remainder of the attribute list information was derived from Level IV ecoregion descriptions. For non-climate information, the entire ecoregion description and all photos and captions were reviewed to develop the best abstraction of each attribute. Attribute abstraction was completed by the D.Downing (2013) who prepared all of the Level IV ecoregion descriptions and is familiar with the landscapes. There is a certain amount of repetition between some of the categories e.g. glaciers may be represented under surficial geology and surface materials as ice and under permafrost as glaciers. Climate dataClimate information is derived from Level III ecoregion descriptions, specifically the descriptive section titled “Climate”,and assigned to all Level IV ecoregions nested within a Level III ecoregion. For example, the Taiga Plains Low Subarctic Level III ecoregion includes 14 Level IV ecoregions. All 14 of these ecoregions are assigned the same value or value range for mean annual temperature, precipitation and the other climatic variables listed below. Climate attributes are assigned in this manner because there is insufficient climatic information to describe individual climatic parameters for Level IV ecoregions. The information presented for Level III ecoregions in the above-listed reports was largely derived from models produced at the national ecodistrict level by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which are generalizations derived from very sparsely distributed long-term weather station data.Attribute values included under this general category are typically expressed as numeric ranges, reflecting the degree of inherent variability (geographic and year-to-year) within Level III ecoregions. Attributes include the following:CLIMATE ATTRIBUTESATTRIBUTEDESCRIPTIONMATMean annual temperature, expressed as degrees CelsiusMAPMean annual precipitation, expressed as mm of total rain and snowM_JANMean temperature in the coldest month, typically January (or February where designated by a value followed by (Feb)), expressed as degrees CelsiusM_JULMean temperature in the warmest month (July), expressed as degrees CelsiusSRAnnAverage annual solar radiation, expressed as megajoules per square metre per daySRJunSolar radiation in June (longest days), expressed as megajoules per square metre per daySRDecSolar radiation in December (shortest days), expressed as megajoules per square metre per day Surficial geologyThree dataset attributes (Surfgeo1, Surfgeo2, Surfgeo3) are included under the general category of surficial geology. The attribute values and their definitions are provided below and in the worksheet titled “surficial geology” in the Excel® workbook titled “NWT_ecoregion_searchable_attributes.xls”.Most of the attribute values and their definitions are as presented by Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada (website: http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/nsdb/ecostrat/1999report/data_tables.html. Attribute value definitions for colluvium were augmented by adding a reference to highly weathered tills, mostly related to areas in the Northern and Southern Arctic considered by some researchers to be recently unglaciated. A variable referencing weathered rock (RW) was also added as it is a significant component in some areas. Changes are shown in italics and coloured red in the table below. The first and second variables (Surfgeo1, Surfgeo2) may be codominant or the second subordinate to the first. In most cases, Surfgeo3was a minor component of the ecoregion but some ecoregions were highly complex and all three variables were judged to be of equal importance. The written descriptions should be consulted in cases where analysis requires a more specific assessment of proportion.SURFICIAL GEOLOGYAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONIGlaciers: Ice and minor morainal debris.AAlluvial Deposits: stratified silt, sand, clay, and gravel; floodplain, delta, and fan deposits; in places overlies and includes glaciofluvial deposits.mMMarine Mud: Fluid silty clay and clayey silt: deposited as quiet water sediments.sMMarine Sand: Sand and locally gravel; deposited as sheet sands, lags, and beaches.mLLacustrine Mud: Fluid silty clay and clayey silt: deposited as quiet water sediments.sLLacustrine Sand: Sand and locally gravel; deposited as sheet sands, lags, and beaches.EEolian Deposits: sand and minor silt: dunes, blowouts, and undulating plains: In most places overlies deltaic sediments, coarse lacustrine sediments, or glaciofluvial deposits.OOrganic deposits: peat, muck and minor inorganic sediments; large bog, fen, and swamp areas where organic fill masks underlying surficial materials; generally >2 m thickbCColluvial Blocks: Blocks, and rubble with sand and silt; derived from crystalline bedrock, medium grade metamorphic substrate, and cemented sandstone.rCColluvial Rubble:Rubble and silt; derived from carbonate and consolidated fine classic sedimentary rock substrate. Includes highly weathered tillsfCColluvial Fines: Silt, clay, and fine sand: derived from substrate weakly consolidated shale and siltstone substrate. Includes highly weathered tillssCColluvial Sand: Sand and gravel; derived from poorly lithified sandstone and conglomerate substrate. Includes highly weathered tills.L:fMLacustrine Fine Grained: Fine grained silt and clay, locally containing stones: deposited as quiet water sediments.L:cLLacustrine Coarse Grained: sand, silt, and gravel: deposited as deltas, sheet sands and lag deposits.M:fMMarine Fine Grained: Dominantly silt and clay, locally containing stones; deposited as a quiet water sediment.M:cMMarine Coarse Grained: Sand and gravel: deposited as sheet sands, deltas, and extensive flights of beaches.M:MvLag: Sand, gravel, and pockets of fine sediment; thin to discontinued sediment veneer and residual lag developed during marine submergence; includes areas of washed till and rock.GpGlaciofluvial Plain: Sand and gravel: deposited as outwash sheets, valley trains, and terrace deposits.GxGlaciofluvial Complex: Sand and gravel and locally diamicton: undifferentiated ice contact stratified drift, and outwash; locally includes till and rock.TbTill Blanket: Thick and continuous till.TvTill Veneer: Thin and discontinuous till: may include areas of rock outcrop.TvbTill veneer and blanket complex:VQuarternary Volcanics: consolidated lava, breccia and tephra: dominantly basaltic and andesitic in composition; includes flows, volcanic piles and cinder conesRaAlpine Complexes: rock, colluvium, and till: rock and Quarternary deposits complex in an area, characterized by alpine and glacial landforms.RUndivided: rock with minor Quaternary deposits. Includes unweathered and weathered rock.RWWeathered bedrock – usually shales and sandstones.Surface materialsTwo attribute fields (Surfmat1, Surfmat2) are included under the general category of surface materials. This category is very general and reflects surficial geology categories. Refer to the table below.SURFACE MATERIALSAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONICICE and SNOWGlacial ice and permanent snowORORGANIC SOILContains > 30% organic matter as measured by weightROROCKRock undifferentiatedSOMINERAL SOILPredominantly mineral particles: contains 3%. Examples are morainal plains and hill lands.LLevelA flat or very gently sloping, unidirectional surface with a generally constant slope unbroken by marked elevations and depressions. Slopes are generally 5% but may be less. This surface form is usually controlled by the underlying bedrock.RRidgedA long, narrow elevation of the surface, usually sharp crested with steep sides; ridges may be parallel, subparallel, or intersecting. Examples are eskers, crevasse fillings, washboard moraines and some drumlins. Includes pronounced terrain associated with rugged bedrock-controlled hill and mountain systems.SSteepErosional slopes of greater than 70% (35°), present on both consolidated and unconsolidated materials. The form of a steep erosional slope on unconsolidated materials is not related to the initial mode of origin of the underlying material. An example is an escarpment.TTerracedScarp face and the horizontal or gently inclined surface (or tread) above it. An example is an alluvial terrace.SURFACE FORM(cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONUUndulatingA very regular sequence of gentle slopes that extends from rounded and, in some places, confined concavities to broad, rounded convexities producing a wavelike pattern of low local relief. Slope length is generally less than 0.8 km and the dominant gradient of slopes is usually 2-5%. The terrain lacks an external drainage pattern. Examples are some ground moraines and lacustrine material of varying textures.B04Domed bogA large bog (diameter usually >500 m) with a convex surface rising several metres above the surrounding terrain. The centre usually drains in all directions; small crescentic pools commonly form around the highest point; a concentric pattern is formed if the highest point is in the centre, while an eccentric pattern is formed if the highest point is off-centre. Peat development is usually >3 m.B05Polygonal peat plateau bogA perennially frozen bog rising approximately 1 m above the surrounding fen. The surface is relatively flat, scored by a polygonal pattern of trenches that developed over ice wedges. The permafrost and ice wedges developed in peat originally deposited in a nonpermafrost environment.B07Peat plateau bogA bog composed of perennially frozen peat rising abruptly about 1 m from the surrounding unfrozen fen. The surface is relatively flat and even, and commonly covers large areas. The peat was originally deposited in a nonpermafrost environment and is associated in many places with collapse scar bogs or fens.B09Atlantic plateau bogA bog with a flat to undulating surface raised above the surrounding terrain. The bog edges commonly slope steeply downwards to the mineral soil terrain. Large pools scattered on the bog reach depths of 2-4 m.B13Basin bogA bog situated in a basin with essentially closed drainage which receives water from precipitation and runoff from the immediate surroundings. The surface of the bog is flat with peat generally deepest at the centre.B14Flat bogA bog having a flat, featureless surface and occurring in broad, poorly defined depressions. The depth of peat is generally uniform.B15String bogA pattern of narrow (2-3 m wide), low (1 m.B16Blanket bogA bog consisting of extensive peat deposits that occur more or less uniformly over gently sloping hills and valleys. The peat thickness is usually 1 m.F07Shore fenA fen with an anchored surface mat that forms the shore of a pond or lake. The rooting zone is affected by the water of the lake at both normal and flood levels.F11Slope fenA fen occurring mainly on slow-draining, nutrient-enriched seepage slopes. Pools are usually absent, but wet seepage tracks may occur. Peat thickness is usually <2 m.F13Horizontal fenA fen with a gently sloping, featureless surface. This fen occupies broad, often ill-defined depressions and may interconnect with other fens. Peat accumulation is generally uniform.F14Snowpatch fenFens that form below melting snowbanks in the Arctic or Alpine. Peat accumulation is very limited and thicknesses are usually less than 20 cm.SURFACE FORM(cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONS01Stream swampA swamp occurring along the banks of permanent or semipermanent streams. The high water table is maintained by the level of water in the stream. The swamp is seasonally inundated with subsequent sediment deposition.S04Basin swampA swamp developed in a topographically defined basin where water derived locally may be augmented by drainage from other parts of the watershed. Accumulation of well-decomposed peat is shallow (< 0.5 m) at the edge but may reach 2 m at the centre.M06Stream marshA marsh occupying shorelines, bars, stream beds, or islands in continuously flowing watercourses. The marsh is subject to prolonged annual flooding and is commonly covered by thick layers of sediments.M11Shallow basin marshA marsh occurring in a uniformly shallow marsh depression or swale, having a gradual gradient from the edge to the deepest portion; the marsh edge may be poorly defined. Water levels fluctuate rapidly.M14Shore marshA marsh occupying the contact zone between high and low water marks bordering semipermanent or permanent lakes. The marsh, usually found along protected shorelines, behind barrier beaches in lagoons, on islands, or in embayments, is subject to flooding by a rise in lake levels, wind waves, or surface runoff.Permafrost formTwo attribute fields (Prmfrst1, Prmfrst2) capture the primary and secondary permafrost forms in each ecoregion. The documents were reviewed for all permafrost types and a list was compiled that is more comprehensive than that provided by Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada. The attribute values and definitions are provided below.Permafrost FORMAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONEHEarth hummocks -A hummock having a core of silty and clayey mineral soil which may show evidence of cryoturbation. Earth hummocks are a type of non-sorted circle (see also patterned ground and turf hummock) commonly found in the zone of continuous permafrost. They develop in materials of a high silt and clay content and/or of high ice content.FRFrost heaved/shattered rock -rock that has been pushed to the surface or broken by freeze-thaw cyclesGIGround ice - Layers of segregated ice or ice-organic mixes or ice-mineral soil mixes that do not melt.GLGlacier - A mass of ice that develops as a result of snow and ice accumulation over a long period of time and that moves laterally from the centre of accumulation.HCHigh centre polygons (with low-centre polygons as subdominant) - see low-centre polygonIWIce wedge polygonsLCLow centre polygons (with high-centre polygons as subdominant): A feature of continuous permafrost in wet terrain (e.g., drained lakes). Ice wedges develop in cracks, pushing up soil ridges adjacent to the wedges and creating dams that trap water inside the resulting polygons. The features appear as high-rimmed ridges surrounding wet shallow central pools of water. Over hundreds or thousands of years, peat deposits build up and eventually create a dome-shaped surface; these features are referred to as high-centre polygons.NCNon-sorted circles, stripes - a non-sorted circle is a patterned ground form that is equidimensional in several directions, with a dominantly circular outline which lacks a well-defined border of stones and has a centre composed of a mixture of textures from fine through coarse mixed with gravels, cobbles and boulders. A network of non-sorted circles that meet is referred to as a non-sorted net. Non-sorted stripes form under the same influence of frost action as non-sorted circles, but because they form on slopes, they flow and elongate perpendicular to contour.PAPalsa -A peaty permafrost mound possessing a core of alternating layers of segregated ice and peat or mineral soil material. Palsas are typically between 1 and 7 metres in height and a few metres to 100 metres in diameter. PGPatterned ground - A general term for circles, polygons, stripes, nets and steps created by frost action.Permafrost FORM (cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONPIPingo - A mound of earth-covered ice found in the Arctic, Subarctic and Antarctica that can reach up to 70 metres in height and up to 2 kilometres in diameter. The term originated as the Inuit word for a small hill. They are most common in Canada along the coastal plains of the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. They form in the former basins of drained lakes. PPPeat plateau - A bog composed of perennially frozen peat, rising abruptly about 1 m from the surrounding unfrozen fen. The surface is relatively flat and even and often covers very large areas. The peat was originally deposited in a non-permafrost environment and is often associated with collapse scars or fens.PPPPolygonal peat plateau - A perennially frozen bog, rising about 1 m above the surrounding fen. The surface is relatively flat, scored by a polygonal pattern of trenches that developed over ice wedges. The permafrost and ice wedges developed in peat originally deposited in a non-permafrost environment. Polygonal peat plateaus are commonly found near the boundary between the zones of discontinuous and continuous permafrost.RRunnels - A pattern of alternating flow channels and interchannel uplands perpendicular to contour. In permafrost-affected areas, light and dark-striped patterns on hill slopes are runnels; the light stripes are usually sparsely treed, lichen covered interchannel areas with permafrost close to the surface and the dark stripes are shallow drainage channels vegetated by dwarf birch, willow and other shrubs with a thicker active layer.RGRock glaciers - ice-cored, often lobe-shaped landforms covered by soil and rock.RTRetrogressive thaw (or flow) slides - A slide that consists of a headwall containing ice or ice-rich sediment, which retreats in a retrogressive fashion through melting, and a debris flow formed by the mixture of thawed sediment and ice that has slid down the failure surface to the base of the slope and frequently into a thermokarst depression, lake, or pond. SCSorted circles, stripes - a sorted circle is permafrost-related patterned ground that forms under extremely cold conditions when frost action pushes parent materials to the surface; the centre of the circle is occupied by sparsely vegetated finer-textured materials, with a ring of gravels, cobbles and boulders around the outside. A network of sorted circles that meet is referred to as a sorted net. Sorted stripes form under the same influence of frost action as sorted circles, but because they form on slopes, they flow and elongate perpendicular to contour.SOSolifluction - the downslope movement of water-saturated soil in a viscous or plastic state over an impermeable layer, often permafrost. The presence of an impermeable permafrost layer prevents the internal drainage of the soil, forcing the soil to flow down the slope. During warm periods the surface layer thaws and slides across the frozen layer, slowly moving downslope due to frost heave.TKThermokarst -The process by which characteristic landforms result from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost or the melting of massive ice. TUTurf hummocks - a permafrost-related northern Arctic landform generally less than 1m across and 50cm in height that is often associated with aeolian materials (sands, silts). It is more or less circular and is initially forced upward by frost action. It receives solar energy from all sides during the 24-hour days of the brief growing season, promoting plant growth which traps windborne silt and sand particles, resulting in the gradual accretion of materials and growth of the hummock.VBVeneer bog - A bog occurring on gently sloping terrain underlain by generally discontinuous permafrost. Although drainage is predominantly below the surface, overland flow occurs in poorly defined drainage ways during peak runoff. Peat thickness is generally less than 1.5 metres.Soil developmentThree dataset attribute fields (Soil1, Soil2, Soil3) capture soil information from the written ecoregion descriptions. A subset of the soil table provided by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada was used, as many of the soil types in the full table do not occur in the NWT. As for surficial geology, the first and second variables (Soil1, Soil2) may be codominant or the second subordinate to the first. In some cases, a value for Soil1and Soil3was provided, with no value for Soil2. This indicates that Soil1is dominant, and Soil3is only present over minor areas within the ecoregion. The written descriptions should be consulted in cases where analysis requires a more specific assessment of proportion.Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONFGray LuvisolHGHumic GleysolHRHumic RegosolIBrunisol Gray LuvisolLGLuvic GleysolMEutric BrunisolOOrganic CryosolPDystric BrunisolRRegosolSStatic CryosolTTurbic CryosolUGleysolXFibrisolYMesisolZHumisol#Water, Rock or IceLand CoverThree attribute fields (Landcov1, Landcov2, Landcov3) capture vegetation information from the written descriptions. Because vegetation patterns are in part how ecoregions are described, there is considerable variation from one Level II ecoregion to another, and the 17 classes provided by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada were considered inadequate to represent significant vegetation trends. A review of all five documents consequently resulted in the establishment of specific attribute values for major vegetation types within the Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, and Cordillera. The Southern Arctic and Northern Arctic classifications are based mainly upon the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map community types (CAVM Team 2003) and are more consistently defined and described, but also had some unique values. Attribute values specific to each area are presented in tables below; to identify the types uniquely, they are prefaced with TP:(Taiga Plains), TS:(Taiga Shield), CO:(Cordillera), SA:(Southern Arctic) and NA:(Northern Arctic).Landcov1and Landcov2were generally used to capture the major vegetation types; if there was a significant vegetation type that did not occur over large areas but was considered diagnostic (e.g. alpine fir types in the southern mountains), it was included as Landcov3even if there were other vegetation communities that covered larger areas. The written descriptions should be consulted in cases where analysis requires a more specific assessment of proportion.LAND COVER (VEGETATION): TAIGA PLAINSAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONTP:F1Fen: SedgeTP:F2Fen: shrub-sedgeTP:F3Fen or bog: Black spruce - shrub - mossTP:F4Fen: Black spruce - larchTP:FC1Forest: Jackpine - shrub - lichenTP:FC2Forest: Jackpine - tall shrub - lichenTP:FC3Forest: Lodgepole and jackpine X lodgepole hybridTP:FC4Forest: White spruce - jack pineTP:FC5Forest: Spruce - lichenTP:FC6Forest: spruce-shrub (includes both black and white spruce)TP:FC7Forest: white spruceTP:FC8Forest: black spruce - shrub - lichenTP:FD1Forest: Deciduous (aspen, balsam poplar, paper birch)TP:FD2Forest: Paper birchTP:FM1Forest: Mixedwood jackpine - aspenTP:FM2Forest: Spruce - paper birch (includes white and black spruce)TP:FM3Forest: Mixedwood aspen - paper birch - spruce - jackpineTP:M1Marsh: bulrush - sedgeTP:M2Meadow: herb-grass-shrubTP:S1Shrubland: dwarf birch - dryland sedge - lichenTP:S2Shrubland: dwarf birch - Labrador tea - peat moss TP:S3Shrubland: dwarf birch - paper birch (post-fire regeneration). May include white spruce and black spruce regeneration, and may be one or both deciduous species.TP:S4Shrubland: dwarf birch - willowTP:S5Shrubland: lichen - Labrador tea - dwarf birch (polygonal peat plateaus)TP:S6Shrubland: willow-alderTP:S6Shrubland: willowTP:S7Shrubland: dryTP:TSTundra: ShrubTP:W1Woodland: White spruce - shrub-lichen woodlandTP:W2Woodland: Black spruce - low shrub- lichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): TAIGA SHELDAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONTS:F1Fen: sedge (including a minor component of shrubs)TS:F2Fen: shrub (including a minor component of sedges)TS:FC1Forest: Jackpine (may include minor paper birch, white spruce, black spruce)TS:FC2Forest: Spruce - moss (undifferentiated white and black spruce)TS:FC3Forest: Spruce - shrub - lichen (undifferentiated white and black spruce)TS:FD1Forest: DeciduousTS:FM1Forest: Mixedwood (any combination of aspen, balsam poplar, and birch with white spruce, black spruce, and jackpine)TS:FM2Forest: Mixedwood white spruce - paper birchTS:FM3Forest: Mixedwood jackpine - paper birchTS:NFLLichen on rockTS:S1Shrubland: Dwarf birch - paper birch (post-fire regeneration)TS:S2Shrubland: lichen - Labrador tea - dwarf birch (peat plateaus)TS:T1Tundra: lichen - grass heathTS:T2Tundra: sedgeTS:T3Tundra: shrub heathTS:T4Tundra: lichen-sedge-shrub complexTS:W1Woodland: White spruce - shrub - lichen TS:W2Woodland: Spruce - shrub - lichenTS:W3Woodland: Black spruce - lichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): CORDILLERAAttribute ValueDESCRIPTIONCO:F1Fen: Black spruce - (larch) - shrubCO:F2Fen: Sedge - cottongrass tussockCO:F3Fen: Shrub - sedgeCO:FC1Forest: JackpineCO:FC2Forest: lodgepole pineCO:FC3Forest: Spruce - shrubCO:FC4Forest: White spruceCO:FC5Forest: White spruce - alpine firCO:FD1Forest: Deciduous (aspen, balsam poplar, paper birch)CO:FM1Forest: Mixedwood (white spruce, aspen, jackpine, lodgepole pine)CO:FM2Forest: Mixedwood (spruce, balsam poplar, birch, tall shrub)CO:NFL1Lichen - RockCO:Rrock barrensCO:S1Shrubland: dwarf birch - willow - paper birch (post-fire regeneration)CO:S2Shrublands: Tall (alder, willow, birch)CO:S3Shrublands: DryCO:S4Shrublands: dwarf birch - willowCO:T1Tundra: herb (rich, diverse, Pacific-Cordilleran species)CO:T2Tundra: LichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): CORDILLERA (cont.)Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONCO:T3Tundra: Sedge - cottongrassCO:T4Tundra: sedge-shrubCO:T5Tundra: shrubCO:W1Woodland: alpine firCO:W2Woodland: black spruce - larch - mossCO:W3Woodland: black spruce - shrub - moss - lichenCO:W4Woodland: White spruce - alpine firCO:W5Woodland: White (black) spruce - shrub - lichenLAND COVER (VEGETATION): SOUTHERN ARCTIC*Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONSA:B1Cryptogam –herb barren SA:B2Cryptogam –barren complex (bedrock) SA:CMCoastal MarshSA:G2Graminoid –prostrate dwarf-shrub –forb tundraSA:G3Nontussock sedge –dwarf-shrub –moss tundraSA:G4Tussock-sedge –dwarf-shrub –moss tundra SA:P1Prostrate dwarf-shrub –herb tundraSA:S1Erect dwarf-shrub tundra SA:S2Low-shrub tundraSA:T1Tundra: lichen - grass heath (continuation of Taiga Shield)SA:T2Tundra: sedge (continuation of Taiga Shield)SA:T3Tundra: shrub heath (continuation of Taiga Shield)SA:TGTree groves / sparse tree growthSA:W2Sedge –moss –dwarf-shrub wetland SA:W3Sedge –moss –low-shrub wetland LAND COVER (VEGETATION): NORTHERN ARCTIC*Attribute ValueDESCRIPTIONNA:B1Cryptogam –herb barren NA:B2Cryptogam –barren complex (bedrock) NA:B3b-cNon-carbonate mountain complex NA:B4bCarbonate mountain complex NA:G1Rush –grass–forb –cryptogam tundra NA:G2Graminoid –prostrate dwarf-shrub –forb tundra NA:G3Nontussock sedge –moss –dwarf-shrub tundraNA:P1Prostrate dwarf-shrub –herb tundra NA:P2Prostrate/hemiprostrate dwarf-shrub tundraNA:S2Low-shrub tundra NA:W1Sedge –grass –moss wetland * the code values following SA: and NA: are those defined by the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (CAVM Team 2003), except for SA:T1, SA:T2, SA:T3 (continuation of Taiga Shield vegetation to the north) and SA:CM (coastal marshes of Mackenzie Delta, too small to address in the circumpolarmap survey.REFERENCES CITEDCAVM Team. 2003. Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map. (1:7,500,000 scale), Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Map No. 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.

Other Rare Plants (10)

Locations of globally rare plants (ranked G1 or G2 by Natureserve) in the Northwest Territories that are also ranked May Be at Risk by the NWT General Status Ranking program. Includes sites for Drummond bluebell, Raup's willow, and Banks Island alkali grass and a possible site for Mackenzie Hairgrass that requires verification. Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Note that hairy braya (Braya pilosa) and Nahanni Aster (Symphotrichum nahanniense) are also ranked G1 but are not shown because they have been assessed as a Species at Risk in NWT and/or Canada and therefore have their own range maps. Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Locations updated November 22, 2013 by Joanna Wilson. Shapefile modified to remove Nahanni Aster on February 19, 2015. One possible site for Mackenzie hairgrass (species identification requires verification) was added by Joanna Wilson on December 1, 2015. DRUMMOND BLUEBELL (Mertensia drummondii) locations from: 1. Porsild AE, and Cody WJ . 1980 . Vascular Plants of Continental Northwest Territories, Canada. 2. McJannet CL, Argus GW and Cody WJ . 1995 . Rare Vascular Plants in the Northwest Territories. 3. Cody et al. 1992. CFN 106(2):87-99. 4. Cody et al. 2003. CFN 117(3):448-465. 5. http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/rareguide/md1.html. RAUP'S WILLOW (Salix raupii) locations from: 1. McJannet CL, Argus GW and Cody WJ . 1995 . Rare Vascular Plants in the Northwest Territories. 2. Argus 1986. CFN 100(3):386-388. 3. Argus 1974. Can J Bot 52:1303-1304. BANKS ISLAND ALKALI GRASS (Puccinellia banksiensis) records were drawn from ENR's NWT Virtual Herbarium in November 2013. MACKENZIE HAIRGRASS The single Deschampsia mackenzieana is from Canadian Museum of Nature specimen 310905, collected at Old Fort Reliance on Great Slave Lake in 1927; the identification of this specimen requires verification therefore it is considered an unconfirmed record. Other specimens of this plant are from Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan and are not included in this shapefile; contact the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre.

Hairy Braya (12)

Known and possible range of the hairy braya (Braya pilosa). Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The range is based on information in the report Species at Risk Committee (2012) 'Species Status Report: Hairy Braya (Braya pilosa) in the Northwest Territories', which is available here: http://nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/pdf/Hairy_Braya_NWT_status_report_Dec_2012.pdf.The 'possible range' was mapped by ENR using satellite imagery. This area appears to contain additional unglaciated, inland dry terrain but has not yet been searched for hairy braya. Created by Joanna Wilson, Wildlife Biologist (Species at Risk), Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, in May 2013 with input from Suzanne Carriere.

Western Bumble Bee (15)

NWT Species range distribution for the Western Bumble Bee (Bombus occidentalis). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The approximate range of Bombus occidentalis was originally drawn by Jenny Wu (COSEWIC Secretariat) and Jennifer Heron (writer of COSEWIC status report) in June 2014. Shapefile was based on information in the COSEWIC 2014 status report on western bumble bee, including the maximum entropy habitat model, and geographic locations of specimens compiled by Leif Richardson for Williams et al 2014 (Bumble Bees of North America). Shapefile includes the ranges for the northern subspecies mckayi and the southern subspecies occidentalis. The boundary between the two subspecies is approximate. Note that only the northern subspecies mckayi is found in the NWT and the two subspecies have different status under species at risk. The Western Bumble Bee range was adapted for the NWT by Joanna Wilson and Bonnie Fournier (ENR) in August, 2014. The projection and metadata were updated but no changes were made to the range as originally mapped. Reviewed again in October 2015 but no changes made.

Western Toad (18)

NWT Species range distribution for Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Distribution of Western Toad in the Northwest Territories and Canada. Originally adapted from NatureServe 2002: NatureServe references: Stebbins 1985 and Blackburn et al. 2001. Edited to reflect new data from Danna Schock (ENR field work 2007), CFN 120:87-92, CARCNET, and NWT ENR Infobase. Range in Alberta verified by Kris Kendall (AB Conservation Assoc. - pers. com.) and data provided by Lisa Wilkinson (Gov of AB) and the Government of AB WMIS. Range in British Columbia verified by Laura Friis (Gov of BC - pers. com.). Range in Alaska verified by Sanjay Pyare (University of Alaska) and Blain Anderson (Gov of Alaska). Range in Yukon verified by CFN 120:87-92 and Brian Slough (Yukon Coordinator FrogWatch - pers. com.). This range was clipped to exclude glaciated areas. The NWT portion of the range was updated in December 2013 to follow the boundaries of the two NWT level 4 ecoregions with confirmed western toad records. The ecoregions are Liard Upland Mid-boreal and Liard Plain Mid-boreal (Ecosystem Classification Grop 2007 revised 2009). Slight changes to the range in northern B.C. and southeast Yukon were also made to align them with the new NWT range. Changes were reviewed with ENR biologists as well as Danna Shock, Doug Tate (Parks Canada), Brian Slough and Tom Jung (Yukon) and Purnima Govindarajulu (B.C.).

Shortjaw Cisco (21)

Possible point location (to be verified) for the Shortjaw Cisco (Coregonus zenithicus). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. This point location for Shortjaw Cisco (Todd 2003) is considered uncertain as the specimen can not be verified (Sawatzky, C.D., Michalak, D. Reist, J.D. Carmichael, T.J., Mandrak, N.E., Heuring, L.G. - 2007 - Distributions of freshwater and anadromous fishes from the mainland Northwest Territories, Canada. ; Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2793). This point location was provided in September 2009 to NWT by the DFO Species at Risk program. An additional polygon feature class is provided that shows the actual and estimated range of the Shortjaw Cisco in the Northwest Territories.

Northern Wolffish (23)

NWT Species range distribution for Northern Wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Polygons delineating sites where Northern Wolffish have been reported.This data is provided to NWT by the DFO Species at Risk program and contains polygons representing the actual or estimated range of listed Arctic species at risk. Updated April 01, 2014.

Bull Trout (25)

NWT Species range distribution for Bull Trout (Western Arctic Population) (Salvelinus confluentus). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Polygons delineating the range extent within which Bull Trout (Western Arctic Population) may be found.This data is provided to NWT by the DFO Species at Risk program and contains polygons representing the actual or estimated range of listed Arctic species at risk. Updated April 01, 2014.

Whooping Crane (28)

NWT Species range distribution and critical habitat for the Whooping Crane (Grus americana). Range map developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Critical habitat is as defined on sararegistry.gc.ca. The Whooping Crane range map has been compiled from the most current data as of November 2011 (Samuel Kennedy, CWS Yellowknife). The summer range only is depicted here.Extensive point observation data collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service helped to identify breeding ranges for Migratory Bird Species at Risk in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (Nature Serve, GNWT, NWT-NU Bird Checklist, Wildspace). Critical habitat is as defined on sararegistry.gc.ca.

Rusty Blackbird (30)

NWT Species range distribution for Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. This range was originally taken from NatureServe and was edited to fit CWS Recovery Secretariat GIS files (Canadian portion of the range only). Updated to include point locations from the NT/NU Bird Checklist. Data was provided from Nature Serve, GNWT, NWTNU Bird Checklist Data, Wildspace, and NCR in November 2011. Updated January 2016.

Red Knot (32)

NWT/NU Species range distribution for the Red Knot – rufa and islandica subspecies.Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable’ contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The Red Knot range map has been compiled from the most current data as of November 2011 by Paul Woodard, CWS Yellowknife. Extensive point observation data collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service helped to identify breeding ranges for Migratory Bird Species at Risk in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (Nature Serve, GNWT, NWT-NU Bird Checklist, Wildspace). This feature class shows the suspected division between the ranges of the two subspecies. A third subspecies of Red Knot roselaari is also a species at risk in Canada, however information as of February 2016 suggests it breeds in Alaska and Russia and only occurs in Canada, in small numbers, during migration at a few minor stopover sites.

Olive-sided Flycatcher (34)

NWT Species range distribution for the Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable’ contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The Olive-sided Flycatcherrange map was adapted to fit the COSEWIC status report, with additional input courtesy of Paul Woodard, CWS Yellowknife (2012). Extensive point observation data collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service helped to identify breeding ranges for Migratory Bird Species at Risk in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (Nature Serve, GNWT, NWT-NU Bird Checklist, Wildspace).

Ivory Gull (36)

NWT/NU Species - locations of colonies and historical colonies for the Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable’ contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The Ivory Gull information on the locations of colonies and historical colonieshas been compiled from the most current data as of October 2014. Extensive point observation data collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service helped to identify breeding ranges for Migratory Bird Species at Risk in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (Nature Serve, GNWT, Wildspace, B. Young, M. Mallory). Note that there is an additional polygon feature class for Ivory Gull that shows the range of Occasional Migrants.

Eskimo Curlew (38)

NWT/NU Species - historical range distribution for the Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable’ contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The Eskimo Curlewhistorical range map was compiled by Samuel Kennedy (2007) and later edited by Paul Woodard CWS Yellowknife (2012). This is the estimated historic range of the Eskimo Curlew. This bird is probably extinct. Last sighting was 23 individuals in Texas in 1981. There was one possible sighting in the NWT in 1992.

Canada Warbler (40)

Designated by Federal Species at Risk Registry, this range depicts the distribution for the Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) in the Northwest Territories. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable’ contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The range map has been compiled from the most current data as of December 2015. Extensive point observation data collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service helped to identify breeding ranges for Migratory Bird Species at Risk in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (Nature Serve, GNWT, Wildspace, Reviewed by B. Young, 2002, Ebird 2014, S. Hache & R. Pankratz, 2014)

Barn Swallow (42)

The range map has been compiled from the most current data as of December 2015. Extensive point observation data collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service helped to identify breeding ranges for Migratory Bird Species at Risk in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (Nature Serve, GNWT, Wildspace, NWT-NU Bird Checklist Survey, 2009, L. Armer & C. Machtans, 2009, Ebird 2014).

Wood Bison (45)

Range distribution for Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) in the Northwest Territories. Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Adapted from files provided from the National Wood Bison Recovery Team. Individual populations/subpopulations are identified. Status of populations (diseased, free-ranging and captive) are identified. 'Free-ranging' also indicates disease-free, i.e. that the herd is free from bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. NWT ranges were edited to reflect new data from Dehcho, North Slave, and South Slave Regions and Regional Biologists in August 2012. South Slave region populations were updated on September, 2013. The Nyarling population was updated in December 2013 based on input from Terry Armstrong (ENR). Updated by Bonnie Fournier, GIS and Wildlife Data Specialist, Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories.

Polar Bear (47)

NWT Species range distribution for Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. NWT Species range distribution for Polar Bear. The range is only valid for North America because of projection issues near the North Pole region. This occupancy range was created in 2008, adapted from the COSEWIC status report.It was reviewed for the Species at Risk Committee (2012) status report on polar bear and the range was adjusted to include Coronation Gulf, NU. This change was brought through to the NWT range map on the advice of Marsha Branigan (ENR Inuvik) in June 2014.

Northern Myotis (49)

NWT Species range distribution for Northern Myotis (bat), Myotis septentrionalis. Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The northern myotis range for the Northwest Territories was created in 2012. It was adapted from NatureServe 2002 and edited to reflect data from NWT ENR Infobase 2012. It was updated in January 2014 by Joanna Wilson and Bonnie Fournier (ENR). 2014 updates were to reflect data from the manuscript, Wilson et al (in prep.) Diversity and Distribution of bats in the Northwest Territories. Revisions were reviewed with Cori Lausen, Jesika Reimer, Parks Canada staff (Doug Tate and Sharon Irwin), ENR staff (Danny Allaire, Suzanne Carriere, Rob Gau, Iga Stasiak, Michelle Swallow, Dean Cluff) and Donna Bigelow (Environment Canada). Updated 9 November 2015 by Jesika Reimer (Alaska Natural Heritage Program) and Joanna Wilson (ENR) - at that time the western expansion was sent to staff of B.C., Alberta and Yukon governments for review. Prince Edward Island was added to the range in February 2016 based on information from the draft national recovery strategy and R. Barclay pers. comm.

Little Brown Myotis (51)

Point location of a single record for Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) that is thought to be an extra-limital record. Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. A Little Brown Myotis specimen was collected October 3, 2012 in Colville Lake NWT by Stephanie Berens (ENR - Sahtu Region). Species identification by Joanna Wilson (ENR). As of Jan 2016 this was the northernmost bat recorded in North America. The northernmost limit of Little Brown Myotis range in the NWT is not well known but this single record from Colville Lake is thought to be extra-limital. There is also a separate polygon feature class that shows the distribution range of Little Brown Myotis.

Grizzly Bear (53)

NWT Species range distribution for Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos). Includes the range and areas of increased presence. Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. This is the distribution (range and areas of increased presence) of the Western population of grizzly bear; the Ungava population is extinct. The range for all of North America is shown. The grizzly bear range for the Northwest Territories was dramatically altered from data provided by NatureServe 2007. NatureServe reference is Hall 1981. NWT range was developed by ENR HQ (Rob Gau) and comments from ENR Regional Biologists (Marsha Branigan, Alasdair Veitch, and Nic Larter) with additional input from the WMAC (NWT) and Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok HTCs in 2012. Nunavut range developed with Matthieu Dumond and Malik Awan (Government of Nunavut). Additional 2012 updates: BC range developed from files provided by Byron Woods (Government of BC). AB range developed from files provided by Nathan Webb (Government of AB). MB range developed from files provided by William Watkins (Government of MB).

Dolphin and Union Caribou (55)

NWT Species range distribution for Dolphin and Union caribou (barren-ground caribou, Dolphin and Union population; Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus x pearyi). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. The Dolphin-Union caribou range was derived from the COSEWIC status report, COSEWIC Designatable Units report, review of archived survey data and observations, collared animal locations, and edited to incorporate comments from Wendy Wright & John Nagy (ENR), and Mathieu Dumond (Government of Nunavut)in 2012. Input from the WMAC (NWT) and the Ulukhaktok and Paulatuk HTCs were adopted.It was updated in April 2012 by Rob Gau and Bonnie Fournier (ENR) with input from Mathieu Dumond (Government of Nunavut), using information in the draft NWT Status Report on Dolphin and Union Caribou. The northeast peninsula on Victoria island was added as well as some small islands, and sea ice was included as part of the range.

Bowhead Whale (57)

NWT Species range distribution for the Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus). Developed for ENR/EC joint Species at Risk in the NWT booklet. Range maps are approximate and are not intended for legal use. The supplementary table BIO_ENR_WFE_SARA_AttributeTable contains additional attribute information for this species and its status and range. Polygons delineating the range extent within which Bowhead Whales may be found.This data is provided to NWT by the DFO Species at Risk program and contains polygons representing the actual or estimated range of listed Arctic species at risk. Updated January, 2016.

Wood Bison_IWA (60)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Unique Areas (62)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Peary and Dolphin Union Caribou_IWA (64)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Muskox_IWA (66)

Areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories.

Mountain Goat_IWA (68)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Mineral Lick Density (70)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Lynx_IWA (72)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Dall Sheep_IWA (74)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Barren Ground Caribou_IWA (76)

These data are for areas important to wildlife in the western Northwest Territories. The areas are based on discussions during 2006 to 2009 with communities, co-management boards, departmental staff, and others as well as review of available reports. Using specific criteria, key wildlife habitat areas were identified for barren-ground caribou, mountain woodland caribou, Peary caribou, Dolphin-Union caribou, Dall’s sheep, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wood bison, beaver, grizzly bear, polar bear, lynx, marten, muskrat, western toad, and peregrine falcon. Unique areas including warm and hot springs and mineral licks that are important for multiple species were also identified. The methodology, rationale, supporting information and maps are provided in Wilson and Haas (2012).

Wetlands - 0-100k scale (80)

Wooded Area - 0-100k scale (83)

Map Code Annotation (87)