The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak is located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut within the Canadian Arctic. [1] It is the namesake of the Koukdjuak River in western Baffin Island on the southeastern coast of Foxe Basin. It stretches from Cory Bay to Hantzsch Bay, and then inland. [2]
The plain is about 120 mi (190 km) long, 60–90 mi (97–145 km) wide [3] and has an area of 15,777.98 km2 (6,091.91 sq mi). [4] It is characterized as a broad, flat, water-logged lowland with a tidal zone that may extend as far as 15 km (9.3 mi) inland. [4] The Plain's boundaries include raised beach ridges 25–80 km (16–50 mi) inland and granite outcrops to the south. Its tundra covers clay soils, limestone and shale bedrock. [4]
It is notable for migratory bird and wildlife ( Barren-ground caribou crossing) habitat. The plain supports the largest goose colony in the world. It is a breeding ground or habitat for lesser snow geese, Canada geese, long-tailed ducks, king eider, common eider, and Atlantic brant. It is a natural habitat for shorebirds, such as the red phalarope. [4] It is classified as an Important Bird Area, an International Biological Program designated site and a Key Habitat Site. [4]
- Dewey Soper Migratory Bird Sanctuary (federal)
- Ramsar Site ( Wetland of International Significance)
- Bowman Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
- ^ "Great Plain of the Koukdjuak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- ^ Canadian Hydrographic Service (1978). Sailing directions: Arctic Canada. Vol. 1. Canadian Government Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 0-660-11230-2.
- ^ "Koukdjuak, Great Plain of the". The Columbia Gazetteer of North America. 2000. Archived from the original on December 7, 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- ^ a b c d e "Great Plain of the Koukdjuak". IBA Canada. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2008-01-30.