Produce a module summary on Arctic Norths region. This summary should highlight the major processes and landforms found in each region, and can be used as a review tool for the final exam. Summary sh

Page%|%1%%%MODULE'4:'ARCTIC'NORTH'UNIT'4:'HUMAN'ASPECTS'Slide%1:%Welcome%final%unit%on%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region.%%In%this%unit,%we%are%going%to%examine%the%human%aspects%of%this%physiographic%region%by%focusing%on%the%natural%resources%and%National%Parks%found%in%the%region.%%Additional%readings%on%the%human%aspects%of%the%natural%environment%in%the%Interior%Plains%are%provided%in%the%supplementary%information%included%with%this%module.%%Slide%2:%As%we%have%done%in%the%previous%two%physiographic%regions,%we%will%begin%discussing%the%human%aspects%of%the%Arctic%North%region%by%examining%the%natural%resources%located%in%the%region.%%These%include,%but%are%not%limited%to%the%forestry,%agriculture,%fisheries,%mining%and%water%resources.%%In%addition%to%discussing%the%natural%resources%within%the%region,%I%will%try%to%put%these%resources%in%perspective%with%respect%to%Canada%overall,%as%well%the%other%physiographic%region.%We%will%begin%our%discussion%by%examining%mining%and%minerals%within%the%Arctic%North.%%%%Slide%3:%Minerals%and%mining%have%played%an%important%role%in%the%natural%resources%and%economy%of%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region.%%Minerals%such%as%gold,%uranium,%copper,%zinc%and%lead%are%found%throughout%the%region.%%Mining%of%these%minerals%has%been%occurring%for%the%past%three%decades,%and%is%still%today%one%of%the%main%industries%within%the%region.%%The%table%on%this%slide%lists%three%of%the%main%mines%that%have%been%in%operation%in%the%Arctic%North%region%(some%are%no%longer%in%operation),%the%mineral%or%minerals%the%mines%have%been%mining%and%the%amount%of%production.%%As%you%can%see%from%the%numbers,%minerals%like%lead,%zinc%and%gold%have%been%mined%in%large%numbers.%%The%final%mine%listed%(the%Izok%Corridor%project%on%Bathurst%Island)%is%proposed%and%will%(if%it%becomes%operational)%mine%copper%and%zinc.%%This%mine,%like%the%others%listed,%is%expected%to%produce%a%significant%amount%of%these%minerals%on%a%yearly%basis.%%Similar%projects,%mining%other%minerals,%have%been%scheduled%to%open%or%are%being%proposed%throughout%the%Arctic%North%region.%%%% Page%|%2%%%Slide%4:%Like%minerals%and%mining,%oil%and%gas%are%another%important%natural%resource%in%the%Arctic%North.%%Currently,%1.7%billion%barrels%of%oil%and%880%billion%cubic%meters%of%gas%have%already%been%discovered%in%Canada’s%north.%It%is%estimated%by%the%federal%government%and%oil%and%gas%companies%that%the%region%may%contain%25%%and%33%%of%Canada’s%remaining%oil%and%gas%reserves,%respectively.%%The%Archipelago%(or%islands%in%Canada’s%North)%is%thought%to%contain%over%480%billion%cubic%meters%of%recoverable%gas,%which%represents%about%three%years%worth%of%total%gas%production%in%Canada.%%More%natural%gas%is%thought%to%exist%in%the%region,%however%this%is%unrecoverable%due%to%ice%conditions%and%other%physical%barriers.%%With%climate%change%and%the%potential%impacts%to%the%Arctic%region,%some%of%this%natural%resource%may%become%recoverable,%increasing%the%potential%for%exploration%and%extraction.%%Another%important%region%is%the%Mackenzie%DeltaWBeaufort%Sea%Basin.%%This%region%has%seen%significant%increases%in%exploration%and%extraction%of%petroleum%resources%in%the%past%few%decades.%%However,%exploration%of%these%resources%is%still%at%a%relatively%early%stage.%%Less%than%2000%wells%have%been%drilled%in%the%region,%compared%to%more%than%150,000%in%Alberta.%%More%information%on%the%petroleum%resources%in%this%area%can%be%found%in%the%focus%box%in%the%supplementary%information%for%this%unit.%%Slide%5:%As%discussed%in%the%previous%slide,%one%of%the%main%natural%resources%found%in%the%Arctic%North%is%oil%and%gas%reserve%however,%compared%to%other%regions,%extraction%has%been%slow.%%Some%of%the%potential%challenges%to%both%petroleum%and%mineral%exploration%and%extraction%are%climate,%infrastructure,%economics%and%environment.%%The%climate%of%the%Arctic%North%region,%as%discussed%in%a%previous%unit%is%quite%harsh,%with%cold%temperatures%and%limited%precipitation,%as%well%as%limited%daylight%for%a%large%part%of%the%year.%%These%climatic%factors%limit%the%ability%of%people%and%machinery%to%work%to%extract%these%natural%resources.%%In%order%to%extract%and%minerals%and%petroleum%out%of%a%locale,%infrastructure%such%as%roads,%railroads,%airports,%etc.%must%be%in%place.%%In%the%Arctic%North%region,%this%infrastructure%is%not%in%place%and%if%it%exists,%the%level%of%the%infrastructure%needed%to%transport%the%material,%for%instance%the%condition%and%composition%of%the%roads,%is%inadequate%for%the%heavy%machinery.%%As%well,%the%low%population%density%of%the%region%means%that%the%materials%that%are%being%mined%or%extracted%are%typically%away%from%population%centers,%therefore%it%requires%people%to%move%to%other%locations%without%the%proper%infrastructure%(such%as%running%water,%waste%removal,%etc.).%%The%cost%or%economics%around%this%development%is%much%greater%in%the%Arctic%North%region%compared%to%other%regions%such%as%the%Interior%Plains.%%Currently,%the%costs%related%to%the%exploration%and%extraction%of%the%natural%resources%is%greater%than%the%money%recovered%from%selling%the%product.%%Finally,%the%environment%may%limit%the%extraction%of%the%natural%resources.%%For%instance,%a%large%amount%of%oil%and%gas%is%found%offshore%in%regions%that%are%covered%with%sea%ice.%%This%platform%is%not%stable%and%may%either%move%with%the%winds%and%ocean%currents,%or%may%undergo%significant%melt%in%the%spring%and%summer%seasons.%%The%dynamics%of%this%feature%makes%extraction%quite%difficult%(if%possible%at%all)%and%would%ultimately%increase%the%costs%associated%with%the%development%of%these%products.%%%%%% Page%|%3%%%Slide%6:%The%Arctic%North,%as%you%can%see%in%a%map%of%the%region,%is%composed%of%many%large%and%small%islands%with%numerous%waterways%between%the%lands.%%This%configuration%and%presence%of%water%has%resulted%in%the%presence%of%both%freshwater%and%marine%fish%species.%%The%table%on%this%slide%lists%the%number%of%freshwater%and%marine%fish%species%found%in%three%regions%of%the%Arctic%North%region%–%the%Beaufort%Sea,%Archipelago%and%Baffin%Bay.%%The%Beaufort%Sea%represents%the%western%region,%the%Archipelago%the%central%and%the%Baffin%Bay%region%the%southeastern%section.%%As%you%can%see%from%the%numbers%in%the%table,%there%are%more%marine%species%than%freshwater%species%due%to%the%higher%presence%of%seawater%compared%to%lakes%and%rivers.%%As%well,%the%number%of%marine%species%decreases%as%one%moves%northward%and%westwards%with%the%Beaufort%Sea%region%having%the%fewest%number%of%marine%species.%%Freshwater%species%increase%westward%where%there%are%large%islands%with%lakes%and%rivers.%%The%large%islands%in%eastern%Arctic%are%covered%with%glaciers%as%we%discussed%in%the%previous%unit%and%thus%do%not%contain%a%lot%of%fish%species.%%There%is%also%evidence%that%the%number%of%fish%species%is%remaining%stable%or%increasing,%especially%in%the%northern%areas%of%the%physiographic%region.%%The%total%fish%species%in%Beaufort%Sea%region%in%2012%has%increased,%as%indicated%in%the%table.%%This%change%may%be%due%to%invasive%species%and%climate%change%impacts%to%the%environment.%%%Slide%7:%As%briefly%discussed%in%the%previous%slide,%water%is%a%significant%natural%resource%in%the%Arctic%North%region.%%One%important%components%of%water%on%the%terrestrial%environment%is%the%occurrence%of%wetlands.%%Wetlands%are%important%habitat%for%migratory%birds%such%as%the%Canada%goose,%for%instance.%%Areas%of%the%Arctic%North%region%have%significant%amounts%of%wetlands%as%shown%on%the%map%on%this%slide.%%Areas%of%significant%wetlands%can%be%found%in%the%western%Arctic,%as%well%as%just%off%the%mainland.%%Slide%8:%Nunavut,%which%makes%up%the%majority%of%the%Arctic%North%region,%contains%a%significant%amount%of%freshwater.%%Approximately%21%percent%of%the%Canada’s%freshwater%can%be%found%in%this%territory.%%This%water%is%located%in%the%many%lakes%and%large%rivers%that%flow%in%this%province%(such%as%Lake%Hazen)%and%in%the%many%glaciers%that%can%be%found%primarily%in%the%eastern%area%of%the%province.%%One%of%the%main%rivers%that%flow%in%the%Arctic%North%region%is%the%Mackenzie%River.%%This%river%has%an%annual%discharge%of%over%325%cubic%kilometers,%the%largest%in%Canada%and%one%of%the%largest%in%the%world.%%The%water%flowing%in%this%river%comes%from%a%drainage%area%of%over%1.8%million%square%kilometers%or%20%%of%Canada.%%This%discharge%and%drainage%basin%is%important%for%the%hydrology%of%the%area%(moving%significant%amounts%of%freshwater%into%a%marine%environment),%as%well%as%the%biology%of%the%region%(for%instance%may%be%a%factor%controlling%habitat%selection%by%different%whale%species%in%the%area).%%%%%% Page%|%4%%%Slide%9:%The%final%natural%resources%we%will%discuss%are%forestry%and%agriculture.%%As%we%discussed%in%previous%modules,%both%of%these%resources%are%important%for%the%Western%Cordillera%and%Interior%Plains%physiographic%regions%(as%well%as%the%other%regions%we%will%discuss%next%term),%however%no%significant%forestry%or%farming%occurs%in%the%Arctic%North.%%This%is%due%to%large%part%to%the%climate%and%soils%in%the%region.%%The%harsh%climate%and%cryosolic%soils%are%not%conducive%to%the%production%of%significant%vegetation.%%While%vegetation%has%adapted%to%the%soil%and%climate%of%the%region%(as%we%discussed%in%previous%units),%the%environment%cannot%sustain%enough%vegetation%to%make%these%resources%a%significant%factor%in%the%region.%%%%Slide%10:%We%are%now%going%to%shift%our%focus%to%examine%national%parks%within%the%Arctic%North%region.%%As%we%discussed%in%a%previous%module,%the%establishment%of%a%national%park%is%to%promote%ecological%integrity%by%preserving%and%maintaining%a%natural%environment,%in%terms%of%the%flora%and%fauna%native%to%a%region.%%%%Slide%11:%The%Arctic%North%physiographic%region%has%six%national%parks%W%three%in%the%western%section%and%three%in%the%eastern.%%In%addition,%these%parks%can%be%found%in%the%northern%and%southern%areas%of%the%region.%%The%size%of%the%parks%are%relatively%large%(compared%to%the%parks%found%in%the%previous%physiographic%regions)%with%areas%ranging%from%over%4,300%square%kilometers%to%more%than%37,000%square%kilometers.%%The%current%names%of%these%national%parks%are%in%the%traditional%language%of%the%region%and%some%of%them%have%changed%names%over%time%(from%an%English%name%to%a%more%traditional%name).%%%%%Slide%12:%The%first%national%park%in%the%Arctic%North%region%that%we%will%discuss%is%the%Ivvavik%National%Park.%%This%park%is%located%in%the%northwestern%corner%of%the%region%and%borders%the%Vuntut%national%park%to%the%north%(as%you%can%see%in%the%map%on%this%slide).%%This%is%the%first%national%park%in%Canada%to%be%created%as%a%result%of%an%aboriginal%land%claim%agreement.%%The%Inuvialuit%Indigenous%peoples%gave%the%area%that%is%now%the%National%park%to%the%Canadian%Government,%which%formalized%it%as%a%national%park%in%1985.%%It%is%believed%that%people%inhabited%the%area%of%the%current%park%over%8000%years%ago,%and%part%of%the%mandate%for%the%park%is%to%preserve%and%maintain%the%historical%sites%and%lifestyle%of%the%Inuvialuit%people,%as%well%as%the%previous%cultures%such%as%the%Thule.%%%%%% Page%|%5%%%Slide%13:%The%geology%and%topography%of%the%Ivvavik%National%Park%ranges%from%high%mountains%to%broad%river%valleys,%and%tundra%to%Arctic%coast%environments.%%The%geological%history%of%the%park%suggests%that%around%450%million%years%ago,%the%park%was%under%a%large%ocean.%%After%that%period,%significant%motion%of%the%Earth’s%crust%resulted%in%the%collision%of%the%crust%and%the%formation%of%mountain%ranges.%%This%park%is%underlain%by%sedimentary%rocks%of%limestone,%sandstone%and%shale,%formed%from%material%deposited%on%the%ocean%bottom%or%by%rivers%that%flowed%within%the%areas.%%Fossils,%such%as%corals%and%skeletons%of%marine%mammals%can%be%found%in%the%sedimentary%rocks.%%%Three%main%topographic%features%that%are%biWproducts%of%the%geological%history%exist%within%the%park:%the%British%mountains,%the%Firth%river%and%a%coastal%plain.%%The%British%Mountains%(as%shown%on%top%photo%on%this%slide)%make%up%the%majority%of%the%national%park,%covering%about%two%thirds%of%the%park’s%area.%%The%height%of%these%mountains%extends%to%more%than%1,680%meters%above%sea%level%and%become%more%rugged%from%east%to%west.%These%mountains,%along%with%mountains%ranges%in%Alaska%and%other%parts%of%northern%Yukon%were%not%glaciated%during%the%past%glacial%period%and%thus%may%have%been%a%refuge%for%plants%and%animals%during%that%period.%%The%lack%of%glaciers%has%resulted%in%a%number%of%nonWglaciated%landforms%found%in%the%area,%such%as%VWshaped%valleys%(typical%of%fluvial%dominated%environments)%and%conical%hills.%%%The%Firth%River%is%one%of%three%large%rivers%(the%other%being%the%Babbage%and%Malcolm%rivers)%to%flow%through%the%British%Mountains%in%a%southwest%to%northeast%direction.%%This%river%flows%from%Margaret%Lake%(located%near%the%Alaskan%border)%northward%to%the%Beaufort%Sea%and%is%over%130%kilometers%long.%%The%Firth%River,%as%you%can%see%in%the%photo%on%this%slide,%is%found%in%a%VWshaped%valley,%and%the%valley%has%a%rich%variety%of%wildlife.%Towards%the%coast%of%the%Beaufort%Sea,%the%Ivvavik%National%Park%is%composed%of%a%coastal%plain,%with%flat%to%rolling%topography.%%In%the%east,%the%width%of%the%plain%is%approximately%30%kilometers,%while%to%the%west%the%plain%becomes%narrow%and%extends%only%10%kilometers.%%Glacial%deposits%of%sedimentary%material%from%the%last%ice%age%can%be%found%along%the%coastal%plain.%%Today,%sea%ice%in%the%winter,%as%well%as%wind%and%waves%in%the%summer%influence%the%topography%of%the%coastal%plain.%%%Due%to%the%cold%temperatures%year%round%experienced%in%the%Arctic%North%region%and%more%specifically%in%this%national%park,%permafrost%is%a%significant%factor%when%discussing%the%geology%and%topography%of%the%region.%%As%we%discussed%in%a%previous%unit,%permanently%frozen%ground%or%permafrost%will%produce%distinct%topographic%features%on%the%landscape,%and%these%features%can%be%found%in%the%Ivvavik%National%Park.%%%%%% Page%|%6%%%Slide%14:%The%vegetation%found%in%the%Ivvavik%National%park%is%a%product%of%the%environmental%conditions%in%the%region%–%conditions%we%discussed%in%previous%slides%and%units.%%These%conditions%include%permafrost%or%the%thickness%of%the%active%layer%that%forms%on%permanently%frozen%ground%(which%influences%the%type%and%condition%of%the%soils%in%the%region),%the%moisture%availability%(in%this%region%the%small%amount%of%precipitation%that%falls%in%the%region%on%a%monthly%basis);%the%large%seasonal%variation%in%day%length%–%ranging%from%complete%darkness%to%complete%daylight%during%the%year;%low%air%temperatures%throughout%the%year%with%long,%cold%winters%and%cool%summers;%and%long%lasting%snow%cover%that%can%become%very%deep%due%to%wind%transport.%%%These%environmental%conditions,%along%with%the%geological%and%topographic%features%discussed%in%the%previous%slide,%create%three%main%vegetation%zones%in%the%Ivvavik%National%Park.%%The%first%occurs%in%areas%with%low%permafrost,%where%the%active%layer%can%reach%greater%depths%in%the%surface.%%Vegetation%such%as%avens,%lichens,%low%trees%(for%instance%willows),%herbs%and%low%shrubs%(for%instance%blueberries%and%cloudberries)%can%form%in%these%regions.%%The%second%zone%of%vegetation%is%the%coastal%plain.%%The%vegetation%in%this%zone%is%affected%by%the%proximity%to%the%ocean%and%permafrost.%%These%conditions%create%an%environment%where%sedges,%willows%and%berries%can%flourish.%%In%the%south,%the%river%valleys%create%conditions%that%favour%the%development%of%white%spruce%and%balsam%trees,%as%well%as%tundra%lupine%and%fireweed.%%%%Slide%15:%The%Ivvavik%National%Park%was%established%to%protect%the%natural%habitat%of%the%Porcupine%caribou%herd.%%This%species%relies%on%the%vegetation%in%the%region%as%its%natural%food%source.%%Historically%the%area%that%is%now%the%national%park%has%been%part%of%the%migratory%pattern%of%the%caribou.%%This%species%migrates%from%the%forested%valleys%of%the%northWcentral%Yukon%to%the%Beaufort%Coast%where%their%traditional%calving%grounds%are%located.%The%flora%and%topography%of%the%National%Park%also%influences%the%fauna%present.%%Other%mammals%such%as%various%species%of%bears%including%polar%bears,%grizzly%bears%and%black%bears,%muskox%and%arctic%ground%squirrels%can%be%found%in%the%national%park.%%The%rivers,%including%the%Firth%River%are%important%spawning%areas%for%Arctic%char.%%Other%common%fish%species%in%the%park%include%the%Arctic%grayling%and%Dolly%Varden%char.%%Birds%also%utilize%the%park%as%their%habitat.%%Some%species,%such%as%the%golden%plover%and%yellow%wagtail,%use%the%park%as%part%of%their%migratory%route%(utilizing%the%park%in%the%summer%period),%while%other%species%such%as%the%ptarmigan%and%snowy%owl%are%permanent%residents%within%the%park.%%Snow%geese%can%also%be%found%in%the%park%in%the%fall,%using%the%numerous%lakes%that%are%found%along%the%coastal%plain%as%a%resting%place%during%their%journey%from%the%Arctic%islands%to%southern%Canada%and%beyond.%%%%%%% Page%|%7%%%Slide%16:%The%second%park%in%the%Arctic%North%region%we%will%discuss%is%the%Aulavik%National%Park.%%This%park%is%located%in%the%north%area%of%Banks%Island,%and%occupies%almost%a%fifth%of%the%island.%%It%has%an%area%of%over%12%thousand%square%kilometers.%%There%is%evidence%that%humans%utilized%the%area%within%what%is%now%the%park%for%more%than%3400%years.%%It%is%in%an%area%that%is%considered%a%polar%desert,%with%low%precipitation%values%year%round%and%high%winds,%which%create%windswept%tundra%and%valleys.%%%%Slide%17:%A%number%of%geological%and%topographic%features%make%the%Aulavik%National%Park%unique.%%One%of%these%features%is%the%Thomsen%River%valley.%%This%river%valley%is%a%juxtaposition%of%features%–%containing%rugged%landscape,%and%the%Thomsen%River,%a%serene%and%gently%winding%river%(one%of%the%most%northerly%navigable%rivers%in%the%world).%%The%Inuit%in%the%region%have%utilized%this%river%valley%for%thousands%of%years.%%Coal%seams%can%also%be%found%in%the%park.%%These%seams%blacken%the%hills%of%the%island%and%chunks%of%coal%can%be%found%along%the%bays.%%In%the%northwestern%part%of%the%park,%the%topography%consists%of%limestone%cliffs%that%extend%out%several%hundred%meters%from%M’Clure%Strait.%%%The%cliffs%eventually%become%gently%undulating%hills%as%one%moves%southward%into%the%park.%%Two%major%bays%can%be%found%along%the%northern%edge%of%the%park%–%Castel%Bay%and%Mercy%Bay%to%the%east.%%These%bays%are%located%approximately%20%kilometers%apart.%%%%Slide%18:%Due%to%its%location%and%environmental%conditions,%the%Aulavik%National%Park%is%completely%treeless%with%limited%vegetation.%%Dwarf%tundra%shrubs,%willows%and%alder%grow%in%the%park,%however%due%to%thin%soil%conditions,%they%do%not%grow%more%than%a%few%centimeters%in%height.%%In%the%southern%sections%of%the%park,%uplands%dominate%the%landscape%and%these%areas%have%sparse%vegetation.%%Wetlands%are%also%found%in%the%park%with%vegetation%consisting%of%summer%sedge,%cottongrass%and%mosses.%%The%vegetation%in%the%park%that%does%exist%is%dominated%by%flowering%plants%with%more%than%150%species%present.%%These%species%have%a%short%growing%cycle%(of%just%10%weeks)%and%have%adapted%to%the%conditions%by%growing%close%to%the%ground,%producing%cupped%petals%and%shallow%roots.%%%%%% Page%|%8%%%Slide%19:%Even%though%the%Aulavik%National%Park%has%a%limited%vegetation%cover,%a%number%of%terrestrial%mammals%can%be%found%in%the%park.%%The%park%has%the%highest%concentration%of%muskox%on%Earth,%with%a%population%within%the%park%estimated%to%be%at%around%15%thousand%animals.%%Peary%caribou%(an%endangered%species)%and%barrenWground%caribou%can%also%be%found%in%the%park,%passing%through%the%park%to%their%wintering%and%summer%calving%grounds.%%The%presence%of%the%muskoxen%and%caribou%make%the%park%an%important%biological%sanctuary.%%Other%mammals%found%in%the%park%include%lemmings,%arctic%fox%and%arctic%wolves.%%%Due%to%its%location%along%the%M’Clure%Strait,%marine%mammals%are%also%found%in%close%proximity%to%the%national%park.%%These%mammals%include%ringed%and%bearded%seals,%as%well%as%beluga%whales.%As%with%the%Ivvalvik%National%Park,%a%number%of%resident%and%migratory%bird%species%utilize%the%Aulavik%National%Park.%%Ptarmigans,%snow%owls%and%ravens%are%the%only%birds%that%make%this%park%their%home%yearWround.%%Other%bird%species%such%as%the%peregrine%falcon%and%hawks%(which%are%common%birds%of%prey%in%the%park)%and%sandhill%cranes%and%terns%use%the%park%on%a%seasonal%basis.%%%%Slide%20:%This%concludes%the%module%on%the%Arctic%North.%%Please%use%the%resources%in%the%supplementary%information%to%enhance%your%learning%with%respect%to%this%physiographic%region.%Following%that,%you%should%now%complete%the%onWline%quiz%and%module%summary.%%%This%term%we%have%examined%the%geology%and%topography;%climate%and%glaciers;%soils,%flora%and%fauna%and%human%aspects%of%three%physiographic%regions%in%Canada%–%Western%Cordillera,%Interior%Plains%and%now%the%Arctic%North.%I%hope%you%have%learned%about%these%regions,%as%well%as%enjoyed%the%lectures.%%If%you%have%any%questions%about%these%three%regions,%please%let%your%instructor%know.%%Next%term%we%will%discuss%the%three%remaining%physiographic%regions%–%the%Canadian%Shield,%Great%Lakes%–%St.%Lawrence%Lowlands%and%Appalachian%regions.%%%%