An Arctic Forest in the Tundra of Northern Ungava, Quebec

Abstract

A willow thicket dominated by Salix planifolia and S. alaxensis, is located in a 1500-ft-deep glaciated valley at the southwest end of Watts Lake, 32 mi south of Deception Bay. This "forest" forms a solid green canopy at 12 ft and contains some trees of almost 16 ft height. It grows in deep, well-drained soils (here named arctic thicket type) developed on poorly sorted sand, gravel, pebbles and cobbles, mainly of schist. A flora of 67 species of vascular plants (here listed) have been found in the area, all but two of which are arctic species. The two exceptions are wide-ranging boreal and subarctic species. For so many arctic species to be capable of growing in the shaded environment is of interest. Factors contributing to the existence of such "forests", temperatures, moisture, deep permafrost, snow cover, wind and topography affording protection, are discussed.