18 (3): 236-261 (2011) Extreme ecosystems and geosystems in the Canadian High Arctic: Ward Hunt Island and vicinity1 Warwick F. VINCENT2, Centre d’études nordiques and Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada,
[email protected] Daniel FORTIER, Centre d’études nordiques and Département de géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Esther LÉVESQUE, Noémie BOULANGER-LAPOINTE & Benoît TREMBLAY, Centre d’études nordiques and Département de chimie-biologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada. Denis SARRAZIN, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada. Dermot ANTONIADES, Sección Limnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. Derek R. MUELLER, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Abstract: Global circulation models predict that the strongest and most rapid effects of global warming will take place at the highest latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Consistent with this prediction, the Ward Hunt Island region at the northern terrestrial limit of Arctic Canada is experiencing the onset of major environmental changes. This article provides a synthesis of research including new observations on the diverse geosystems/ecosystems of this coastal region of northern Ellesmere Island that extends to latitude 83.11° N (Cape Aldrich). The climate is extreme, with an average annual air temperature of –17.2 °C, similar to Antarctic regions such as the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The region is geologically distinct (the Pearya Terrane) and contains steep mountainous terrain intersected by deep fiords and fluvial valleys. Numerous glaciers flow into the valleys, fiords, and bays, and thick multi-year sea ice and ice shelves occur along the coast.