Ecology of tundra ponds of the Arctic Coastal Plain: a community profile

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6169309

Hobbie, J E

The Arctic Coastal Plain is a flat or gently rolling area of tundra which covers the entire coastal region of northern Alaska. This profile synthesizes data on the ecology of the thousands of small shallow ponds that form an important wetland community on the tundra. These polygonal ponds are formed by the freezing, thawing, and cracking of the perma-frost. Nutrient concentrations and rates of supply to the water column are controlled by interactions with the iron-rich peat sediments. Iron concentrations control phosphorus concentrations and these in turn control the growth of algae. Two fringing emergent vascular plants, Carex and Arctophila, are often the most important primary producers in the ponds. Most algae and higher plant biomass is decomposed by microbes in a detrital food web concentrated in the pond sediments. Chironomid larvae, oligochaete worms and other insects are the dominant benthic animals. Because the ponds freeze to the bottom each winter they contain no fish; however, the community is important for many species of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds that use the ponds for feeding and breeding. Activities associated with oil production, including spills, roads, and off-road vehicles, are the major issues facing managers of this wetland community. 63 references.

• Research Organization: Marine Biological Lab., Woods Hole, MA (USA). Ecosystems Center
• OSTI ID: 6169309
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-83/25; ON: TI85900650
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
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