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United States of America Aleutian Islands Declaration date: 1976 Surface area: 1,100,943 ha Administrative division: Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge; Aleutian Islands Unit; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Human activities: There are some villages within the biosphere reserve. Natives use the natural resources for fishing and hunting waterfowls and game as well as some livestock raising. There are considerable World War II debris and abandoned military installations which cause the contamination of land and sea. Contact information: Jeff Williams Aleutian Islands Unit Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge PO Box 5251, 99546 Adak, Alaska United States of America Tel.: (1.907) 592 2406 Fax: (1.907) 592 3473 E-mail: [email protected] Ecological characteristics: The Aleutian Islands Biosphere Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge consist of most of the Aleutian Islands and almost all Amaknak Island. These islands extend in an arc from the Alaska Peninsula about 1,600 km to the west. Most of the islands are mountainous as emergent peaks of a submarine mountain range which also includes some active volcanoes. The Aleutian Islands flora and fauna is composed of species from both the North American and Asian continents. The vegetation is classified as terrestrialmarine tundra composed of arctic-alpine species, dominated by heath, grass and composite families. In general, three plant communities can be distinguished: beach communities, lowland and upland tundra. The Aleutian fauna has been described as a melting pot for faunal elements from two continents including some species which evolved in the Bering Sea area. One of the most unique features is the Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia), a threatened species which nests in the wild only here. This bird was exterminated from other Aleutian Islands as a result of the introduction of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) during the time when the islands were leased for fox farming. The eradication of fox as well as of the introduced Norway rats is one of the main management issues in order to restore native bird life. Investigations are carried out regarding population status and ecology of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) and Steller sea lion (Eumatopias jubata). Archaeological research in the western Aleutians attempts to characterize historical and prehistorical biodiversity. * Details found on this information sheet are derived directly from the UNESCO website and are not a communication from the biosphere reserve.