Download United States of America_Aleutian Islands.pub

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.