Akimiski Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Akimiski Island | |
|---|---|
 Landsat image of Akimiski Island. |
|
| Geography | |
| Location | Northern Canada |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Archipelago | Canadian Arctic Archipelago |
| Area | 3,001 km² (1,159 sq mi)
|
| Administration | |
 Canada |
|
| Territory |  Nunavut |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
| Indigenous people | Inuit |
Akimiski Island is the largest island in James Bay (a southeasterly extension of Hudson Bay), Canada, which is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the territory of Nunavut. It has an area of 3 001 km² (1,159 square miles), making it the 164th largest island in the world, and Canada's 29th largest island.
The island is currently uninhabited. The surface of Akimiski is flat and slopes gradually to the north. Most of the vegetation that covers the island consists of lichen, moss, sedges, and dwarf Black Spruce. The eastern half of the island is a migratory bird sanctuary. The island is a coastal wetland that includes mudflats, tidal marshes, and tidal mudflats. Freshwater streams that flow into southwestern James Bay carry sediments and abundant nutrients that help to sustain the productive waterfowl habitat around Akimiski Island.
Akimiski Island is home to one of the territory's Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. The coastal waters and wetlands of Akimiski Island (and James Bay in general) are important feeding grounds for many varieties of migratory birds.[1] James Bay and Hudson Bay are funnel-shaped and consequently cause migrating birds from the Arctic to concentrate in this area. During fall migration, there is an abundance of birds when adults and young are present. In the springtime, the birds tend to reside in the southern areas of James Bay until the northern section thaws. The Akimiski Island Group includes Akimiski, Gasket, and Gullery Islands; Albert Shoal, and the Akimiski Strait Isles.
[edit] References
- ^ Reiter, Matthew E. (February 2006). Sympatric nesting eastern prairie population Canada Geese and Lesser Snow Geese. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
[edit] Further reading
- Blaney, C S, and P M Kotanen. 2001. "Articles - The Vascular Flora of Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory, Canada". The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 115, no. 1: 88.
- Hill, Michael Robert John. Factors Influencing Pre- and Post-Fledging Growth and Survival of Canada Goose Goslings on Akimiski Island, Nunavut. Ottawa: National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. ISBN 0612425274
- Martini, I. P. Sedimentary Geology of Akimiski Island, Canada. Sedimentary geology, v. 37, no. 4. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1984.
[edit] External links
- NASA Photo : "STS085-713-070 Akimiski Island, Northwest Territory, Canada August 1997 Akimiski Island, a 2000-square-mile (5180 square kilometers) uninhabited island, is the largest island in James Bay (a southeasterly extension of Hudson Bay)."
 |
This Nunavut geographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
