Rasmussen Lowlands

Rasmussen Lowlands
Coordinates 68°40′N 93°0′W / 68.667°N 93.000°W / 68.667; -93.000Coordinates: 68°40′N 93°0′W / 68.667°N 93.000°W / 68.667; -93.000
Area 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi)
Designated 24 May 1982

The Rasmussen Lowlands is a 3,000 km2 coastal plain complex of wetlands in Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada. It was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance by the Ramsar Convention on May 24, 1982.[1] It is also classified as an Important Bird Area.[2]

The poorly drained area consists of flat lowlands overlain by marine silts and sand, with numerous tundra ponds throughout.[3]

Shorebirds numbering up to 500,000 individuals [3] nest in the ponds and surrounding areas. The vulnerable peregrine falcon nests in the adjacent escarpment, with nearly 6% (80 pairs) of the national population observed here in 1995.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Rasmussen Lowlands, Nunavut". Ramsar Sites. Environment Canada. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  2. 1 2 "Rasmussen Lowlands". IBA Canada. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  3. 1 2 "The Annotated Ramsar List: Canada". The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. Ramsar Convention Bureau. 2000-01-10. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
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