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Region profile

Arctic Coastal Plain

Arctic Coastal Plain: This ecoregion, located west of the Mackenzie River along the Beaufort Sea coast in Alaska and the Yukon, Canada, is a treeless, flat to undulating coastal plain with continuous permafrost, low precipitation, very cold winters, and supports shrubby tundra vegetation and diverse arctic wildlife.

Zone

Arctic

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

2.2.1

CEC Level II Code

2.2 Alaska Tundra

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Arctic Coastal Plain is a flat, lake-dotted tundra region with cold summers and very cold winters. Mean annual temperatures range from -13 to -7°C. The landscape has shallow permafrost and is covered by glacial, alluvial, and marine sediments. Pollinators, including various bees (Bumble Bees, Sweat Bees, Mason Bees) and muscid flies, are active here despite the climate. Key threats include habitat loss and climate change, which causes range shifts and mismatched timing (phenology) between plants and their essential pollinators. (392 characters)

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Arctic Coastal Plain, CEC 2.2.1, Arctic Coastal Plain (Arctic coastal plain, Alaska Arctic Coastal Plain)
Geographic Range	The Arctic Coastal Plain ecoregion is located west of the Mackenzie River along the coast of the Beaufort Sea, near the international boundary between Alaska and the Yukon, Canada.
Climate Snapshot	The Arctic Coastal Plain has a dry, polar tundra climate with short, cold, frequently foggy summers and long, very cold winters, featuring a mean annual temperature of approximately -11°C and low annual precipitation (140 to 300 mm).
Terrain Profile	The Arctic Coastal Plain is a flat to undulating coastal plain, largely covered with a thin veneer of marine and alluvial sediments, rising gradually from sea level to the adjacent foothills, with continuous, high-ice-content permafrost and abundant ice wedges.
Vegetation Cover	The Arctic Coastal Plain is treeless but supports a nearly continuous cover of shrubby tundra vegetation, including dwarf birch, willow, northern Labrador tea, Dryas spp., rushes, and sedge tussocks.
Wildlife Habitat	This ecoregion is vital for the Porcupine caribou herd and supports a diverse range of species including brown bear, muskox, arctic fox, and marine mammals like walrus, seal, beluga whale, and polar bear.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Very short season when plants can grow and bloom
Coastal winds and cool conditions can reduce flying time for insects
Weather can shift quickly; microclimates (small local weather differences) matter a lot

Vegetation profile

The Arctic Coastal Plain is treeless but supports a nearly continuous cover of shrubby tundra vegetation, including dwarf birch, willow, northern Labrador tea, Dryas spp., rushes, and sedge tussocks.

Wildlife profile

This ecoregion is vital for the Porcupine caribou herd and supports a diverse range of species including brown bear, muskox, arctic fox, and marine mammals like walrus, seal, beluga whale, and polar bear.

Why pollinators matter here

Flowering opportunities are concentrated into a short window, so bloom timing matters
Many plants rely on insects to move pollen during the brief summer
Harsh conditions can limit the number of pollinator species and active days
Disturbance to tundra soils and vegetation can take a long time to recover

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Late winter/early spring: Planning and sourcing (if you can plant at all)
Spring: Conditions may still be too cold/wet for most planting
Summer: Short window when flowering and insect activity overlap
Late summer/fall: Plants shut down quickly; focus shifts to shelter and leaving habitat undisturbed

Quick seasonal checklist

Choose actions you can maintain (often: support habitat elsewhere)
If planting at home (outside this ecoregion), aim for continuous bloom from spring to fall
Avoid pesticides and “weed-and-feed” products
Leave some natural mess (stems/leaves) for shelter

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.

Season	What pollinators need most	What you can do
Late winter/early spring	Safe places to overwinter; early food sources where climates allow	Plan a pesticide-free patch in your home region; choose a few early-blooming native plants
Spring	Early nectar/pollen; nesting sites starting up	Plant or pot up early bloomers where you live; leave some bare soil and old stems for nesting
Summer	Steady nectar/pollen; water; shelter from heat/wind	Add mid-season native flowers; provide a shallow water dish with stones; keep blooms coming
Late summer/fall	“Last chance” nectar/pollen; places to tuck in for winter	Plant late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants; leave stems and leaf litter
Winter or Dry Season	Undisturbed shelter (stems, soil, leaf litter)	Don’t over-tidy; avoid pesticides; share your patch and encourage others to plant too

What You Can Do

Make a difference for native habitats.

Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.

Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.

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Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

Alders

Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.

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Asters

Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.

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Birches

Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.

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Blueberries & huckleberries

Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.

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Clovers

Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.

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Fireweed

Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.

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Fleabanes

Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.

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Goldenrods

Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.

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Kinnikinnick

Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.

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Manzanitas

Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.

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Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods

Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.

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Rushes

Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.

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Sedges

Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.

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Willowherbs

Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.

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Willows

Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.

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