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Region profile

Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills

Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills is a region in Nunavut encompassing the lowlands and uplands of Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands, characterized by hilly to mountainous terrain with ice-covered peaks reaching 2,500 masl, steep-walled valleys, glaciers, continuous permafrost, and a mean annual temperature of approximately -16°C.

Zone

Arctic

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

2.1.2

CEC Level II Code

2.1 Northern Arctic

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills ecoregion, characterized by extremely short, cold summers and long, cold winters (mean annual temp: -18.5°C), presents a harsh environment for life. Most of the terrain is barren, dominated by ice and snow, with limited vegetation—primarily clumps of moss, lichen, sedge, and cottongrass. This results in low species diversity and few habitats.

Pollinators face extreme challenges here, mainly due to the high arctic ecoclimate, limited floral resources, and vast ice cover. While there are no settlements and few land uses, the few cold-hardy species (like arctic hare, arctic fox, and lemmings) and birds (like king eider and snow bunting) that inhabit the area are reliant on the delicate balance of this fragile, permafrost-underlain environment. The main factor affecting pollinators in this region is the severely restrictive climate and lack of habitat/food, rather than human-induced threats like pesticides or extensive habitat loss seen elsewhere.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills, CEC 2.1.2
Geographic Range	The Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills region extends over the lowlands and uplands of Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands in Nunavut.
Climate Snapshot	The Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills region has a mean annual temperature of approximately -16°C, with summer averages of -0.5°C and winter averages of -28.5°C, and receives low annual precipitation ranging from less than 100 to 200 mm.
Terrain Profile	The region is characterized by hilly to mountainous terrain, featuring ice-covered mountains up to 2,500 meters above sea level, along with steep-walled valleys, fjords, and glaciers.
Vegetation Cover	The dominant vegetation consists of clumps of moss, lichen, and cold-hardy vascular plants like sedge and cottongrass, with arctic willow, purple saxifrage, and dryas occurring infrequently.
Wildlife Habitat	The characteristic wildlife of Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills includes muskox, arctic hare, arctic fox, lemming, and caribou, with polar bears common in coastal areas, and marine mammals such as walrus, seal, and whale present.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Very short summer growing window; timing varies by microclimate (small local weather differences)
Exposed sites are harsher; sheltered spots can be noticeably milder
Freeze–thaw cycles and wind can shape where plants can survive

Vegetation profile

The dominant vegetation consists of clumps of moss, lichen, and cold-hardy vascular plants like sedge and cottongrass, with arctic willow, purple saxifrage, and dryas occurring infrequently.

Wildlife profile

The characteristic wildlife of Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills includes muskox, arctic hare, arctic fox, lemming, and caribou, with polar bears common in coastal areas, and marine mammals such as walrus, seal, and whale present.

Why pollinators matter here

Flowering resources are limited and highly seasonal
Small habitat patches can be important “refueling stops” during the brief summer
Cold, wind, and short bloom periods reduce pollinator activity windows
Disturbance recovery can be slow in Arctic environments

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

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

Seasonal timing

Focus on planning and learning during the long cold season
If planting is possible at all, it’s typically limited to the brief summer window and protected sites
Container planting indoors (then moving outdoors in suitable weather) may be the only realistic option for some settings

Quick seasonal checklist

Identify your home region (or planting location) and choose native plants for that area
Plan for continuous bloom (early–mid–late season)
Commit to pesticide-free care and add nesting habitat

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 shelter; clean water sources when available; early blooms where climates allow	Plan your patch for your home region; choose early-blooming native plants; avoid buying pesticide-treated plants
Spring	Early nectar/pollen; nesting sites starting up	Plant or pot up early-season natives where you live; leave some bare soil and stems; skip pesticides
Summer	Steady flowers; water; shade/shelter during heat or wind	Keep blooms coming (mix of species); add a shallow water dish with stones; let some areas stay “messy” for habitat
Late summer/fall	Late blooms; places to overwinter; seeds and stems left standing	Add late-blooming natives; stop deadheading everything; leave stems/leaves for winter shelter
Winter or Dry Season	Undisturbed shelter (leaf litter, stems, soil); minimal disturbance	Don’t over-tidy; plan next year’s plant list; share the project and invite others to join

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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