Plant Ecology of the Walakpa Bay Area, Alaska

Abstract

The Walakpa Bay archeological excavation site 18.4 km southwest of Barrow, Alaska, is on the arctic coastal plain tundra. The use of native vegetation for food is principally limited to leaves, as few species set fruit. Several species of food plants function as pioneer plants on disturbed areas. Poa arctica was a dominant invading species of disturbed sites. Principal physiographic forms were analyzed for vegetational composition.