|
|
|
|
|
|
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Nature & Science
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NPS Photo | Arctic Ground Squirrel |
|
The Brooks Range is an alpine arctic mountain range which stretches across the entire northern portion of Alaska. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve encompasses the central Brooks Range, preserving intact a variety of arctic and subarctic ecosystems.
Here in this remote, wild land, natural processes function as they have for thousands of years, ensuring the survival of arctic adapted plants and animals, and the people who depend on them. The park is a valuable natural laboratory for scientific research.
|
|
NPS Photo Teri McMillan | Arnica |
|
Gates of the Arctic is a world of grand scales — scales of size, distance, and time. Breathtaking mountains encircle crystalline lakes that mirror the changing sky. Rivers cascade down the southern slope through mountain-rimmed, forested valleys. The northern slope of the Brooks Range is a mosaic of broad U-shaped and narrow V-shaped valleys fading into distant tundra covered with wildflowers. These panoramas reflect long-term processes. Glaciation, erosion, permafrost soil development, and wildfire have shaped and ultimately maintain the landscape.
|
|
NPS Photo | Muskoxen |
|
Against this backdrop, plants and animals utilize remarkable adaptations to survive and even thrive. Muskoxen remind us of an Ice Age that ended 10,000 years ago. Inch-high lichens shaped like leaves or tiny antlers lie underfoot. Thousands of caribou on the move to far destinations graze on these same lichens.
Visitors who look beyond the inspiring scenery will discover the intricate web of life that is the basis of this unique and timeless place.
|
| | |
|
|
Common Loon The common loon's remarkable plumage and haunting voice have enchanted people for thousands of years more... | | Birding in the Park 145 species of birds have been observed in Gates of the Arctic over the past 30 years more... | | Apply for a research permit Research permits are due by April 2 of each field season more... | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did You Know?
Chert is a fine-grained rock used by the prehistoric inhabitants of the Brooks Range to create tools like scrapers, knives and spear points. The Brooks Range contains one of the richest deposits of "tool quality" chert in the world.
|
|
|
|
Last Updated: July 20, 2007 at 16:14 EST |