Widlands

Contaminant Assessment

Volcanism, glaciation, and marine deposition have sculpted the landscape of the Izembek Refuge. The Refuge is treeless and generally restricted to low-growing species that can withstand cool temperatures, frequent strong winds, shallow acidic soils, and short growing season. Pacific coastal plants predominate, although arctic species are also common. Freshwater lakes and ponds punctuate the low tundra, while glaciers, snowfields, and active volcanos present a dramatic backdrop. The most prominent landforms in the Refuge include Izembek Lagoon, Pavlof Volcano (Pavlof Unit), the heavily-glaciated Shishaldin Volcano (Unimak Island), Frosty Peak and the jagged spires of the Aghileen Pinnacles. Topography varies from sea level to rugged volcanic peaks exceeding 9,000 feet.

Habitat in the Refuge consists of berry-producing, low-growing bush tundra interspersed with numerous lakes, ponds and streams; thickets of alder brush in discrete zones and in riparian areas; coastal marshes; and barren glacier-topped mountains. Dominant plants include crowberry, grass, sedge, cottongrass, moss, alder, and willow. Eelgrass dominates lagoon habitats and is critical to staging waterfowl, especially the eelgrass-dependent Pacific black brant.

The extraordinary abundance and diversity of waterfowl and shorebirds that rely on the Izembek Refuge and associated Izembek Lagoon, attracted global recognition by being the first site in the United States to be designated a "Wetland of International Importance" by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (commonly referred to as the Ramsar Convention) in 1986. The goal of Ramsar (http://www.ramsar.org) is to reduce the global loss and degradation of wetlands and to protect their ecological character.

In March 2001, the American Bird Conservancy recognized Izembek Refuge for its significance in the ongoing effort to conserve wild birds and their habitats. Izembek and Moffet Lagoons were designated as a Globally Important Bird Area. The Globally Important Bird Area program (http://www.abcbirds.org/iba) aims to identify and protect a network of key sites to further national and global bird conservation. Globally Important Bird Area programs have been initiated throughout the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, and Ecuador, as well as the United States.

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge received recongnition in March 2001.

The Unimak Island Unit is a component of the Aleutian Islands Biosphere Reserve. The island’s dominant feature, Shishaldin Volcano, is a Registered National Historic Landmark. Shishaldin Volcano is a designated National Historic Landmark, because its nearly perfect cone has guided seamen since the days of Russian explorers and undoubtedly the Aleut people before them.

Used in navigation by mariners for centures, Shishaldin Volcano (on the left) is designated a National Historic Landmark. It is located on within the Unimak Wilderness Area.

Last updated: July 18, 2008