the Arctic slope from the central interior "basin, rrhich is forned and 

 traversed thro-aghout its lexi^h ty the Y-uIron River drainc:ge. -his huge 

 system is supplenented "by that of the Ilrskolavim Eiver, the ITiishagak, 

 the IToatak, ar.d the Koouk. 'The Alaska Peninsiila and the Aleutian Is- 

 lands chain, which extends westj/ard for a distance of aoout 1,200 miles 

 "beyond the end of the pcj_nsiila, divide 2ering Sea from the Pacific 

 Ocean. This is a region of volcanic peaks, a nuin"b3r of then active. 



Excluding southeastern Alaska, the Prince T/'illiam Sound region, and 

 Afognak Island, v.'hich are heavily forested, the main area of Ala.ska is 

 chiefly open \70odland, tundra, and grassland. The coastal forests com- 

 prise dense stands of spruce, hemlock, and cedar with an undercover of 

 mosses and shrulDs, Small open "oatcLes of STvamp, called muskeg, are inter- 

 spersed throughout, inclu-^ln^ mainly a vegetation of sedges, siiruDs, lich- 

 ens, and mosses. Of the remainder of the Territory, approximately 50 per- 

 cent is to some extent yrooded with, spruce, larch, "birch, cotton\7ood, and 

 aspen with an undercover of tall grasses, shrubs, forbs (flowering her"bs), 

 mosses, and lichens. Open areas consist of tundra cover, grassland, and 

 alpine meado'.vs. The main tundra area "borders the Bering Sea and Arctic 

 coast in a "broad "belt a"bout 100 to 150 miles vride. The tundra is often 

 semi swamps'- , generally hvumnocl^r, and covered Tiith a dense vegetative mat 

 of sedges, lichens, lo;7 or pros'.rate shrubs, mosses, i^^crbs, and grasses. 

 The interior tiuidra is less wet snd. has a greater percentage of grasses, 

 lichens, and taller shrubs in its ccmiocsition. The alpine meadows, oc- 

 curring above tinter line, are less densely covered with vegetation, are 

 often rock;,'-, and contain a greater variety of forbs, grasses, and mat- 

 forming shiubs. The main grassland occupying the Alabl.'a Peninsula and 

 Aleutian Islaiids comprises a luia^riant cover of gra,sses, sedges, and for"bs, 

 with a considerable admixture of tall shrubs, as willows and alders. 



The numerous islands, islets, rocks, and cliffs along the Alaska coast, 

 and especially the Aleutian Islands, furnich an extensive habita.t for mar^y 

 nesting sea birds. The n-jmerous swamps, lakes, and ponds throughout the 

 Territory and the vast tundra area form an ir.portant nesting ground for 

 waterfowl. The large rater area., the many favorable streams for spawning, 

 and the extensive coast line supply the conditions needed for a rich aquatic 

 life. The l-axiiriant cover of vegetation and wide range in ground and^'cli- 

 matlc conditions provide shelter and food for a large and -varied game and 

 fur-animal population. The variety of conditions of both water and land 

 habitat makes a home for wildlife that is outstanding in interest and in 

 economic value. 



Flora of Alarka 



The flora of Alaska is too abundant and rich in the num"ber of its 

 species to be listed here. Some of the prominent plant forms, h.ov:e.veT, 

 that may be mentioned include the lichens, mosses, sedges, edible berry- 

 producing slirubs, colorful forbs, willows and dwarf birches, horsetails, 

 and, in places, tall grasses. The lichens, varying from those that are 

 low and crustlike or leaf like to the taller, shrublike growths sometimes 10 

 inches in heiglit, occur most abundantly in the interior and along the coasts 



