|Biosphere Reserve Information| © Photo: Jeff Williams The
Aleutian Islands Biosphere Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge
consist of most of the Aleutian Islands and almost all Amaknak
Island. These islands extend in an arc from the Alaska Peninsula
about 1,600 km to the west. Most of the islands are mountainous
as emergent peaks of a submarine mountain range which also
includes some active volcanoes. The Aleutian Islands flora and
fauna is composed of species from both the North American and
Asian continents. The vegetation is classified as terrestrial-
marine tundra composed of arctic-alpine species, dominated by
heath, grass and composite families. In general, three plant
communities can be distinguished: beach communities, lowland and
upland tundra. The Aleutian fauna has been described as a
melting pot for faunal elements from two continents including
some species which evolved in the Bering Sea area. One of the
most unique features is the Aleutian Canada goose (Branta
canadensis leucopareia), a threaten