Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge - western Alaska
- Becharof National Wildlife Refuge - western Alaska
- Katmai National Park and Preserve - western Alaska
Finally, a number of islands scattered throughout the ecoregion, especially St. Matthew Island, are included as units of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
Types and Severity of Threats
Currently, waterfowl harvests are managed by USFWS, through co-management agreements with Native communities, and through international treaty. Although there is some potential for unsustainable waterfowl harvests from local communities, the harvests are at present well managed and represent less of a threat than habitat destruction in wintering areas for nesting waterfowl.
Commercial fishing is a significant presence, and can affect not only the marine ecosystem but the many terrestrial species that rely on the abundant fish runs each year. Salmon fisheries in the area are generally well-managed to ensure sufficient spawning stock returns to the rivers. As with any commercial fishery, there is a concern with overharvesting, particularly of weak stocks in years of generally abundant returns.
Suite of Priority Activities to Enhance Biodiversity Conservation
The biggest gap in the protected areas of this ecoregion are in the Nushagak River Valley and along the west side of the Alaska Peninsula.
- Alaska Marine Conservation Council
- National Audubon Society - Alaska-Hawaii Regional Office
- The Nature Conservancy - Alaska
Additional Information on this Ecoregion
- For a shorter summary of this entry, see the WWF WildWorld profile of this ecoregion.
- To see the species that live in this ecoregion, including images and threat levels, see the WWF Wildfinder description of this ecoregion.
- World Wildlife Fund Homepage
Disclaimer: This article contains certain information that was originally published by the World Wildlife Fund. Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth have edited its content and added new information. The use of information from the World Wildlife Fund should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.