| Abstract: | The limnological characteristics of 38 lakes and ponds on Axel Heiberg Island were determined, in part, to establish baseline data for future monitoring programs, and to provide the foundation for future paleoenvironmental work in this climatically‐sensitive region. In general, these sites were slightly alkaline, oligotrophic to ultra‐oligotrophic (mean total unfiltered phosphorus = 4.1 μg/L), and phosphorus‐limited. Principal components analyses separated lakes along a primary gradient of ionic concentration, and along a secondary gradient of POC, DOC and nutrient concentrations. Some interesting aspects of this limnological survey included very acidic sites (pH < 4), and the minimal effects of large altitudinal and latitudinal gradients on the limnological characteristics of our sites. |
