Some depressions are filled with fibrous peat. Potential Natural Vegetation. The vegetation is primarily alpine tundra heath meadows and barrens, with willow and alder occurring at lower elevations and along drainages. The Alaska Peninsula provides significant staging and migration habitat for waterfowl in the spring and fall. Numerous Steller sea lion rookeries and hauling grounds occur along the coast.
Sea otters are also common along the coast.
Large populations of brown bears live here, partially in response to the large salmon runs which are dominated by pink, chum, and silver salmon. The growing season lasts approximately from May 10 to September 30 in low-lying areas. Killing frosts can occur any day of the year at higher elevations. Surface Water Characteristics. Glacially fed streams flowing to the Pacific are short and steep, while those flowing to the Bering Sea are longer and have braided channels.