The ecoregion to the south along the length is the High Arctic tundra, which is much drier (averaging only 100 mm/year of precipitation compared to the 400–600 mm/year in the Davis Highlands).

These regions are generally above 65% in latitude (north or south), are characterized by expanses of ice and bare ground, and little animal life.

One of the world's larges nesting colonies of snow goose (chen caerulescens) is found on Bylot Island.

Large colonies of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) and the vulnerable black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) inhabit the area.

[4] Other bird of the ecoregion include king eider (Somateria spectabilis), rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus), northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), plover (Charadrius and Pluvialis), hoary redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni) and snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis).