Biophysical settings are regionally important habitat types that share similar vegetation and biophysical site characteristics including permafrost characteristics, surficial deposit, disturbance and succession. Together, these (Alpine Dwarf Shrub Tundra, Barrier Islands, Beaches, and Spits, Coastal Plain Moist Tundra, Coastal Plain Wetland, Floodplain Shrubland, Foothills Tussock Tundra, Sand Sheet Moist Tundra, Sand Sheet Wetlands, Tidal Marsh) biophysical settings address the habitat requirements of most native species and the majority of key ecosystem functions and services within the North Slope geography.