Tahiryuaq has been characterized as "polar semi-desert". Its fauna includes willow-sedge meadows, dryas uplands, and raised beaches. The narrow land area between Wellington Bay and Tahiryuaq funnels migrating Dolphin-Union caribou herd, making them easy prey for Inuit hunters. Muskox, Arctic hare, and ptarmigan also inhabit the area.[7] The lake itself contains Arctic char (iqalukpiit) and lake trout (ihuurayuit). These were the principal food sources for Copper Inuit who were predated by people of the Dorset culture through the Thule culture as evidenced by Canadian Arctic archaeological sites on the banks of the lake, its river, and about 1 km north on the bay (Cadfael site).[8]