1. Chapter 5: Northern Character

2. Soil & Natural Vegetation Regions Arctic Tundra Arctic Tundra This region is in Canada's far north, and is composed of permafrost; land which is partially or permanently frozen.

3. Soil & Natural Vegetation Regions Only the top, or active layer ever thaws enough to allow plant growth, which consists of short plants, bushes and lichens Treeline: the outer limit of tree growth

4. Soil & Natural Vegetation Regions Boreal Forest Boreal Forest The largest vegetation region in Canada, it is generally cool and wet.

5. Soil & Natural Vegetation Regions Leaching washes most minerals into the soil, which has little humus and is acidic. It is grayish and is called podzol. Only coniferous trees (spruce, pine, larch) and some hardy deciduous trees (birch, poplar, aspen) can survive.

6. Soil & Natural Vegetation Regions Temperate Rainforest Temperate Rainforest Situated in British Columbia and parts of the Yukon The climate is ideal for the growth of huge coniferous trees like the Douglas Fir The soil is a deep grey podzol and is fertile

7. Soil & Natural Vegetation Regions Short-Grass Prairie (extreme southern AB/SK) Short-Grass Prairie (extreme southern AB/SK) Growing season is warm & dry Growing season is warm & dry Minerals are drawn UPWARD to the topsoil (capillary action) Minerals are drawn UPWARD to the topsoil (capillary action) Only short grasses and short-rooted plants like cactus & sagebrush grow here. Tree growth only in river valleys. There is limited amounts of humus. Only short grasses and short-rooted plants like cactus & sagebrush grow here. Tree growth only in river valleys. There is limited amounts of humus. The soil is called ‘brown grassland’ and is light brown. The soil is called ‘brown grassland’ and is light brown.

8. Short-Grass Prairie

9. Long-Grass Prairie Southern Prairie Regions Southern Prairie Regions Ideal for agriculture Ideal for agriculture Growing season is warm, with good amounts of rain Growing season is warm, with good amounts of rain Minerals are not far from the soil surface Minerals are not far from the soil surface Deep-rooted tall grasses grow well here, creating lots of humus Deep-rooted tall grasses grow well here, creating lots of humus As a result, the soil is rich and is called ‘chernozem’, Russian for ‘black earth’ As a result, the soil is rich and is called ‘chernozem’, Russian for ‘black earth’

10. Long-Grass Prairie

11. Mixed Forest Situated in southern ON, QC, Maritimes. Situated in southern ON, QC, Maritimes. Climate is warm in summer, cool in winter. Precipitation is even all year-round. Climate is warm in summer, cool in winter. Precipitation is even all year-round. A variety of deciduous (beech, oak, maple,…) and coniferous (fir, spruce, pine,…) trees grow. Many have been cleared for development. A variety of deciduous (beech, oak, maple,…) and coniferous (fir, spruce, pine,…) trees grow. Many have been cleared for development.

12. Mixed Forest The topsoil is deep and rich with humus. It is called a brown or grey- brown podzol The topsoil is deep and rich with humus. It is called a brown or grey- brown podzol It is also excellent for agriculture It is also excellent for agriculture

13. Comfort Temperature Index =How much the average temperatures for a location vary from the comfort temperature of 20° C =How much the average temperatures for a location vary from the comfort temperature of 20° C Do # 5.e, 7, 8 Do # 5.e, 7, 8

14. Questions: Page 74, #4 Page 74, #4 Use the atlases in class to help you… Use the atlases in class to help you…