Canada’s Vegetation Regions … at a glance Prepared by: Miss Hetu

What region do you think this is? Think about the following characteristics that determine this vegetation region: Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil NunavutTundra tundra.jpg

North West Territories Tundra

Tundra Vegetation Types: Small shrubs, mosses, lichens Temperature: Very cold, short growing season (above 6°C) Precipitation: Very dry (actually!) Soil Type: Thin soil, waterlogged/poor drainage, and frozen/permafrost

Where in Canada could this be? Again…think about these factors: Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil B.C. West Coast Forest

Douglas Fir B.C. West Coast Forest forest.html

West Coast Forest Vegetation Types: Rainforest, VERY large coniferous trees Temperature: Mild climate (avg. 10°C) Precipitation: Heavy rainfall Soil Type: Lots of humus (layer of decomposing organic matter i.e. leaves, fallen trees, carcasses, etc.)

View from the top of the Rockies… Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil B.C./Alb. Cordilleran Vegetation

Below the mountain… B.C. Cordilleran Vegetation

Cordilleran Vegetation Types: Variable: grasses in dry/hot valleys, coniferous trees in lower valleys, and tundra-like above the tree line Temperature: Warmer in valleys, dry/hot valleys on the rain- shadow side of mountains, and cooler higher up Precipitation: Heavier rain on the windward side and lower down the mountains Soil Type: Variable/Soils of all types

What region do all these coniferous trees belong to? Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil Northern On. Boreal and Taiga Forest ridge.icu.ac.jp/gen-ed/ biogeog-jpgs/taiga.jpg

Notice how ‘stunted’ and scattered the trees are… Manitoba (Near the ‘treeline’) Boreal and Taiga Forest ridge.icu.ac.jp/gen-ed/biogeog jpgs/taiga.jpg

Boreal and Taiga Forest Vegetation Types: Coniferous trees, some deciduous in south Temperature: Cold, short growing season (above 6°C) Precipitation: Wet climate Soil Type: Thin soil/little humus, acidic soil, leaching, and waterlogged/poor drainage in many parts

Few trees in this region… Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil Southern Man. Grasslandswww.laprensa-sandiego.org/

Some here and there maybe… Southern Sask. Grasslands shortgrassprairie.html

Grasslands Vegetation Types: Long and short grasses, cactus, trees in valleys Temperature: Cold winter, hot summer Precipitation: Very dry to dry, high evaporation Soil Type: Limited humus, calcified soils, good humus in southern parts

A little more ‘variety’ in this region… Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil Southern Que. Mixed Forest

Land cleared for agriculture… Southern Ont. Mixed Forest

Mixed Forest (HERE!!!) Vegetation Types: Coniferous and Deciduous trees Temperature: Temperate climate (not too hot, not too cold) Precipitation: Regular and abundant rain Soil Type: Good humus, little leaching, perfect for farming

The back yard… Vegetation types Temperature Precipitation Soil Hardly a trace remains of the this region’s unique forest, because of massive clearing in the last 200 years for agriculture and more and more for urbanization. Toronto - Southern Ont. Deciduous Forest Deciduous.gif

Deciduous Forest Vegetation Types: Deciduous trees Temperature: Long hot summer, mild winter Precipitation: Lots of rain Soil Type: Humus-rich!, some leaching, most fertile soil in Canada

Technicolour Forest