Forestry

The Arctic Circle is covered in permafrost, yet Point Pelee in southern Ontario is further south than northern California. The soil and water and conditions that sustain the nations forest, vary greatly across such geographic expanse. As a result, Canada features many forest regions and sub-regions, each supporting characteristic tree species and forest types..

Fast Facts Canada has 10 percent of the world's forests. Canada has 10 percent of the world's forests. The forest sector's contribution to the Canadian economy (GDP) in 2002 constant dollars was 2.4 percent, or 28.8 billion, in The forest sector's contribution to the Canadian economy (GDP) in 2002 constant dollars was 2.4 percent, or 28.8 billion, in Wages and salaries for direct employment were $12.5 billion in Wages and salaries for direct employment were $12.5 billion in In 2006, Canada was the world's largest forest- product exporter (15.9 percent). In 2006, Canada was the world's largest forest- product exporter (15.9 percent).

Climate Zones of Canada

Percentage of forest and other wooded land Total land area (millions of ha) Area of forest and other wooded land (millions of ha) 0 - < < < < < < Total

Types of forests Coniferous (90%) Coniferous (90%) softwood softwood These evergreen trees have needle-like leaves that keep their green color all year long. These trees have a shallow root system. The coniferous forests have short warm summers and long, cold winters These evergreen trees have needle-like leaves that keep their green color all year long. These trees have a shallow root system. The coniferous forests have short warm summers and long, cold winters spruce, pine, fir, cedar spruce, pine, fir, cedar

Types of forests Deciduous (< 1%) Deciduous (< 1%) hardwood hardwood are trees that lose all of their leaves for part of the year. are trees that lose all of their leaves for part of the year. they remain dormant throughout the winter and bloom again in the spring. they remain dormant throughout the winter and bloom again in the spring.

Types of Forests Mixed Mixed combination of both coniferous and deciduous combination of both coniferous and deciduous

Productive Forests Are those that can be harvested profitably. (Commercial) Are those that can be harvested profitably. (Commercial) Usually found in warmer, wetter regions aiding in the quicker growth of larger trees Usually found in warmer, wetter regions aiding in the quicker growth of larger trees Closer to pre-existing infrastructure (roads, rail, or waterways) Closer to pre-existing infrastructure (roads, rail, or waterways)

Unproductive Forests Found in isolated areas and / or where the climate is colder Found in isolated areas and / or where the climate is colder The trees are smaller and spaced farther apart The trees are smaller and spaced farther apart Transportation routes are few, if they exist at all. Transportation routes are few, if they exist at all.

Forest Regions 1. Boreal – There are three subregions 1. a)Boreal (predominantly forest) - the largest forested area in Canada. This region forms a continuous belt from Newfoundland and Labrador west to the Rocky Mountains and north to Alaska. - Short, cool summers – long cold winters and moderate precipitation - Short, cool summers – long cold winters and moderate precipitation - infertile, acidic, podzolic soil that is thin and poorly drained. - infertile, acidic, podzolic soil that is thin and poorly drained.

1. b) Boreal (forest and barren) - a sub-region north of the Boreal Forest Region. - a transition zone between the boreal forest and the tundra - a transition zone between the boreal forest and the tundra - has a colder, windier, and drier climate and shorter growing season. Along the northern edge the forest thins into open lichen- woodland and then treeless Tundra. - has a colder, windier, and drier climate and shorter growing season. Along the northern edge the forest thins into open lichen- woodland and then treeless Tundra. - underlain by discontinuous permafrost - underlain by discontinuous permafrost

1. c) Boreal (forest and grass) - a sub-region south of the main Boreal Forest Region. - The transition zone between forest and the grassland of the southern prairies - The transition zone between forest and the grassland of the southern prairies - less water is available for tree growth - less water is available for tree growth

2. West Coast Coniferous Rain Forest - most productive region in Canada - most productive region in Canada - located on the western slopes of the Coast Range Mountains - located on the western slopes of the Coast Range Mountains - high levels of moisture (orographic precipitation) - high levels of moisture (orographic precipitation) - moderate temperatures - moderate temperatures

3.Columbia Coniferous Forest - found on the western slopes of the interior mountains of BC - found on the western slopes of the interior mountains of BC - shorter and smaller than the West Coast Coniferous Rain Forest because of a shorter growing season and less rain fall - shorter and smaller than the West Coast Coniferous Rain Forest because of a shorter growing season and less rain fall - second most productive forest region - second most productive forest region

4.Montane Coniferous Forest - covers most of the interior uplands of British Columbia - covers most of the interior uplands of British Columbia - lie in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains - lie in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains - less precipitation than the other BC forest regions - less precipitation than the other BC forest regions

5.Deciduous Forest - found in southern Ontario - found in southern Ontario - hot summers and shorter winters mean a longer growing season - hot summers and shorter winters mean a longer growing season - fertile soils - fertile soils - much of the region has been cleared for agriculture and urban expansion - much of the region has been cleared for agriculture and urban expansion

6.Great Lakes/St Lawrence Mixed Forest - extends inland from the Great Lakes and St, Lawrence River to southeastern Manitoba. - extends inland from the Great Lakes and St, Lawrence River to southeastern Manitoba. - This region is mixed coniferous-deciduous - This region is mixed coniferous-deciduous - it is a transition region between the boreal and deciduous forests - it is a transition region between the boreal and deciduous forests - cooler temperatures and shorter growing season than the deciduous forest - cooler temperatures and shorter growing season than the deciduous forest

7.Acadian Mixed Forest - stretches across most of the Maritime provinces. - stretches across most of the Maritime provinces. - also a transition region - also a transition region - trees are suited to the cooler and wetter climate of the Atlantic Coast - trees are suited to the cooler and wetter climate of the Atlantic Coast

What region do you think is represented in the following video? North Shore Riding North Shore Riding