The Natural Regions of Canada Biomes The Natural Regions of Canada

Biomes Biomes are an ecological community of plants and animals extending over a large area Biomes are usually named for the dominant vegetation type of the region

Natural Regions of Canada

Atlantic Region Located at the northeast end of the Appalachian Mountain chain and consists of highlands, peninsulas and islands. The Atlantic Ocean creates a moderate, cool, and moist maritime climate. 76 percent of the ecozone surface area is covered with forests.

Borreal Shield the Shield is the largest of Canada’s terrestrial ecozones Consists of coniferous evergreens well adapted to cold winters and short growing seasons Boreal forest, mixed with innumerable bogs, marshes and other wetlands

Borreal Shield

Mixed Wood Plains of the St. Lawrence Lowlands This ecozone is the most populated and the most productive of Canada Navigable waterways, fertile soils, and a relatively mild climate level with gently rolling plains but broke up by striking physical features (ex. Niagara Falls)

Endangered Grey Fox

Arctic and Taiga Arctic is characterized by treeless tundra, carpeted with low-lying vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs The Taiga, by sticklike forests of spruce and fir, interspersed with immense wetlands. the environment of these ecozones is fragile, slow to change, and easy to disturb

Taiga

Central Plains Mostly grasslands in the south with parkland in the north Insufficient moisture, poor drainage and intense cold and wind Of all natural regions, the Prairies ecozone is the most greatly altered

Central Plains

Pacific and Mountains Made up of two noteworthy ecozones Coastal Forest Zone Temperate Rainforest distinguished by its coniferous forests Interior Mountain Range - Diverse range of landforms and vegetation and abundant wildlife - Pine forests, alpine, grasslands

Pacific and Mountains