Canada’s Ecozones

What is an ecozone? A unique region defined by the combination of its geologic, landform, soil, vegetation, climate, water, wildlife and human factors. Each ecozone is very similar throughout, and is significantly different from any other place in Canada.

How do the natural characteristics of Canada influence human activity, and how might human activity influence Canada’s natural characteristics?

ECOZONE Regions based on unique ecological characteristics. Or A large geographical area in which human activities interact with the natural world

ECOZONE Areas are grouped as separate ecological zones based on the way geologic, landform, soil, vegetation, climate, water, wildlife, and human factor are linked to each other If one part of the system is changed, then the rest of the system is changed Ex. Temperature - affects growth of plants… affects animals’ ability to obtain food etc.

Canada has 15 AWESOME Ecozones!! CANADA’S ECOZONES Canada has 15 AWESOME Ecozones!!

How many ecozones are in Canada? Each one differs from its neighbour because of a change in: Landform region Climate/Soil/ Vegetation Region Human Activities There are 15 terrestrial (land) ecozones and 5 maritime (water) ecozones.

CANADA’S ECOZONES Ecozones are defined by a variety of physical and human conditions Using ecozones to study the land helps us understand the INTERCONNECTIONS among natural and human systems

Natural Systems Are All Connected!

Boreal Shield Ecozone We live in the Boreal Shield Ecozone Area: 1 774 000 km2 Landforms: plains and low hills of the Canadian Shield Climate: long winters (-15ºC) and short summers (17ºC) Vegetation: Coniferous (black spruce, white spruce, Jack pine, balsam fir) mixed with deciduous (yellow birch, sugar maple, black ash) Soils: Heavily leached soils; bare rock; swampy areas Human activities: total population 1 695 000; GDP $49 billion; forestry, mining tourism, recreation, trapping Major Cities: St. John’s Chicoutimi, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, *See pages: 177-179 for complete list

A Comparison of Two Ecozones Factor Boreal Shield Mixedwood Plain Landform Region Canadian Shield Great Lakes Lowland Climate Region Boreal Southeastern Vegetation Region Coniferous and Mixed Forests Deciduous and Mixed Forests Wildlife Moose, Bear, Caribou Racoon, Squirrel, Skunk Human Activities Forestry, mining Urban, farming