Natural Vegetation Ontario

What is Natural Vegetation? Natural Vegetation refers to plants that grow without human interference. A regions vegetation is determined by its climate and soil. Plants must have moisture and heat for survival. The relative amounts affect what type of plats grow. Canada has 7 natural vegetation regions that are composed of 3 types of natural vegetation: Tundra, Forest and Grassland Of the 3 forest vegetation covers the most.

Natural Vegetation Diagram

Canada's Vegetation Regions

Ontario's Vegetation Regions Of the 7 Ontario has 4 of Canada's vegetation regions. The Largest Boreal and Taiga The smallest a little stretch of Tundra along the southern shore of Hudson's Bay The Deciduous Forest in Southern Ontario is the only one in Canada. Mixed forest runs through the middle of the province.

Deciduous Forest Is located in Southwest Ontario and is the only deciduous forest in Canada The majority of the trees are: Maple, Beech, Hickory, Ash and Black Walnut. The summers are long and hot and the winters mild. Precipitation is Plentiful These conditions are ideal because the trees need at least 5 months of warm weather to store sap for the winter. The soil is among the most fertile in Canada. Unfortunately due to great development and farming much of the forest has been cleared.

Mixed Forest(St.Lawrence Forest) In Ontario runs through South East area up to around Thunder Bay. Consists of coniferous and deciduous trees. Varieties such as: Spruce, fir, pine cedar, hemlock, maple, beech, ash, oak and birch. The mixed forest is a transition zone between the boreal forest to the North and the Deciduous forest to the south. The climate is ideal for Coniferous and with warm summers the Deciduous trees can also flourish. Precipitation is same as in the Deciduous Forest. Since there is such a variety of trees the topsoil created from the leaves is deep grey-brown and is rich in minerals.

Boreal and Taiga Forest To the north of the Mixed forest is the Boreal and Taiga forest which divides the forests from the Tundra. It is separated from the Tundra by the tree line, North of the tree line it is too cold for trees to grow. The denseness of the Boreal forest expands from north to south. In the north there are barely any trees, in the southern region it gradually meets the warmer climate allowing for the mixed forest. There is very little precipitation. The temperature is too cold for Deciduous trees to grow. Since coniferous trees don’t drop many needles the topsoil is very thin and there is little nutrients.

Tundra The most northern Vegetation Region in Ontario. It is located above the tree line. Trees don’t grow here because its too cold and dry. Most of the Tundra is covered by permafrost. In the short summer the top meter or so thaw. This allows for the growth of small shrubs, mosses and lichens. The lack of vegetation limits the variety of wildlife.