1. The Hudson Plains By: Jackie Nguyen CGC1D6

2. Key Terms Ecozone: an area on the earth’s surface with a unique combination of plants, animals, climate, landforms, and human activities Active Layer: a layer of soil above permafrost that thaws and freezes seasonally Talik: a layer of soil beneath permafrost that is not frozen

3. Map of the Region

4. Characteristics Flat terrain that wraps around the bottom of Hudson Bay, in northern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec 90% wetlands, and makes up 25% of the world’s. Is in two of Canada’s vegetation regions: the Tundra and Boreal and Taiga. Vegetation appears only at higher altitudes due to permafrost in the Tundra and the large volumes of water along the Hudson Bay coast. There are no trees in the Tundra, but more appear moving south into Boreal and Taiga. Black spruce, white spruce, tamarack, trembling aspen and trembling willow may be found.

5. Characteristics Cont.’d Hudson Bay has a moderating effect on the climate of the areas around it. Temperatures range from -18°C during the long, cold winters to 11°C during the short, cool summers. Precipitation ranges from 400 mm to 800 mm annually, and the growing season lasts for 90-150 days. In the northern region of this ecozone, soil is covered in permafrost, so few plants can grow. In the south, the dirt is thin and acidic, with a lot of leaching.

7. Black SpruceTrembling Aspen

8. HumanActivities Human Activities Cold temperatures and infertile soil make it difficult for plants and trees to grow in the Tundra, so residents rely on tourism and subsistence activities to survive Area is lacking in timber and minerals Fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife, ocean coasts and scenic views bring most tourists Wapusk National Park is found in this eco region Polar bear

9. Photo One: Soil profile in the Tundra Photo Two: Map of Wapusk National Park in Manitoba, Canada

10. Notable Facts Positive Point Churchill acts as a major ocean port for ships transporting potash and wheat. Negative Point Permafrost in northern Manitoba prevents the growth of many plants. Interesting Point Most people living in this region reside in what was once a fur trading post for the Natives and settlers.

11. Environmental Issues There are many marine and land living animals in this region, for example: polar bears, beluga whales, and seals. However, this water is chemically polluted. The people living in the Hudson Plains sometimes have traces of mercury in their bodies, from consuming foods that had been contaminated from having been in the water. Beluga Whale Seal

12. References http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/153583/ http://www.parkwardens.com/zone8/12.html http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/HudsonPlains/ http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/ecozones/hu dsonplains/hudsonplains.htm http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/ecozones/hu dsonplains/hudsonplains.htm http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/natu ral-regions/#h3_jump_8 http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/natu ral-regions/#h3_jump_8 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Plains_Ecoregion