Download The Mixed Wood Plains Ecozone

The Mixed Wood Plains Ecozone
Name: Mr. Soldan
Landform Information:
The smallest ecozone, it is the one we live in. It is found in Southern Ontario and Southern Quebec.
It is associated with the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands landform Region. The area is made up
mainly of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and shale. The rocks may contain
valuable minerals such as oil and natural gas, and salt deposits - Goderich, Ontario. This area was glaciated
during the last ice age, leaving behind glacial debris in low, rolling hills. The Great Lakes were carved out
by glacial movement, and eventually filled up with glacial melt water to form the lakes.
Soil Information:
The sedimentary rock base was ground up and compacted by glaciation which resulted in sediments
which mixed with glacial melt to form the soils of the region. The soils in this region are approximately
6,000 years old. The soils are considered to be “leached”, or wet climate, in this region due to the low lying
landscape and proximity to the Great Lakes. Farmland in this region is excellent for growing a wide variety
of agriculture, including corn, soy beans, white beans, wheat, and barley, however fertilizer must be added
to many crops to ensure a high yield. The soils of this region are an important part of the natural resource
base of the Mixed Wood Plains.
Climate Information
This region experiences cool, wet winters often with considerable amounts of precipitation. If the
Great Lakes are frozen over, cold winters occur. If they remain open and ice free, snowy cool winters are
common. Summers are warm and relatively dry, however
convectional and cyclonic precipitation are common to the
region. In the summer, the Great Lakes provide a moderating
effect which actually helps to cool the land around the
shoreline. Near Water is the climate factor that effects the
region the most. The growing season is ideal for agriculture
and cultivated vegetation - approximately 7 months.
Maximum Temp = 22.1oC
Minimum Temp = -4.5oC
Temp. Range = 26.6oC
Average annual temp = 8.9oC
Total annual ppt. = 818.9 mm
Even (year round) distribution
Natural Vegetation
This region has mixed deciduous and coniferous trees, including maple, oak, ash, beech, pine,
spruce, cedar, and firs. It includes parts of the deciduous and mixed forest vegetation regions. This area has
been extensively modified by human activities, so many of the original species of vegetation and animals
have been killed off or driven away. Originally this entire region was very heavily wooded - but it was
almost entirely cleared by the pioneers. Very little original “old growth” timber remains. Due to the heavy
population of the region, much of the natural vegetation has been destroyed to create cities, highways, and
infrastructure. Today most of the vegetation consists of cultivated crops such as corn and wheat, with
smaller forest called woodlots. Certain species of animals such as deer and raccoons have increased in
population due to their interaction with humans. Other native species such as bear, wolves, and eastern
cougar have been virtually wiped out.
Ecozone Flow of Energy
Human Activities
The Mixed Wood Plain provides certain challenges, and many different opportunities. Farming is
one of the most important primary industries in the Mixed Wood Plain because: The climate is good,
warm and wet enough to grow crops. The region is home to more than 16 million people, including some
of Canada’s largest cities: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, London, and of course Exeter. 13 of Canada`s 25
largest cities are in this region. The proximity to the USA border also contributes to the region’s economy.
Economic Activity in the Mixed Wood Plain
There is a great economic diversity in this region including:
- Primary industries - farming, mining, and logging.
- Secondary industries - manufacturing of automobiles, furniture, clothing, electronics, and
construction.
- Tertiary industries (services) - to meet the needs of consumers - doctors, dentists, nurses,
teachers, ministers, hair stylists, police, fire, and ambulance; sales people in stores to sell the
manufactured goods; truckers and transportation to carry the goods to the stores, and service people
to fix and maintain the things we use. This area dominates Canada’s GDP - with a production
value of $606.6 billion.
The Basic Economic Model for the Mixed Wood Plains
Consumers
Tertiary Sector
Secondary Sector
Primary Sector
Natural Resource Base:
1. Grocery Store Clerk
2. Restaurant Manager
3. Staples Employee
1. Food Processing Plant
2. Salt Packaging Plant
3. Pulp and Paper Mill
1. Farming
2. Mining
3. Logging
1. Soil
2. Salt
3. Trees