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CANADIAN BIOMES
Biology 11
CANADIAN BIOMES
• A BIOME is defined as A large
geographical area with a typical type of
climate, plant and animal life.
• They are generally named after the
dominant type of plant found in them.
• Represent a large ecosystem, species may
be similar, but vary from one part to
another.
CANADIAN BIOMES
• Certain ABIOTIC factors such as sunlight,
temperature, soil conditions and rainfall
influence which plants will dominate a
biome.
• The type of plants that grow in the biome
dictate the type of animal that will live in
that biome.
• Canada is made up of four biomes.
TUNDRA
• Northern Canada – occurs in Arctic regions
where subsoil is frozen.
• It shows little biodiversity, and is
vulnerable to damage; slower to recover
because of the low temperatures.
• Winters are long and cold - the growing
season is very short (2 mths yr)
• low precipitation (10 – 20 cm/yr)
TUNDRA
• The soil is made up of a permanently frozen
layer called PERMAFORST (never thaws)
• Above the permafrost is a thin layer of soil
called the ACTIVE LAYER (thaws in
summer).
• Because the soil is so thin, limited biomass
is available to decay and mix with the base
soil, thus only few trees can grow.
TUNDRA
• The type of plants that grow here need to
flower and seed quickly.
• The plants grow close to the ground and
have small roots (small and stunted).
• Mosses, lichens, polar bears, caribou, arctic
fox, some birds (migrate south in winter).
TUNDRA
BOREAL FOREST
• This is the largest terrestrial biome on
Earth, covers 50% of Canada’s land area.
• The temperature changes rapidly, as a
result, this area experiences more
precipitation (>40 cm/yr).
• The soil contains some water but is more
acidic (the decay of the pine needles) and is
poor in nutrients.
BOREAL FOREST
• Shade loving mosses and ferns grow on the
forest floor.
• Animals that eat needles, bark, and seeds
are attracted to the boreal - deer, moose,
squirrels, hares, bears and insects, wolves
and snakes.
BOREAL FOREST
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS
• South of boreal forest, in eastern and central
Canada.
• The soil is rich and fertile (decomposing
upper layer; made of decomposing grass
and leaves).
• Long growing season (200 days in south).
• Four defined seasons, plenty of sunshine
(year round) and rainfall (100 cm/yr).
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS
• Because light can reach the forest floor,
more plants can grow on the forest floor.
• More plants allow a greater biodiversity
among animals: Bear, deer, bobcats,
raccoons, snakes, frogs and many different
insects.
• The canopy (upper layer of trees) attracts
many species of birds.
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS
GRASSLANDS
• Changes the most because of human
intervention.
• Southern part of Canada’s prairie provinces.
• Annual periods of droughts and the
temperatures vary considerably through out
the year.
• Moderate precipitation (25 – 75 cm/yr).
GRASSLANDS
• Thick, fertile soil ideal for agriculture.
• Topsoil is deep and rich in organic matter
which supports extensive root growth.
• The biodiversity is low - only one layer to
support animals.
• Herbivores – Bison, antelopes, wild horses.
• Hawks, mice, snakes.
GRASSLANDS