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Unit# 2: Introduction to Ecozones
Name: _________________________ Section: _____________________Date: _________________
Follow the PowerPoint presentation and take notes:
A) Define each of the following terms.
Region = A part of the Earth’s surface that shares similar characteristics that set it
apart from other regions.
Natural/Physical System = A system found in nature. Examples: Ecosystem, Biome,
River, Forest, cycles etc.
Ecozone (Ecological Zone) = A region based on a combination of natural and human
characteristics that are similar throughout
Characteristics include: •landforms •climate •soil •natural vegetation •animal
distributions
•activities of people
B) Referring to the three maps listed below, divide the map of Canada into 5 to 10
different regions that have similar climate, soil, and vegetation. When you are
finished compare it to the real ecozone map of Canada (Fig. 15-3).
Climate Regions in Canada (Fig. 13-12)
Soil Regions in Canada (Fig. 14-5)
Vegetation Regions in Canada (Fig. 14-6)
My Ecozone Map of Canada:
CGC1D: Geography of Canada
Canadian and World Studies
C) Ecozones are named to describe the physical characteristics, define each term below:
TAIGA = Coniferous forest land of Siberia. The name is used for ALL coniferous
forests in the Northern Hemisphere.
CORDILLERA = A groups of mountain systems, each one containing several
ranges such as the Western Cordillera of Canada.
BOREAL = A coniferous forest dominated by spruce, fir, and pine trees that stretch
from East to West across Canada.
PRAIRIE = Grasslands that are found in the southern part of Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba; the natural grasses of this region have been largely
replaced by wheat.
MARITIME = Living or found near the sea
MONTANE = Referring to mountainous country.
SHIELD = A broad area of very old rocks above sea level
D) Answer all of the following questions in your notes. You may work collaboratively to
find the answers.
Which ecozone:
1. Is your community located in: Mixedwood Plains
2. Occupies most of coastal B.C: Pacific Maritimes
3. Occupies much of the Mackenzie River drainage basin: Taiga Plains/Shield
4. Occupies most of Newfoundland: Boreal Shield
5. Matches the area known as the Hudson Bay Lowlands: Hudson Plains
6. Matches the area known as the northern Prairies: Boreal Plains
7. Matches the southern portion of the landform region called the Interior Plains:
Prairies
8. Contains over 50% of the population of Canada: Mixedwood Plains
9. Contains at least 5 provinces: Boreal Shield
10. Contains most of Canada’s newest territory: Southern Arctic
11. Holds Western Canada’s largest city: Pacific Maritime
12. Was home to the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896: Boreal Cordillera
13. Contains the southernmost glaciers in Canada: Montane Cordillera
14. Contains Canada’s smallest provinces: Atlantic Maritime
15. Is almost split in two by Canada’s largest ecozone: Taiga Shield
CGC1D: Geography of Canada
Canadian and World Studies