PHYSICAL
Tundra
CONNECTIONS:
CANADA’S
ECOZONES
The tundra is the most northerly vegetation region of Canada (Fig. 12-8).
It is located above the tree line, which marks the northern boundary of
tree growth. Trees do not grow in the tundra because the climate is too cold
and dry. Most of the tundra has permafrost, or permanently frozen
ground. Only the top metre or so of permafrost, known as the active
layer, thaws during the short summer.Water cannot drain downward, so
the surface remains water—logged.This thawing permits a very short
growing season. Small shrubs, mosses, and lichens grow close to the ground
where they soak up as much heat as possible from the earth. Lichens are
slow—growing plants that cling to rocks. Tundra plants bloom arid mature
very quickly to produce their seeds before the cold weather returns.There
is very little humus in the tundra’s thin layer of soil because of the small
amount of vegetation, the water—logged nature of the soil, and the cold
cimate.The lack of vegetation limits the variety of wildlife as well as the
population of each species.
Boreal and Taiga Forest
To thtuthof the tundra is the boreal and taiga forest, the largest
vegetati:igion in Canada (Fig. 12-9). It is separated from the tundra by
the tree line. North of this line, it is too cold for trees to grow. Coniferous
trees grow south of this tree line because there is a longer growing season
and more precipitation than in the tundra. Coniferous trees, or evergreens,
lose some needles throughout the year but are never bare. Since they
don’t drop many needles, the humus layer beneath them is very shallow.
This gives the topsoil a grey colour. The needles are acidic, so they make
the soil acidic. Rainfall and snow melt wash away many soluble minerals
< Fig. 12-8 fun dra vet’ela
lion: p/au Is remain small
to obtain warmth from
the ground.
Also, low plants are
protected Jrom cold, harsh
winds.
Some stunted trees are able to
grow, however, in sheltered
valleys in the southern part of
this region.
Coniferous trees are also
known as needle-leaved trees.
The tamarack is an exception.
It is a coniferous tree but it is
not an evergreen. It drops all of
its needles in the fall.
-J
r
CHAPTER
12:
SOIL
AND
NATURAL
CONNECTO
Deciduous trees are als
known as broad-leaved
The northern part of this
coniferous forest is callr
forest and the southern
called boreal forest.
The cool temperatures a
lack of soil organisms, s
bacteria and earthworm
slow down the process I
humus formation.
allow them to thrive in
northern conditions:
a) They are able to
nutnents from the
soil with their lou
b) I7w sticky sap act.
anti—freeze whith
the needles from fi
c,) The waxy needle.
thick bark prevenl
loss of moistute it
of drought.
d) The needles amid
branches easily sh
snow to prevent
e) The needles are a
conduct photosynt
warm days be you
normal growing s
con if’rou.s tees have th
.fihiou’ing characteristis
< Fig. 12-9 lioreai fn
VEGETATION
from the topsoil and removes them to deeper levels.The lack of humus,
combined with the high acidity, and the leaching effect of water make
these wet—climate soils infertile and unsuitable for agriculture.
Coniferous trees have characteristics that make them well suited to this
region of cold temperatures and short growing seasons (Fig. 12—9).Trees
such as white and black spruce, balsam fir, and pine grow sparsely along
the northern edge of the horeal forest, hut more densely further south.
They are harvested by pulp and paper and lumbering companies. Some
deciduous trees, such as poplar and white birch, are hardy enough to
withstand the harsh winter conditions in the southern portion of the
boreal forest (Fig. 12—10).
< Fig. 12-10 The leav
confeivus and dcciduo