Intro to Ecozones
Boreal Shield
Montane Cordillera
Prairie
Mixedwood Plains
100
How many ecozones are there in Canada?
20
100
What is the Boreal Shield's nickname?
"The Big Wild"
100
Most of the Montane Cordillera is in which province
British Columbia
100
List three distinct Prairie Landscape impressions.
Wide expanses of flat land Tall grasses Wheat fields Grazing cattle Old, wooden grain elevators Oil rigs
100
What is the Mixedwood Plains' nickname?
"Big City Country"
200
What are the lines that separate one region from another called?
Boundaries.
200
What two important natural features make up the Boreal Shield?
The rocky Canadian Shield and the coniferous northern forest.
200
What term refers to precipitation that falls on the windward side of a mountain?
Orographic Precipitation.
200
What are two names for large depressions in the ground on the prairies?
Prairie Potholes or Sloughs.
200
The Mixedwood Plains region covers only _____% of Canada's land mass but is home to _____% of Canda's people.
6% of land mass, 60% of people.
300
List FIVE characteristics that are used to define ecozones.
Geology, climate, soil, landforms, wildlife, natural vegetation, humans, water, etc...
300
What conditions have vegetation in the Boreal Shield adapted to?
Long, cold winters and short, hot summers.
300
Why is there no vegetation on the tops of the mountains in the Montane Cordillera ecozone?
It is too cold and wind swept. Also, some area have permanent ice caps.
300
What are unusual landscapes created by the erosion of soft, sedimentary rock, found on the prairies called?
Badlands.
300
What are the pros and cons of having a high population density?
Pros - High population provides a strong labour force to work in its diverse industries and a healthy market for all the goods and services it produces. Cons - High levels of air pollution, called smog, caused by traffic congestion and emissions.
400
How are ecozones broked down into smaller areas?
Ecozone > Ecoprovince > Ecoregion > Ecodistrict
400
What are three threats to the Boreal Shield natural environment?
Resource development activities like logging, hydroelectric dams, and oil and gas pipelines
400
The watersheds, mountains, and forests of this ecozone are highly valued for which type of industry?
Tourism and Recreation.
400
What are two names for structures that farmers on the prairies built to protect thier homes and barns from the strong winds?
Shelterbelts or Windbreaks.
400
How is the Niagara Escarpment's nearly vertical rock face formed?
The top layers of the cliff face are hard caprock, which erode slowly. The lower layers are softer, which erode more quickly, causing the top layers of crack and fall.
500
Define ecozone.
Regions with interacting natural and human features.
500
How did the Boreal Shield get its distictive look?
Glaciers scraped it clean, exposing the ancient granite bedrock that lies beneath it. This left behind thin soils, exposed bedrock, and many depressions, which filled with water to form lakes, swamps, and wetlands.
500
What are the two main threats to the Montane Cordillera ecozone?
What are the Logging Industry and the Mountain Pine Beetle.
500
Describe a continental climate.
Weather conditions are dry, and the range of temperature is extreme.
500
List three reasons why the Mixedwood Plains are a good place to live.
1) It borders three Great Lakes, and extends up the St. Lawrence River. So, there is a good supply of water and water transportation. 2) It is also located close to the USA which enables efficient transport of goods. 3) The Mixedwood Plains has a relatively warm and moderate climate. 4) It has mainly flat land with rich, fertile soils to support agriculture and food-processing industries.
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