Produce a module summary on Canadian Shield region. This summary should highlight the major processes and landforms found in each region, and can be used as a review tool for the final exam. This sum

Page%|%1%%%MODULE'5:'CANADIAN'SHIELD'UNIT'3:'SOILS,'FLORA'AND'FAUNA'Slide%1:%Welcome%to%the%third%unit%in%the%module%on%the%Canadian%Shield%physiographic%region.%%In%this%module%we%will%be%examining%the%soils,%flora%and%fauna%found%in%this%region,%and%how%these%three%characteristics%are%related%to%the%climate%and%topography.%%As%we%work%through%this%unit,%I%would%like%you%to%remember%that%all%of%these%factors%are%interrelated,%and%they%may%not%be%completely%unique%to%this%physiographic%region%in%Canada.%%%%Slide%2:%In%the%previous%modules,%we%introduced%the%concept%of%ecozones.%%We%will%continue%to%use%this%classification%to%discuss%the%soils,%flora%and%fauna%of%this%region.%%As%you%can%see%in%the%figure%on%the%slide%(the%red%box%indicates%the%approximate%location%of%the%region),%there%are%four%ecozones%found%in%the%Canadian%Shield%–%the%Taiga%Shield,%the%Boreal%Shield,%Hudson%Plains%and%Southern%Arctic%ecozone.%%Each%have%very%unique%soils,%flora%and%fauna,%which%exemplifies%the%overall%variation%in%the%Canadian%Shield%physiographic%region.%%We%will%start%by%examining%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone.%%%%Slide%3:%The%Taiga%Shield%ecozone%covers%an%area%of%1.4%million%square%kilometers%or%14%%of%Canada%and%is%one%of%Canada’s%largest%ecozones.%%This%ecozone%is%not%one%large%region,%rather%it%is%divided%into%two%large%sections%on%either%side%of%Hudson%Bay%as%shown%on%the%map%–%one%in%central%Quebec%and%Labrador%and%the%other%in%northern%Manitoba,%Saskatchewan%and%southern%Northwest%Territories%and%Nunavut.%%Human%population%within%this%ecozone%is%approximately%340%thousand%people,%with%the%majority%(60%)%selfYdeclaring%as%FirstYNation%peoples.%%%%%% Page%|%2%%%Slide%4:%The%geology%of%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone%is%characterized%by%rock%outcrops,%permafrost%and%a%large%number%of%lakes.%%Since%it%is%a%part%of%the%Canadian%Shield,%the%rocks%that%make%up%this%ecozone%are%some%of%the%oldest%on%Earth%(over%4%billion%years%old).%%These%rocks%have%undergone%significant%tectonic%processes,%being%warped,%folded%and%faulted.%%In%addition,%weathering%and%erosion%processes%(floods,%glaciers,%rivers,%and%rainstorms%to%name%a%few)%have%been%acting%on%the%rock%features%for%over%4%billion%years,%creating%the%current%topography%in%the%region.%%The%terrain%is%either%flat%or%rolling%hills.%%The%glacial%movement%during%the%Pleistocene%glaciation%has%scarped%the%ground%leaving%depressions%that%have%since%filled%with%water%and%become%lakes.%%Due%to%the%northern%location%of%this%ecozone%and%the%cold%temperatures%experienced%due%to%its%location,%the%ground%water%remains%frozen%most%of%the%year%creating%permafrost.%%This,%along%with%the%glacial%erosion,%has%left%much%of%the%plains%temporarily%or%permanently%waterlogged.%%%%Slide%5:%The%type%of%soils%found%in%this%ecozone%varies%depending%on%location%east%or%west%of%Hudson%Bay,%as%shown%in%the%figure%on%this%slide.%%In%the%eastern%section%of%the%ecozone%(i.e.%east%of%Hudson%Bay)%podzolic%and%brunisolic%soils%dominate.%%Podzolic%soils%are%characterized%by%the%leaching%of%bases%and%retention%of%iron%and%aluminum%oxides%in%the%profile.%%This%occurs%when%the%acids%in%the%organic%material%(from%pineYneedle%decay%for%instance)%cause%depletion%of%the%minerals%in%the%A%horizon.%%This%soil%type%typically%has%a%greyish%eluviation%layer%and%is%found%in%humid%environments%in%more%northerly%latitudes%with%a%coniferous%forest%cover.%%Brunisolic%soils%have%a%poorly%developed%or%newly%formed%B%(or%illuviation)%layer%that%is%reddish%in%colour.%%This%soil%type%contains%significant%amounts%of%organic%matter%and%is%generally%found%in%humid%environments%under%forest%cover%or%tundra%environments.%%%On%the%western%side%of%Hudson%Bay,%the%soils%of%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone%are%primarily%cryosolic%and%brunisolic.%%Cryosolic%soils%(as%discussed%in%the%previous%module)%are%a%highYlatitude%soil%that%has%permafrost%or%gelic%materials%(i.e.%material%that%has%undergone%cryoturbation)%within%1%m%of%the%surface.%%%%%% Page%|%3%%%Slide%6:%As%indicated%in%the%previous%slide,%these%various%soil%types%found%in%this%ecozone%control%the%flora%present.%%The%flora%in%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone%is%characterized%by%open%forests,%shrublands,%meadows%and%wetlands%(as%you%can%see%in%the%photo%on%this%slide).%%The%northern%edge%of%this%ecozone%represents%the%treeline%or%the%limits%of%tree%growth.%%In%the%central%areas%of%this%ecozone,%forests%containing%stunted%black%spruce%and%jack%pine%are%common.%%Within%the%forest%are%found%numerous%wetlands%and%bogs%with%tamarack,%alder%and%willow.%%On%the%upland%sites%and%along%rivers,%white%spruce,%balsam%fir%and%white%birch%are%common.%%As%the%trees%grow%in%permafrost%and%shifting%soils,%they%may%become%tilted%giving%the%appearance%of%a%‘drunken’%forest.%%The%forest%areas%also%contain%many%species%of%lichens%and%mosses,%which%cover%the%bare%rock%outcrops.%%These%areas%grade%into%areas%of%arctic%tundra,%dominated%by%lichens%and%mosses.%%This%vegetation%assemblage%is%due%in%large%part%to%the%cool%temperatures,%short%growing%season,%permafrost%and%thin%acidic%soils%found%in%the%ecozone.%%Slide%7:%The%flora%of%the%ecozone%provides%habitat%for%over%50%species%of%mammals%including%large%herbivores%such%as%the%moose,%large%predators%such%as%the%wolf%and%black%bear,%small%herbivores%including%the%snowshoe%hare,%beaver%and%brown%lemming%and%small%predators%such%as%the%coyote,%red%and%arctic%fox%and%wolverine.%%A%significant%mammal%species%found%in%this%ecozone%are%the%woodland%and%barrenYground%caribou.%%Close%to%a%million%caribou%migrate%south%in%the%fall/winter%seasons%into%the%taiga%forest%and%return%in%the%spring%to%the%tundra%to%calve.%%%Thousands%of%migrating%birds%such%as%ducks,%geese,%loons%and%swans%come%to%nest%or%rest%and%feed%on%their%way%to%breeding%grounds%in%the%Arctic.%%The%large%amount%of%wetlands%and%lakes,%and%the%large%variety%in%habitats%(i.e.%forest,%lakes,%shrublands)%attracts%these%birds%to%the%area.%%Common%birds%found%in%this%ecozone%are%birds%of%prey%such%as%the%osprey%and%bald%eagle,%shorebirds%include%arctic%tern%and%mew%gull,%waterfowl%such%as%redYthroated%loons%and%greenYwinged%teal,%and%forest%birds%include%tree%sparrow,%raven%and%redYwinged%blackbird.%%Also%found%in%the%Taiga%Shield%are%groundYdwelling%birds%such%as%the%spruce%grouse%and%willow%ptarmigan.%No%reptiles%are%found%in%this%ecozone%due%to%the%cooler%climate.%%Three%species%of%amphibians%make%this%ecozone%their%home,%including%the%mink%frog,%wood%frog%and%blueYspotted%salamander.%The%numerous%lakes%and%rivers%in%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone%provide%habitat%for%the%lake%trout,%lake%whitefish,%and%northern%pike.%%%% Page%|%4%%%Slide%8:%The%second%ecozone%found%in%the%Canadian%Shield%physiographic%region%is%the%Boreal%Shield.%%This%ecozone%is%found%south%of%the%Taiga%Shield.%It%is%the%largest%ecozone%in%Canada,%covering%20%%or%over%1.9%million%square%kilometers.%%Like%the%Canadian%Shield%it%is%UYshaped%or%horseshoe%shaped%as%shown%in%the%map%on%the%slide.%%It%extends%from%Alberta%in%the%west%to%Newfoundland%in%the%east,%covering%a%distance%of%over%3800%kilometers.%%This%ecozone%has%been%an%important%one%in%the%Canadian%psyche%–%playing%a%dominant%role%in%economics%(as%we%will%discuss%in%the%next%unit)%as%well%as%art%and%culture%(i.e.%literature%and%painting).%%%%%%%%Slide%9:%As%mentioned%in%the%previous%slide,%the%Boreal%Shield%ecozone%extends%through%6%provinces,%over%a%large%section%of%the%Canadian%Shield.%%Therefore%the%topographic%features%present%in%this%ecozone%are%considerably%varied.%%Like%the%Taiga%Shield,%the%geology%of%this%ecozone%is%based%on%Precambrian%granite%bedrock%–%hard%and%old%crustal%material.%%This%ecozone%is%composed%of%hilly%terrain,%numerous%rock%outcrops,%as%well%as%glacial%and%fluvial%deposits%of%variable%depths.%%Mountains%that%were%once%formed%by%tectonic%processes%when%the%Canadian%Shield%was%in%its%infancy%have%now%been%eroded%to%rolling%hills%or%exposed%bedrock%(as%you%can%see%in%the%photo%on%this%slide).%%During%the%last%glacial%retreat,%erosion%has%left%many%poorly%drained%depressions%creating%millions%of%lakes,%ponds%and%wetlands.%%%%Slide%10:%Due%to%the%vast%expanse%and%varied%topography%of%the%ecozone,%the%soils%found%in%the%Boreal%Shield%ecozone%are%a%mix%of%five%different%types.%%In%the%southern%portion%of%the%ecozone,%brunisolic%and%podsolic%soils%dominate.%%These%soils%are%usually%leached%because%the%bedrock%is%impervious%and%does%not%let%water%pass.%%In%the%northern%portion%of%the%ecozone,%different%soils%types%dominate%–%including%luvisolic,%organic%and%crysolic%soils%(as%indicated%in%the%figure%on%this%slide).%%The%cryosolic%soils%are%found%in%areas%where%permafrost%is%present.%%Luvisolic%soils%are%found%in%moister,%less%continental%climate%zones%(i.e.%area%with%a%lower%range%in%temperature%and%precipitation).%%This%soil%is%high%in%mineral%content%and%has%a%distinct%B%horizon.%%This%is%common%in%the%most%southern%reaches%of%the%ecozone.%%Organic%soils%are%found%in%waterlogged%area%in%the%ecozone.%%These%soils%are%often%waterYsaturated%for%most%of%the%year.%%Organic%material%is%present%in%high%concentration%in%the%top%layers%of%the%soil%and%mineral%material%is%found%below.%%%%%% Page%|%5%%%Slide%11:%Similar%to%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone,%the%flora%present%in%the%Boreal%Shield%ecozone%is%impacted%by%the%cool%temperatures,%short%growing%season%and%acidic%soils.%%Forests%cover%more%than%75%%of%the%area%in%this%ecozone.%%Distributed%throughout%the%ecozone%are%conifers%such%as%balsam%fir,%white%spruce,%black%spruce%and%tamarack,%which%have%adapted%to%the%long%harsh%winters.%%In%the%southern%areas%of%this%ecozone,%broadleaf%trees%(such%as%white%birch,%trembling%aspen%and%balsam%poplar)%and%needleYleaf%trees%(such%as%white%and%jack%pine)%can%be%found.%%In%areas%with%exposed%rock%outcrops,%lichens%and%mosses%tend%to%dominate.%%Bogs%and%wetlands%cover%about%20%%of%the%area.%%Berries%including%blueberry%and%high%brush%cranberry%can%be%found%in%these%wetlands,%as%well%as%sphagnum%moss,%feathermoss%and%waterlillies.%%%A%main%factor%controlling%the%flora%present%in%this%ecozone%is%forest%fire.%%Forest%fires%create%a%patchwork%of%forest%types%in%different%stages%of%recovery%from%the%fire.%%Therefore%a%large%section%of%forest%will%have%trees%of%not%only%different%composition%but%also%of%different%age.%%%%Slide%12:%The%fauna%present%in%this%ecozone%are%very%similar%to%those%present%in%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone.%%Mammals%include%the%black%bear,%lynx,%marten,%woodland%caribou,%moose,%whiteYtailed%deer,%snowshoe%hare%and%wolf.%%%Beaver,%muskrat%and%mink%utilize%the%many%wetlands%and%lakes%found%within%the%ecozone%Birds%include%numerous%species%of%duck,%loons,%geese%and%swans%that%are%again%attracted%by%the%abundance%of%water%present%in%the%ecozone.%%Specific%bird%species%that%utilize%this%ecozone%include%willow,%rock%and%whiteYtailed%ptarmigan%and%spruce%grouse.%%Few%bird%species%stay%in%the%Boreal%Shield%in%the%winter%season.%%%Due%to%the%forest%environment,%over%50%species%of%insects%can%be%found%in%the%Boreal%Shield.%%The%spruce%budworm%feeds%on%the%conifers%present%in%high%numbers%within%the%ecozone.%%Billions%of%black%flies,%mosquitoes%and%wood%ticks%can%be%found%in%this%ecozone%due%to%the%large%amount%of%forest%and%high%concentration%of%waterlogged%environments%such%as%wetlands.%%Many%fish%species%such%as%lake%trout,%lake%whitefish,%burbot%and%northern%pike%can%be%found%in%the%numerous%lakes%within%this%ecozone.%%%Slide%13:%The%third%ecozone%found%in%the%Canadian%Shield%physiographic%region%is%the%Hudson%Plains.%%This%ecozone%is%found%along%the%southern%edge%of%Hudson%Bay%and%James%Bay%and%extends%from%Manitoba%in%the%west%to%Quebec%in%the%east.%%It%covers%an%area%of%approximately%353%thousand%square%kilometers%or%4%%of%Canada,%the%majority%in%northern%Ontario.%%This%is%one%of%the%least%visited%and%least%known%of%all%the%ecozones%in%Canada.%%%%%% Page%|%6%%%Slide%14:%The%topography%of%the%Hudson%Plains%ecozone%is%continuing%to%change%due%to%continual%isostatic%rebound,%as%discussed%in%the%previous%unit.%%Overall,%the%ecozone%is%a%flat%coastal%plain%formed%from%old%lakeYbottom%deposits.%%Due%to%poor%drainage,%the%flat%plain%is%dominated%by%wetlands,%bogs%and%marshes.%%The%rocks%that%form%this%ecozone%are%Palaeozoic%and%Proterozoic%in%origin%and%sedimentary%in%nature.%%This%is%different%than%the%rocks%found%in%the%other%ecozones%within%this%region.%%%%Slide%15:%Organic%soils%dominate%the%Hudson%Plains%ecozone.%%The%widespread%wetland%present%in%the%ecozone%as%well%as%permafrost%contribute%to%poor%surface%drainage%and%slow%rate%of%decay%characteristic%of%organic%soils.%%These%soils%tend%to%be%acidic%in%nature.%%In%the%northern%section,%these%soils%tend%to%be%frozen%for%significant%periods%of%the%year,%while%in%the%south%partly%decayed%organic%soils%are%more%common.%%Along%the%beach%ridges,%mineral%soils%such%as%gleysolic%soils%may%be%present.%%The%building%blocks%for%these%soils%are%from%lacustrine%(lakeYbottom)%or%marine%(seaYbottom)%origin,%deposited%by%the%numerous%lakes%present%or%when%the%land%was%inundated%by%water%prior%to%isostatic%rebound.%%Slide%16:%Because%this%ecozone%is%dominated%by%a%coastal%plain%with%wetlands,%tree%species%are%not%the%common%flora%found%in%the%Hudson%Plains%zone,%unlike%the%previous%two%ecozones%in%the%region.%%Various%species%of%sedges%and%mosses%dominate%the%wetland%areas,%including%cottongrass%and%sphagnum%moss.%%Dwarf%birch%and%willow%shrubs%may%also%be%found%in%these%areas.%%In%drier%areas%(i.e.%beach%ridges%where%water%is%able%to%drain)%lichens%and%groundYhugging%shrubs%dominate%such%as%crowberry,%cloudberry%and%Lapland%rosebay.%%Herbs%such%as%arctic%aven%and%lousewart%may%also%occur.%%Further%inland,%open%woodlands%of%black%spruce%and%larch%are%able%to%form,%with%willow%and%dwarf%birch%typical%shrubs%intermixed%with%the%trees.%%The%productivity%and%growth%in%these%open%woodlands%are%low%due%to%the%soil%composition%and%climate.%%%%%%%% Page%|%7%%%Slide%17:%Inland,%large%herbivores%(such%as%mule%deer,%moose,%caribou)%and%carnivores%(such%as%black%bear,%wolf%and%lynx)%can%be%found.%%Small%herbivores%found%in%the%ecozone%include%ground%squirrel,%snowshoe%hare%and%beaver,%while%small%carnivores%include%coyote,%arctic%fox%and%red%bat%can%also%be%present.%%Because%this%ecozone%is%located%along%the%coast,%marine%species%such%as%bearded%seals,%ringed%seals,%walrus%and%polar%bears%are%also%present.%Not%surprising%due%to%the%large%amount%of%lakes%and%wetlands,%the%Hudson%Plains%ecozone%is%a%major%habitat%for%waterfowl%including%the%Canada%goose.%%Millions%of%birds%of%different%species%(including%black%duck,%king%eider,%pintail)%use%this%ecozone%in%the%summer%as%nesting%and%rearing%habitats.%%Some%bird%species%such%as%willow%ptarmigan%and%snow%owl%are%found%yearYround%in%this%ecozone.%%%The%poorly%drained%wetlands%are%also%ideal%summer%breeding%grounds%for%mosquitoes,%black%flies%and%other%biting%insects.%%One%hectare%of%wetland%can%produce%more%than%10%thousand%mosquitoes!%%%Within%the%lakes%and%streams,%numerous%fish%species%can%be%found%including%brook%trout,%northern%pike%and%walleye.%%%%Slide%18:%The%final%ecozone%found%in%the%Canadian%Shield%physiographic%region%is%the%Southern%Arctic%ecozone.%%This%ecozone%occurs%in%the%northern%areas%of%the%region,%with%the%majority%found%in%the%continental%Northwest%Territories%and%Nunavut.%A%northern%portion%of%Quebec%is%also%classified%as%Southern%Arctic%(as%shown%in%the%figure%on%this%slide).%%This%ecozone%is%bounded%by%the%treeline%to%the%south%and%the%Northern%Arctic%ecozone%to%the%north.%%It%covers%over%832%thousand%square%kilometers%or%just%over%8%%of%Canada’s%landmass.%%%Slide%19%The%topography%of%the%Southern%Arctic%ecozone%consists%largely%of%rolling%plains%along%with%some%hills.%%The%plains%consist%of%various%types%including%coastal%plains%(with%marine%deposits)%and%drumlinized%plains%(with%glacial%deposits).%%Glacial%features%such%as%drumlins,%eskers%and%erratics%can%be%found%in%the%region.%%Erratics%are%large%chunks%of%rock%that%were%plucked%by%the%glacier%and%deposited%up%to%a%few%thousand%kilometers%from%their%source.%%They%will%generally%not%resemble%the%surrounding%rock.%%Kettle%lakes%can%also%be%found%in%this%ecozone;%created%when%buried%ice%blocks%that%broke%off%from%the%main%glacier%melted%and%left%a%depression%in%the%ground%surface.%%The%bedrock%in%the%region%is%predominantly%Precambrian%granite,%similar%to%the%Taiga%and%Boreal%Shield%ecozones.%%This%bedrock%may%be%exposed%in%areas%by%the%scarping%and%erosion%of%glaciers.%%%Permafrost%is%extensive%throughout%this%ecozone.%%The%surface%will%become%waterlogged%due%to%the%inability%of%water%to%flow%downward%and%repeated%freezing%and%thawing%creates%features%such%as%cellYlike%polygons%and%pattern%ground,%as%seen%in%the%figure%on%this%slide.%%The%valleys%between%each%cell%or%polygon%is%where%the%water%will%drain%when%present%at%the%surface,%resembling%an%irregularly%oriented%fluvial%system.%% Page%|%8%%%Slide%20:%Due%to%the%extensive%occurrence%of%permafrost%and%prevention%of%draining%of%the%surface%waters,%the%soils%in%the%Southern%Arctic%ecozone%are%dominated%by%cryosolic%order.%%This%soil%order%is%common%in%areas%with%pattern%ground%features%such%as%those%discussed%in%the%previous%slide.%%Also%common%throughout%this%ecozone%is%barren%ground%or%areas%with%no%soil%created%by%glacial%scouring%and%slowing%down%of%soil%forming%processes%by%the%relatively%colder%temperatures.%%%%Slide%21:%The%low%temperature,%low%precipitation%and%high%winds%that%occur%in%this%region%dictate%the%type%of%vegetation%present,%as%well%as%limit%biological%productivity.%%Stunted%forms%of%tree%species,%including%dwarf%birch,%arctic%willow,%least%willow,%tamarack%and%netYveined%willow,%grow%in%this%ecozone.%%Toward%the%southern%edge%of%the%ecozone%the%size%of%the%shrubs%is%on%average%1%meter,%while%shrubs%present%in%along%the%northern%margin%tend%to%be%only%a%few%centimeters%high.%%Other%species%that%grow%in%this%region%including%lichen,%sphagnum%moss,%cottongrass,%cloudberry%and%alpine%club%moss.%%Herbs%and%lichens%are%intermixed%with%the%shrubs,%while%mosses%and%sedges%dominate%the%wetland%areas.%%Slide%22:%The%mammal%and%bird%species%present%in%this%ecozone%are%also%limited%by%the%same%factors%that%control%the%flora%–%namely%the%low%temperature%and%precipitation.%%Large%carnivores%present%in%this%ecozone%include%the%grizzly%bear,%black%bear%and%wolves,%while%the%small%carnivores%include%red%and%arctic%fox,%lynx%and%coyote.%%Large%herbivores%such%as%muskox%and%moose,%and%small%herbivores%such%as%arctic%ground%squirrel,%snowshoe%hare%and%beaver%are%also%present%in%this%ecozone.%%As%discussed%previously,%millions%of%caribou%migrate%south%from%summer%calving%grounds%within%this%ecozone%into%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone.%%Marine%species%such%as%seals,%walrus%and%whales%can%be%found%in%the%northern%areas%of%this%ecozone%where%it%meets%the%marine%environment%of%the%Arctic.%%%Many%birds%migrate%to%this%ecozone%in%the%spring%to%breed%but%fly%south%for%the%winter.%%Whistling%swan,%snow%goose%and%oldsquaw%duck,%along%with%the%Canada%goose%and%arctic%loon,%are%common%migrating%waterfowl%that%use%this%ecozone%in%the%warmer%months.%%Willow%ptarmigan%will%migrate%south%to%the%Taiga%Shield%ecozone%in%the%winter%months%to%find%food%and%shelter.%The%roughYlegged%hawk%and%snowy%owl%are%characteristic%birds%of%prey%that%can%be%found%in%this%ecozone.%%%%%%% Page%|%9%%%Slide%23:%This%concludes%the%unit%on%soils,%flora%and%fauna%for%the%Canadian%Shield%region.%%I%hope%you%gained%an%appreciation%for%the%breadth%and%depth%of%soil,%flora%and%fauna%variability%in%this%physiographic%region,%and%how%the%geology%and%climate%has%influence%this%pattern.%%%You%should%review%the%supplementary%information%that%corresponds%to%this%unit%and%read%the%readings%listed.%%In%the%next%section%we%will%discuss%the%human%aspects%related%to%the%natural%environment%of%the%Canadian%Shield%physiographic%region,%by%exploring%the%natural%resources%and%national%parks.%%