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:

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