unit three...curriculum outcomes 2.0 –students are expected to explain human-environmental...
TRANSCRIPT
Unit Three
The Ecozone Jigsaw
Curriculum Outcomes
2.0 – Students are expected to explainhuman-environmental interactions withinecozones.
2.1 – Explain the concept of ecozones.
2.2 – Identify and describe human-environmental interactions in selectedecozones.
2.3 – Respond to issues influencing human-environmental interactions in a selectedecozone.
What is an Ecozone?
a region based on a
combination of natural and
human characteristics that are
similar throughout.
What type of characteristics are
we talking about???
Characteristics of Ecozones
Humans
Landforms
Water
Climate
Soil
Natural Vegetation
Wildlife
Geology
These all interact with oneanother
People Affect Ecozones
Polluted air
Polluted water
Overfishing
Overcutting of forests
Disappearing wildlife
Biodiversity in Ecozones
All Ecozones vary in
Biodiversity
Biodiversity ->
Bio – living things
Diversity – a large variety
Biodiversity is the variety of living
things
All ecozones vary in the different
species that live there
Ecozones of Canada
The Ecozones of Canada are
divided into two parts.
5 Marine (water) Ecozones
This Ecozone will be covered in
another chapter.
15 Terrestrial (land) Ecozones
We will cover four of the fifteen
ecozones
Ecozones in Canada
Ecozones are divided into smaller
and smallerecosystems.
Ecozones have boundaries
• Boundary – line that separates oneregion from
another.
Youwill not see the boundary, but a gradual
change in the vegetation, climate andwildlife.
• Transition zone –a boundary where the
characteristics of one ecozone gradually blend
into those from another.
We will look at4 ecozones in more detail.
Terrestrial Ecozones
1. Boreal Shield
2. Mixedwood Plains
3. Montane Cordillera
4. Prairies
Boreal Shield
- The boreal, which means forest is the largest biome and natural ecosystem in the world.
- A biome is a large region on the Earth, such as a rainforest or desert, which is named for the distinct characteristics of the plants that live within it.
- A ecosystem is a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and with their physical environment.
Boreal Shield (Big Wild)
The Boreal Shield is a combination of two
important natural features:
The rocky Canadian Shield.
The coniferous northern forest.
Boreal Shield Landscape
Glaciation developed thinned soils, exposed
ancient granite bedrock, and many
depressions.
These depressions filled with water, forming
lakes, swamps and bogs.
It has a rich biodiversity of plants and animals.
Boreal Shield Vegetation
Black spruce is the most common
type of tree.
Hardy deciduous trees, such as birch
and poplar found on the southern
edge.
Lichens and shrubs like blueberry
bushes provide food for the moose
and black bear.
Boreal Shield Wildlife
Larger mammals like black bear,
lynx, coyote, timber wolf and
moose.
Smaller mammals like beaver, fox,
marten, otter, red squirrel and
snowshoe hare, as well fish and
amphibians.
230 different types of birds
Boreal Shield Wildlife con’t
Newfoundland Labrador supports aquatic
animals like seals, whales, northern pike,
pickerel, trout, and smallmouth bass.
Bugs, included beetles, dragonflies, mosquitoes,
etc. provided food for birds, fish and frogs.
Boreal Shield Climate
Continential Climate A climate type with a
wide annual range of temperature and low
precipitation influenced by its location away
from the moderating influence of an ocean.
Maritime Climate A wet, moderate
climate type that is influenced by the closeness
of an ocean.
Boreal Shield People
The Scattered communities support about 4 million people.
Aboriginals, as well as others, rely on the resources like minerals, forestry, fishing, farming and hunting.
People are also dependent on businesses in construction and tourism.
Boreal Shield
Turn to page 121 and do questions 1-4.
Case Study -> Moose in Gros
Morne National Park
Complete the
following questions1. What is the problem
addressed in this case study?
2. Describe THREE reasons
why the moose population has
grown so much in the park.
3. Choose THREE stakeholders
from the final page and
describe how you think these
people would feel about this
situation
4. What is your opinion on how
this situation should be
handled? Explain
Montane Cordillera
• Most of this ecozone
lies in British
Columbia with about
10% in Alberta.
• Rows of mountains
are separated by wide
valleys, and a
plateau, which is an
area of elevated, flat
land.
Montane Cordillera
• Natural vegetation depends on its location on the mountains or in the valleys.
• Windward (west) side of a mountain recieves orographic precipitation creating dense coniferous forest.
• Alpine tundra is found on the top of the mountain where it is too cold and wind swept for tree to grow.
Montane Cordillera
• Leeward (east) side of
the mountain do not
receive as much
precipitation and are
protected from the
westerly winds.
• Grasses and sagebrush
grow in the valleys of
these dry regions.
Montane Cordillera
• The beauti of watersheds, mountains and forests provides an excellent opportunity for tourism and recreation.
• Forestry is also an important industry in this region providing many jobs.
• The soils is ideal for fruit farming and vineyards.
• Coal deposits have resulted in many mines.
Montane Cordillera
• Two major challenges:
1. Only 5% of the land is suitable for agriculture.
2. Urban growth, industrialization, and increasing tourism are causing increasing pressure on the fresh water supply of the ecozone.
Montane Cordillera
• Turn to page 127 and do questions 1, 2
and 4.
Prairie
Appears flat, but has many
potholes and slough
(pronounced sloo) can be seen
due to glaciation.
Many depressions are filled
with water supporting a wide
variety of plants and wildlife.
During period of dry weather
this region experiences
drought.
Prairie
River valleys with many small tributaries canbe seen flowing across Prairie land.
The area includes many hills and erodedbadlands created by the erosion of sedimentary rock.
Gently rolling grasslands gives way to trees, mainly aspen and poplar.
Prairie
A continental climate can be found in thisregion, dry with extreme range in temperature, winters are cold and summers are hot.
Climate is caused by: centre of continent, Rocky Mountains is a barrier to rain-bearingwinds, dry arctic air making winters long and cold, long distance from any large bodies of water.
Prairie
Extreme summer thunderstorms and in some case tornadoes.
Lowest rainfall in Canada ranging from 250-700 millimeters.
Many farmers build shelterbelts and windbreaks to protect farmsfrom chinook winds.
Prairie
Grows many crops such as,
wheat, barley, canola, peas
and lentils.
Livestock operations such as,
beef, dairy cattle and hogs.
Soil has a thick layer of
topsoil providing rich, fertile
organic materal known as
humus.
Prairie
Factors such as pesticides, over farming,
drought and over grazing by animals can
be determental to this ecozone.
The economy for this region is the oil and
gas industry, agriculture and mining.
Prairie
Turn to page 136-137 and do questions
1, 2, 3 and 5.
Mixedwood Plains
This is the smallest
ecozone covering only
9% of Canada’s total
land area.
More than 60% of the
total Canadain
population and is
home 50% of
Canada’s endangered
species.
Mixedwood Plains
Borders three of the five Great Lakes
and extends alond the St. Lawrence
Seaway to Quebec City.
Next door to its most important
trading partner-USA, which is
convenient for the transportation of
people and goods.
Mixedwood Plains Climate, Soil,
etc.
Relatively warm and moderate
climate.
Mainly flat land with rich fertile soils to
support agriculture and food-
processing industries.
Produce such as fruits, vegetables
and wines.
Mixedwood Plains con’t
This region is called the Canadian Heartland and an Industrial Powerhouse, where two-thirds of the country’s goods are produced.
Around the area of Lake Ontario (Greater Golder Horseshoe) is a dense concentration of industries and commerce.
The larger region is known as the Windsor-Quebec Corridor; industrial parks, heavy industry (oil refineries) and rows of hydroelectric power lines.
Mixwood Plains con’t
Tourism and recreation are important part of this regions diverse economy.
Niagara Falls, Ontario Science Centre, CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and old Quebec City.
Hockey, Baseball, Basketball, Football and Lacrosse.
Mixedwood Plains con’t
100 people per square kilometre – ten
times denser than anywhere else in
Canada.
Ontario has 12.8 million residents with
90% living in Mixedwood Plains.
Quebec has 8 million with 80% living
in Montreal, Quebec City and Trois-
Rivieres.
Mixedwood Plains
Argriculture, logging and the growth of cities have completely changed this ecosystem.
More than 90% of the original wetlands have been drained for farming and urban development.
This ecosystem originally consisted of thick, green forest cover with a mix of coniferous trees (eastern pine, red pine and hemlock).
Mixedwood Plains
This region also included abundance of
deciduous (sugar maple, red oak, and
white elm).
Most species have disappeared with the
exception of white-tailed deer, foxes, and
grey and black squirrels.
Some species have adapted including
coyotes, raccoons, mice, and groundhogs.
Living within cities (nuissance)
Mixedwood Plains
Turn to page 149 and do questions 1
and 2.
Protecting The Ecozones
United Nations guidelines suggested each Country protect 12% of total land use.
All people involved with the use and protection are called Stakeholders.
Stewardships involve taking care of private land or donating land for protection.