Posted learning material 1 Flashcards
Canada’s physical landscape is comprised of several(3) geomorphic (or physiographic) regions including
5 main physiographic areas
the shield, several platforms or plains and plateau, and mountains
- Cordillera
- Interior Plains
- Canadian Shield
- Hudsons Bay Lowlands
- Arctic Lands
CANADA IS COLD HAIL ARCTIC
The Canadian Shield
what kind of rocks
Dominent presence (4.7 million square km) includes most of Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and Nunavut. -some rocks over 500 million years old
has grannite and gneiss often in association with other volcanic and sedimentary rocks. It is also very rich in terms of economically valuable minerals—gold, silver, uranium, copper, and nickel.
-formed by glaciers in pleistocene
Glaciers?
what did the glaciers do to the canadian shield
Evidence remains of four glacial periods from the Pleistocene. The most recent, the Wisconsin Glacial Period, ended but a short time ago, geologically speaking, and portions of the Hudson Bay
The great pressures exerted by the moving ice and the force of the enormous quantities of meltwater altered the underlying landscape. The result is a rugged land of rock outcroppings, bogs and muskegs, eskers, drumlins, and lake basins scoured out of the underlying bedrock.Lowlands are still rebounding from the effects of the tremendous weight of ice that was more than one kilometre thick in some places.
what are the artic soils like
Today, soils in the Arctic and Subarctic portions are generally poor, thin, acidic, or even non-existent. These conditions, combined with the harsh climate typical of this region, help explain why agriculture has never been a significant activity in much of Canada’s North
What are the platforms
Name the 3 main platforms
hysiographic divisions important to our study area include the Interior Plains (or Western Interior Plains), the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and the Arctic Lowlands
Interior plain
The Interior Plains physiographic region contains vast quantities of oil and gas and has been an important area for development for many decades.
The Interior Plains is a large, crescent-shaped sedimentary basin of Cambrian and Tertiary origin. It extends from the United States border, north to the Mackenzie River delta and is bordered to the east by the exposed Canadian Shield and to the west by the rugged Cordillera. The Interior Plains, while often considered flat, does offer a variety of landscapes, as evidenced in southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Economically, the Interior Plains are one of the most significant portions of Canada’s North. The horizontal sedimentary deposits are rich in oil and gas deposits and are being developed throughout the Northwest Territories. These same plains have allowed Alberta and Saskatchewan to become the resource-rich provinces they are today. The Northwest Territories is now taking advantage of these resources.
what is considered the northern portion of the interior plains
The northern portion of the Plain is represented by the Mackenzie Lowlands and is low-lying land between Lake Athabasca and the Arctic Ocean. In the Mackenzie Delta are found flat-lying sands, silts, and gravels for 200 km in length and 60 km in width. The northern portion of the plain is a periglacial environment, with migrating herds of barren-ground caribou being characteristic.
Hudson Bay Lowlands
The Hudson Bay Lowlands region is flat, sedimentary plain sloping into Hudson Bay. It still is experiencing isostatic rebound as the earth’s crust is responding to the relatively recent glacial retreat. It is a land of peatlands or muskeg and, compared to other areas of Canada, is limited in resources.
Arctic Lowlands
The Arctic Lowlands is a large platform area forming the Arctic Archipelago. These lands are composed mainly of limestone sediments and represented by a series of low islands where permafrost is common and often very deep. Fossil fuels are also found here.
what are the 2 mountain areas in northern canada
Two major mountain areas are found in Northern Canada: the Cordillera, located in British Columbia and the Yukon; and the Innuitians, located in Nunavut. The Torngat Mountains can be found within Labrador.
the cordillera
The Cordillera is comprised of relatively young mountains, formed by folding and faulting, or by past volcanic activity for the ranges near the coast. The Cordillera is a complex mixture of mountain ranges that have been deeply dissected or eroded. Large valleys and intermontane areas are found throughout. Altitudinal and latitudinal variations influence local climate characteristics, resulting in a wide variety of natural landscapes being found throughout the region.
The Innuitians
he Innuitians are Canada’s northern-most mountains represented by a series of high, narrow ranges stretching from the central Labrador coast to northern Ellesmere Island. Glaciers and icefields still remain within this rugged, isolated, very sparsely inhabited northern landscape.
climate. what influences it
7 climate types
the most important being latitude, proximity to large water bodies (e.g., oceans, Great Lakes, etc.), and local geographic conditions (e.g., mountain ranges)
Canada’s strongly seasonal climate is characteristic of mid to high latitude regions. Some portions of the nation show the moderating influence of oceans and large water bodies, while other areas experience the classic effects of continentality. It can be a harsh climate.
Pacific Climate Cordillera Climate Prairie Climate Great Lakes—St. Lawrence Lowlands Climate Atlantic Canada Climate Subarctic Climate Arctic Climate
how does climate influence society
Coming to terms with winter has presented a series of technological challenges in transportation, communications, construction of homes and other buildings, urban design, and snow removal. The ability, or lack thereof, to respond to these challenges has played an important role in the history of North American society. This is particularly true in the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where human society has been compelled to cope with extreme cold, long periods of darkness, and many months of winter.
for this class, what is the climate considered as? what are the subtypes?
Basic Elements of norrthern climate
For the purposes of our study, we can describe the climate as being a polar climate that has four climatic subtypes – Arctic, Subarctic, Mountain (Cordillera), and Ice Cap.
This course is not focused on the details of climate, but you should be aware of some basic elements:
Temperature gets colder and precipitation becomes less with increased latitude.
Climates can be described as continental and maritime.
Continental climates are located within large continents. They are strongly influenced by latitudinal location. In northern Canada these are generally cold and dry climates. They usually have large variations in average daily temperature – with very strong seasonal differences.
The proximity to large water bodies produces a more maritime climate which can be moister and have more moderate daily and seasonal temperature changes compared to a more interior, continental climate.
Canada’s northlands are dominated by two major natural regions (biomes)
the Boreal Forest and the Tundra.
Boreal Forest
what are the dominent species
how does it changes depending on the lattitude
More than one quarter of Canada is covered by coniferous forest, much of which is still in a wilderness condition. This natural region is associated with the Subarctic Climate. The Boreal Forest, unlike some more diverse forests in southern Canada, has relatively uniform vegetation and structure. Jack pine, black and white spruce, balsam fir, and tamarack are the dominant tree species, although trembling aspen and white birch are also found. Soils are thin and acidic; discontinuous permafrost may occur. Bogs, muskeg, and black flies are typical features of the region.
Examining the forest from south to north, we see the effects of latitude and changing climate. In the south, the coniferous forest mixes with the aspen parkland of western Canada and the deciduous forests of eastern Canada. Conifers dominate further north, although tree density and species diversity decline with the harsh climate. Eventually, the treeline is reached. The treeline represents the boundary between the Boreal Forest Region and the treeless Tundra. The treeline is generally considered to coincide with the 10o C July isotherm.
Tundra
This low, undulating plain is spread across much of Canada north of the treeline. The harsh climate constrains both plant growth and animal survival. Plants are generally low-growing to avoid the strong, cold winds, and wildlife species usually migrate out of the region to avoid the long, harsh winters. Permafrost is typical and when the active layer melts in the summer, the Tundra becomes wet, boggy, and mosquito infested. It is a unique environment and provides a critical feeding and nesting habitat for millions of geese, ducks, swans, and other migratory birds. The region has large populations of barren-ground caribou, wolves, muskoxen and polar bears. The Tundra, however, is an extremely fragile environment.
What is the polar north
This natural region is associated with the Arctic Climate zone. The northern portions of this climate zone are very cold, with very low precipitation. Therefore, the northern portions of the Tundra are often referred to as a Polar Desert.
how much is the temperature in the north suppose to rise by 2100
Various climate change models have been used to predict into the future, and the forecast for the global mean temperature change (increase) by the year 2100 is 2 to 4C. However, for the Arctic the change is projected to be 2 to 3 times greater!
What are the reasons as to why warming is amplified in the North, 4
Decreasing sea ice cover reduces surface albedo (reflection of solar energy) and increases heat absorption. Loss of ice covers allows for greater heat exchange from water to the atmosphere. The Troposphere (lower part of atmosphere) is thinning in the Arctic and more responsive to temperature change. The warming of lower latitudes enhances the poleward flux of heat in the Arctic.
Development Defined
Development, as defined by Rea (1968) is “the establishment of economic activities in a given area and the subsequent creation of the political and other social institutions which we have come to regard as being the normal attributes of a civilized country.”
define periglacial
relating to or denoting an area adjacent to a glacier or ice sheet or otherwise subject to repeated freezing and thawing.
define Transiency
the state or fact of lasting only for a short time; transitory nature.
The Interior Plains physiographic region contains vast quantities of ____ and ____ and has been an important area for development for many decades.
The Interior Plains physiographic region contains vast quantities of oil and gas and has been an important area for development for many decades.
Canada has well over ___ million hectares of forest and less then half of __% is harvested annually
Natural disturbances affect 5 times more then harvesting
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Why is the artic refered to as the polar desert
This natural region is associated with the Arctic Climate zone. The northern portions of this climate zone are very cold, with very low precipitation. Therefore, the northern portions of the Tundra are often referred to as a Polar Deser
