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Canadian Aspen forests and parklands (WWF ecoregion NA0802)


Wetlands, west of Edmonton, Alberta (c) 2005 Scott and Ruth Bassett

Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 4 (nationally important)
This is the largest boreal-grassland transition in the world and has some of the most extensive waterfowl breeding habitat.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 1 (critical)
Less than 10% of the habitat in this region remains intact.  Conversion to agricultural cropland and grazing is responsible for most of the habitat loss.*

Characteristic species*
 

Populus tremuloides

(quaking aspen)

Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar)

Picea glauca (white spruce)

Abies balsamea (balsam fir)

Pinus banksiana (jack pine)
Carex spp. (sedges)
Salix spp. (willows)
Picea mariana (black spruce) (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaurmann

Larix laricina (tamarack)

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 280-282.

Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2005 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use