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Eastern Forest/Boreal Transition (WWF ecoregion NA0406)


Algonquin National Park, Ontario (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann

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)
Forests in this ecoregion are a mixture of deciduous and coniferous species.  This is the southern limit of timber wolves in eastern North America.  The most widespread old-growth red and white pine stands remain here.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 3 (vulnerable)
10% of the ecoregion remains as intact habitat.  It is highly fragmented by forestry settlements, ski facilities and agriculture.*

Characteristic species*
Picea glauca (white spruce)

 

Abies balsamea (balsam fir)

 

Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen)

 

Betula papyrifera (paper birch)

 

Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch)

 

Pinus resinosa (red pine)

 

Pinus strobus (white pine)

 

Pinus banksiana (jack pine)

 

Acer saccharum  (sugar maple)

Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock)

Fagus grandifolia (American beech)

 

Larix laricina (tamarack)

 

Thuja occidentalis (eastern white cedar)

 

Picea mariana (black spruce) (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann

Acer rubrum (red maple)

 

Fraxinus nigra (black ash)

 

Some views from the ecoregion

Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario

(c) 2005 Scott and Ruth Bassett   hires