Muskwa-Slave Lake Boreal Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Called the "Serengeti of the Far North"
Snapshot: Ecoregion 81
Size:
525,000 sq. km (203,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Boreal Forests/Taiga
Geographic Location:
Canada
Conservation Status:
Relatively Stable/Intact
Quiz Time!
Is the Artic ground squirrel found in this ecoregion?
Answer:
Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryi) are the only member of this group found above the Arctic Circle, in this ecoregion. Well-adapted to these harsh conditions, the arctic ground squirrel may hibernate for as long as seven months of the year.
Answer:
Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryi) are the only member of this group found above the Arctic Circle, in this ecoregion. Well-adapted to these harsh conditions, the arctic ground squirrel may hibernate for as long as seven months of the year.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Muskwa-Slave Lake forests; Northern Cordillera forests.
Encompassing a series of plains and mountains, including portions of the Mackenzie River plain and Caribou mountains, the Muskwa-Slave lake boreal forests experience cool summers and very cold winters characterised by low precipitation.The resulting habitats, which are forests dominated by spruce and fir trees, support one of North America's most diverse and intact large mammal systems.
Local Species
The vegetation is characterised by Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), White spruce (Picea glauca), Balsam fir (Abies balsamea), Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), and Black spruce (Picea mariana).
A large and relatively intact predator-prey system is distinctive and unique, including Wolves (Canis lupus), Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), and Moose (Alces alces). Other animals include Muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), Ptarmigan (Lagopus spp.), and Snowy owl (Nyctea scandiaca).
Threats
Most of the ecoregion is intact but logging has heavily impacted some local watersheds, especially in the riparian habitats. Highway construction and oil pipelines pose additional threats.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
