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Boreal Plain

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Name	†	Color on Map	CEC Code‡
Mid-Boreal Uplands and Peace-Wabaska Lowlands	○		5.4.1
Clear Hills and Western Alberta Uplands	○		5.4.2
Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plain	○		5.4.3

† Status: ✓ = Complete ○ = Needs Image … = Incomplete ∅ = Stub Only

‡ This code refers to the CEC's Level 3 ecoregion codes for North America, see here.

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↑About the Boreal Plain

The Boreal Plains are an ecozone in Canada (corresponding to a Level II ecoregion in the US) extending westward from Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, into much of central Alberta and Saskatchewan. This region can be seen as the northernmost extension of the Great Plains, but it is classified as part of the Northern Forests due to higher forest cover.

This region consists of plains and low-lying valleys. Although rainfall is low, cold temperatures reduce evaporation and result in abundant water availability for the growth of forests as well as agricultural uses. Most of the land is covered by coniferous forest, with relatively few hardwoods. There are some lakes and wetlands, and bogs on poorly-drained sites. Fire is frequent, playing a major role in the ecosystem dynamics.

The remoteness of this area from human population centers has resulted in less resource extraction than in many parts of Canada. There is, however, extensive forestry in the area, and fire suppression and habitat fragmentation have become issues of concern.

To the north, this region opens up to the more barren Taiga Plain. To the west, it is bordered by the mountainous Western Cordillera. To the south lies the beginning of the Temperate Prairies, which are milder in temperature, but more open due to lower moisture levels. To the east lies the Softwood (Boreal) Shield, the region most similar to this one among its neighbors.

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