The Hudson PlainsThe Hudson Plains

By: Jackie NguyenCGC1D6

Key TermsKey Terms

Ecozone: an area on the earth’s surface with a unique combination of plants, animals, climate,

landforms, and human activities

Active Layer: a layer of soil above permafrost that thaws and freezes seasonally

Talik: a layer of soil beneath permafrost that is not frozen

Map of the RegionMap of the Region

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Flat terrain that wraps around the bottom of Hudson Bay, in northern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec

90% wetlands, and makes up 25% of the world’s. Is in two of Canada’s vegetation regions: the Tundra and

Boreal and Taiga. Vegetation appears only at higher altitudes due to permafrost

in the Tundra and the large volumes of water along the Hudson Bay coast. There are no trees in the Tundra, but more appear moving south into Boreal and Taiga. Black spruce, white spruce, tamarack, trembling aspen and trembling willow may be found.

Characteristics Cont.’dCharacteristics Cont.’d

Hudson Bay has a moderating effect on the climate of the areas around it. Temperatures range from -18°C during the long, cold winters to 11°C during the short, cool summers. Precipitation ranges from 400 mm to 800 mm annually, and the growing season lasts for 90-150 days.

In the northern region of this ecozone, soil is covered in permafrost, so few plants can grow. In the south, the dirt is thin and acidic, with a lot of leaching.

Black Spruce Trembling Aspen

HumanHuman ActivitiesActivities

Cold temperatures and infertile soil make it difficult for plants and trees to grow in the Tundra, so residents rely on tourism and subsistence activities to survive

Area is lacking in timber and minerals Fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife, ocean coasts and scenic

views bring most tourists Wapusk National Park is found in this eco region

Polar bear

Photo One: Soil profile in the TundraPhoto Two: Map of Wapusk National

Park in Manitoba, Canada

Notable FactsNotable Facts

Positive Point Churchill acts as a major ocean port for ships transporting

potash and wheat.

Negative Point Permafrost in northern Manitoba prevents the growth of

many plants.

Interesting Point Most people living in this region reside in what was once a

fur trading post for the Natives and settlers.

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

There are many marine and land living animals in this region, for example: polar bears, beluga whales, and seals. However, this water is chemically polluted. The people living in the Hudson Plains sometimes have traces of mercury in their bodies, from consuming foods that had been contaminated from having been in the water.

Beluga Whale Seal

ReferencesReferences

http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/153583/http://www.parkwardens.com/zone8/12.htmlhttp://ecozones.ca/english/zone/HudsonPlains/http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/ecozones/

hudsonplains/hudsonplains.htmhttp://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/

natural-regions/#h3_jump_8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Plains_Ecoregion