BOREAL FOREST REGION /81 \ /2
GEOGRAPHY Boreal Forest Region Did you know that the Boreal Forest region is the largest natural region in Alberta? 2 national parks in this region are: /2 Wood Buffalo 2.Elk Island LANDFORMS Read p. 100 in Our Alberta Book 1 /6 This region has caves formed in the bedrock. How were they made? Gypsum, a mineral in the rock, was dissolved by water What mineral is plentiful in the region? salt What is it used for? Table salt, road salt, water softeners BODIES OF WATER Read pp. 101 in Our Alberta Book 1 /9 What 4 river systems in this region connect the Rocky Mountains to the Arctic Ocean? Athabasca, Smoky, Hay, Peace
Alberta s biggest lake trout was caught in 1929 in Cold Lake. It weighed 23.8kg In the 1940 s and 1950 s Cold Lake was known as the Dead Sea because of over fishing. CLIMATE Read p. 102 in Our Alberta Book 1 /10 Compared to Alberta s other regions to the south, the Boreal Forest region has longer winters, shorter and cooler summers and more rain. This region has the most northern place in North America where grain is grown. Where is it? Peace River area Why? It receives moist, warm air from British Columbia. What crops are grown? alfalfa and clover VEGETATION Read p. 103 in Our Alberta Book 1 /6 The Boreal Forest region is part of a band of boreal forests that extends mainly around the northern part of the globe. Boreal forests are mainly coniferous trees with some deciduous trees.
Types of plants that grow on the ground, under the trees are: Buffalo berry, Labrador tea, blueberry and willow ANIMAL LIFE Read p. 104 in Our Alberta Book 1 /15 By reading the graph on p. 104, we know that there are 40 different kinds of fish in the Boreal Forest region. How many types of mammals are there? 45 Amphibians? 5 Birds? 235 In the 1940 s, only 22 whooping cranes were left in the world! Where was a nesting area discovered? Wood Buffalo national park What is the name of the Alberta scientist who has worked to protect whooping cranes? Ernie Kuyt What did he do? He collected eggs from the nest s How many pairs of whooping cranes are there in Wood Buffalo National Park now? 55 Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada s largest park. It was established to protect herds of wood bison. In 1906, Elk Island National Park was established to protect elk from being hunted. It is also a sanctuary for bison. It is the only national park in Canada that is totally fenced.
Read about the ecosystem on p.106. What is one way people can be a positive part of the ecosystem? Stop cutting down trees. Early Settlement /5 Read about Lac La Biche on p.108. It has been an important settlement for more than 224 years. Using the details on this page, draw a picture of life as you imagine it in 1860.
NATURAL RESOURCES Read pp. 112-115 in Our Alberta Book 1 /14 The major industries of this region are: Forestry and petroleum. In how many Alberta communities, is forestry the main industry? 45 34 000 jobs in this industry involve: Planting and harvesting or making lumber, paneling and pulp. Sales of lumber, timber and pulp products amount to about 12 billion dollars every year in Alberta. Brainstorm some wood products found in your classroom: Making Connections: Read the Points of View on p. 116-117. What point of view do you most relate to? Why?
terrain : Boreal Forest Region Vocabulary /7 muskeg: permafrost: sanctuary: ecosystem: controlled burns: bitumen:
What do you find most interesting about GOD S CREATION in the Parkland Region? Explain why: /5
terrain The features of the surface of the ground in an area muskeg Swampy water mixed with partly dead vegetation permafrost Permanently frozen soil sanctuary A place where animal life is protected from hunter or other dangers ecosystem A complete and balanced natural area, including vegetation and the animals controlled burns Fires set on purpose by trained teams to get rid of unhealthy or dry forest materials bitumen A thick, dark, sticky, tar-like oil