Canadian Boreal Forest
Boreal forests are a type of biome, along with savannas, deserts, tropical rainforests, etc. They are in the Northern Hemisphere and are characterized by their colder temperatures, lower amounts of biodiversity, and lots of wetland. The Canadian Boreal Forest is the largest forest on Earth, spanning 1.3 billion acres. It is an integral part of carbon storage, as it is able to store twice as much carbon as tropical rainforests. It is known for being a major habitat for birds, with around 325 different species inhabiting the area. It is also home to over 600 Indigenous communities. The forest is broken up into seven ecozones, all with their own unique characteristics. The one covered in this episode is the Boreal Shield Ecozone, which is the largest, making up around 20% of Canada’s landmass. It contains many freshwater sources and is rich in wildlife. The plants covered in this episode are jack pine, tamarack, speckled alder, willow, sphagnum, and water lilies.
Jack Pine
Jack pine, or Pinus banksiana, is one of the most common trees in the Boreal Shield Ecosystem. It is a pine tree that grows up to 30-72 feet tall, which is on the medium-large side. Pine cones hang on the branches for up to ten years, which is pretty unique.
Tamarack
Tamarack, or Larix laricina, is another type of tree common in this area. It’s on the medium-small side, at heights of 33-66 feet. The needles turn a vibrant yellow in the autumn, but other than that they are light green. It is typically found in bogs and swamps.
Speckled Alder
Speckled alder, or Alnus incana, is a smaller tree prevalent in the Boreal Shield Ecozone, and can even be classified as a shrub. It grows to around 15-25 feet. The bark is classified by its light-colored pores.
Willow
Willow, or Salix, gets to average heights of 15-40 feet. It is extremely fast-growing and can absorb large amounts of water. It has really strong and wide-reaching root systems. The color of the leaves changes with the seasons. It has gained some popularity due to literature, spirituality, and symbolism.
Sphagnum
Sphagnum is a genus of several species of mosses. It can hold large amounts of water within its cells. It is found in boggy areas where it floats on top of the water, and is strong enough to sustain the weight of multiple large moose.
Water Lilies
Water lilies, or Nymphaeaceae, are aquatic plants and grow to heights of 60-120 cm. They have large white flowers that have made them distinct. They are freshwater species and prefer still water, where they float at the top.
Sources: The Government of Canada, SoftSchools, NRDC, The Nature Conservancy, Wikipedia, WindBreakTress, Brandeis University