Taiga
Shield & Hudson Plains
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This
BCR includes the Hudson Plains-the largest extensive area of wetlands in
the world-and extends east and west onto the Canadian Shield. The
subarctic climate is characterized by relatively short, cool summers
with prolonged periods of daylight and long, very cold winters. The
poorly drained areas of the Hudson Plains support dense
sedge-moss-lichen covers, with open wood lands of black spruce and
tamarack in better-drained sites. Coastal marshes and extensive tidal
flats are present along the coastline. The Canadian Shield is
characterized in upland sites and along rivers by open, mixed-wood
forests of white spruce, balsam fir, trembling aspen, balsam poplar, and
white birch. Further north, approaching the limit of tree growth,
stunted black spruce and jack pine dominate, accompanied by alder,
willow, and tamarack in the fens and bogs. Thousands of lakes and
wetlands occur in glacially carved depressions, and peat-covered
lowlands are commonly waterlogged or wet for prolonged periods due to
discontinuous but widespread permafrost. The abundance of water provides
an important habitat for breeding waterfowl. Representative bird include
Black Scoter, Whimbrel, Rock and Willow Ptarmigan, Gray-cheeked Thrush,
American Tree Sparrow, Short-billed Dowitcher, Common Redpoll, Harris's
Sparrow, Northern Shrike, Blackpoll Warbler, Fox Sparrow, and
Rough-legged Hawk. The coasts of Hudson and James Bay provide critical
shorebird staging habitat, funneling millions of birds southwards during
fall migration.
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