Biodiversity in Alberta

The Boreal Natural Region is a huge northern ecosystem covering 381,000 km² or 58% of the province. The boreal consists of a mosaic of upland forests interspersed with lowland forests and an abundance of low-lying wetlands, bogs, and fens. Lodgepole Pine, Jack Pine, White Spruce, and Aspen occupy the upland, Black Spruce and Larch in the lowlands. A great diversity of understory plants can be found depending on environmental conditions; Common Blueberry, Bog Cranberry, Labrador Tea, and One-sided Wintergreen are examples of common species. Peatlands provide a unique set of ecological conditions (limited oxygen, low nutrient availability, acidic soil), which supports a distinctive set of flora such as the Northern Green Bog Orchid and the Round-leaved Sundew. The boreal forest is considered the “bird nursery” of North America and serves as the breeding grounds for millions of birds each year.
 

Characteristic species: Bog Cranberry, Round-leaved Sundew, Palm Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Canada Lynx, Snowshoe Hare, Arctic Grayling, Canadian Toad.

The Canadian Shield Natural Region occupies an area of 9,719 km² (or 1.5% of Alberta) in the northeastern corner of Alberta. This relatively flat landscape is predominately covered by exposed bedrock and glacial deposits interspersed with numerous shallow lakes and wetlands. What vegetation there is occurs in “pockets” such as rock crevices or other sheltered locations where enough soil has accumulated for plants to take root. Jack Pine uplands and Black Spruce bogs make up most of the vegetation. Common plants in the understory include Bearberry, Common Blueberry, Bog Cranberry, Labrador Tea, feathermosses, and a variety of drought-tolerant ferns. Lichen communities form patchy carpets on rock faces and slopes, and on the forest floor. The variety of habitats from lakes and wetlands, to upland and lowland forests, to rocky cliffs and islands, provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species. The lakes and wetlands support a diversity of waterfowl and shorebird species.

Characteristic species: Bearberry, Labrador Tea, lichen communities, Bonaparte’s Gull, Common Tern, Boreal Chickadee, Moose, Beaver, Gray Wolf, Canada Lynx, Wood Frog, Canadian Toad, Northern Pike, Walleye, Shortjaw Cisco.

 

The Foothills Natural Region is a zone of mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, rolling fields and rocky outcrops covering approximately 66,000 km² or 10% of the province. As a transitional ecosystem between the Rocky Mountain Natural Region to the west, and the Boreal Natural Regions to the east and north, biodiversity in the foothills is generally a mix of these surrounding natural regions. Lodgepole Pine, Aspen, and White Spruce are commonly found in the forested canopy, with Labrador Tea, Tall Bilberry, and Low Bush Cranberry growing on the forest floor. Many wildlife species such as Elk are widely distributed throughout the Rocky Mountains and Foothills Natural Regions. Boreal Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Spruce Grouse all occur in the Foothills, Rocky Mountain, and Boreal Natural Regions.

Characteristic vertebrate species: Pileated Woodpecker, Flying Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Cougar, Elk, Bull Trout.


 

The Grassland Natural Region occupies almost 96,000 km², or 14% of Alberta stretching from the Rocky Mountain foothills in the west to the Saskatchewan border to the east. This classic prairie landscape is defined by the diversity of grasses that cover the rolling terrain, including species like the Blue Grama Grass, Northern Wheatgrass, Needle-and-thread Grass, and Plains Rough Fescue. Trees and shrubs, such as the Narrow-leaf Cottonwood, Silver Sagebrush and Prickly Rose are commonly found in depressions, along creeks, and in coulees and ravines. Wildflowers, like the Prairie Crocus, Three-flowered Avens, and Prairie Coneflower add a succession of colour throughout the growing season in prairie ecosystems. Bird species like the Chestnut-collared Longspur, Baird’s Sparrow, and Sprague’s Pipit rely on native prairie habitat for nesting and foraging. Richardson’s Ground Squirrel can be found burrowing throughout the Grassland Natural Region. 

Characteristic species: Prairie Crocus, Prairie Coneflower, Baird’s Sparrow, Sprague’s Pipit, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Richardson’s Ground Squirrel, Porcupine, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, Spadefoot Toad, Northern Leopard Frog, Wandering Garter Snake.

 

The Parkland Natural Region occupies approximately 61,000 km² or 10% of Alberta, forming a broad transitional band between the Grassland Natural Region to the south, and the Boreal Natural Region to the north. There are no species that are unique to this region but instead plant and animal communities share characteristics of these neighbouring ecosystems. Much of the Parkland Natural Region has been converted for agricultural purposes. The remaining native vegetation is a mixture of grasslands interspersed with Aspen woodlands where well-known plants like Snowberry, Saskatoon, Chokecherry, and Prickly Rose are commonly found. Wildflowers like the Prairie Crocus, Purple Peavine, Common Pink Wintergreen, and Wild Sasparilla brighten the landscape. The abundance of wetlands, particularly in the east, are part of the prairie pothole region, otherwise known as the “duck factory” of North America. This is a globally significant breeding and migratory stopover area for waterfowl, shorebirds, and landbirds. The juxtaposition of croplands and pastures with natural habitats like native grasslands, wetlands, windbreaks, and forests provide foraging and breeding opportunities for a diversity of wildlife species. 

Characteristics species: Trembling Aspen, Prickly Rose, Saskatoon, White-tailed Deer, Coyote, Snowshoe Hare, Blue Jay, Northern Flicker, Plains Garter Snake.

The Rocky Mountain Natural Region stretches for over 700 km along Alberta’s western border covering approximately 49,000 km² (7.4% of the province). This dramatic landscape features jagged mountain peaks, glaciers and snowfields, forest-covered mountain slopes, and an abundance of streams. The variation in terrain, climate, and latitude has created niches for a whole range of species. High altitude alpine meadows are blanketed by dwarf shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants, which support species like the Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, American Pipit, Hoary Marmot, and Grizzly Bear during the summer months. The rocky terrain is also hospitable for some species like the Mountain Goat and Pika. Moving down in elevation to the conifer-covered mountain slopes, Engelmann Spruce, Subalpine Fir, Lodgepole Pine, and White Spruce dominate in the canopy, while species like False Azalea, Bearberry, and Buffaloberry are commonly found in the understory. Bird diversity includes species found nowhere else in Alberta, such as the Varied Thrush, Clark’s Nutcracker and Townsend’s Warbler.

Characteristic vertebrate species: Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, Varied Thrush, Clark’s Nutcracker, Townsend’s Warbler, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, Hoary Marmot, Pika, Grizzly Bear, Woodland Caribou (Central Mountain Designatable Unit), Long-toed Salamander, Westslope Cutthroat Trout.