Canadian Geography 1202

2.2 Human-Environmental Interactions in Selected Ecozones

Overview

In this section we will explore how humans use resources to meet their needs in various ecosystems

We will focus on:

Resource use

Settlement

Communication

Transportation

Recreation

Resource Use

Resource: Anything that can be used by people to help meet needs or wants

Boreal Shield: The abundant forest is the main resource in the Boreal Shield.

Forestry is the main economic activity.

Mixedwood Plains: Rich soils make the mixedwood plains the most productive farming area in Canada

Montane Cordillera: The rich forests and mineral wealth of the mountains combine to give his ecozone both forestry and mining as profitable economic activities.

Resource Use

The Southern Arctic: People in the southern arctic rely on oil and gas, mining and subsistence hunting to meet their needs.

The Prairie: Farming has been the most important economic activity on the Prairies. There has also been a lot of oil and gas development here.

The Atlantic: The fishery is the most important resource in this ecozone, traditionally the cod fishery was the most important. Now other species are exploited.

Settlement

Boreal Shield: The rivers and lakes of the Boreal Shield have guided settlement. They have provided transportation networks for the people who have lived there.

Mixedwood Plains: This is where the biggest cities in Canada have always been. Rich farming, and industry draw people to this ecozone

Settlement grouped near lakes and streams

Montane Cordillera: Settlement in this area has followed the forestry industry. People live in isolated cities within the mountain valleysConnected by roads and rivers that flow through the mountains.

Settlement

The Southern Arctic: One of the most sparsely populated areas of the world. Consists of mostly Inuit (80%) who have always lived in this ecozone.

The Prairie: The population of the prairie is mostly rural. This is a result of the farming industry. There are several service centers that have grown into cities that provide support for farmers.

Transportation

The Boreal Shield: The vast system of lakes and rivers provide a means of transportation in the Boreal Shield. Logging has created a landscape scarred with many woods roads.

Mixedwood Plains: The mixedwood plains rely on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence river as a means of providing transportation. Vast road networks have been set up to help reduce traffic around populated areas.

Montane Cordillera: The rough landscape of this area has createdmany issues for transportation. Roads must be carefully planned. The landscape restricts transportation.

Boreal Shield

Transportation :

Mixedwood Plain

The Great Lakes provide an

access point for national and international

trade

Ports provide the location where

farmers can ship their product to

international markets

Extensive road networks connect farmers to service

centers like London

Mixedwood Plain

One of the many highways that connect farmland to urban centers in Southern Ontario

Mixedwood Plain

Silos allow for storage of

product while waiting for shipment

Montane Cordillera

Transportation

The Southern Arctic: Traditionally the people in the southern arctic Have relied heavily on water for transportation. Goods are brought By boat or by air.

The Prairie: Roads and railways have been the most effective mode Of transportation for the prairie ecozone. The lack of waterways Limits the use of boats.

Southern Arctic

Recreation

Boreal Shield: People use the forest for hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, swimming, camping

Mixedwood Plain: This ecozone offers great opportunities for tourism; many people who live in the cities have cabins that they can escape to. Many of the same activities as in the boreal shield

Montane Cordillera: uses including hiking, cycling, horseback riding and some hunting and fishing. Most of the major lakes are tourist attractions, because of the many beaches and hot summers of this ecozone.

Recreation

Southern Arctic: There is some tourism in this region, people hunt and fish to pass the time.

The prairies: Hiking, biking, off-roading,

Boreal Shield

Communication