Natural Resources Canada
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Terrestrial Ecozones
Abstract
Canada has defined a hierarchical classification of ecosystems. At a simple level there are 20 ecozones, fifteen terrestrial and five marine. An ecozone is an area of the earth’s surface that represents a large ecological zone and has characteristic landforms and climate. Each ecozone is distinguished from others by its unique mosaic of plants, wildlife, climate, landforms, and human activities. Ecozones are useful for general national reporting and for placing Canada’s ecosystem diversity in a North American or global context.
Canada is comprised of 20 ecozones. Fifteen ecozones make up terrestrial Canada and five make up the marine waters bordering Canada. Ecozones are useful for general national reporting and for placing Canada’s ecosystem diversity in a North American or global context.
Canada’s 15 Terrestrial Ecozones
- Arctic Cordillera
- Northern Arctic
- Southern Arctic
- Taiga Plain
- Taiga Shield
- Taiga Cordillera
- Hudson Plains
- Boreal Plains
- Boreal Shield
- Boreal Cordillera
- Pacific Maritime
- Montaine Cordillera
- Prairies
- Atlantic Maritime
- Mixedwood Plains
