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1. Low Arctic Tundra - Cape Chidley
This ecoregion is located on the northern tip of
Labrador. A flat coastal plain dominates the area near Ungava Bay, while the
southern portion contains low, steep-sided hills. It has the driest climate in
Labrador and a growing season of less than sixty days. The dominant vegetation
is tundra (alpine barren, dominated by rock and open ground with patches of
mosses and lichens). Coastal headlands and ledges often support moss
(Rhacomitrium) barren, while sporadic snowbed communities (sedge meadows) occur
in late melting zabois. There are no tall shrubs or trees, and no true peatlands
exist; however, marshes can occur along river valleys.
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2. Low Arctic-Alpine - Torngat
The Torngat mountains and intervening fjords dominate
this ecoregion. The upper walls of the fjords are nearly vertical rock faces,
while lower slopes are covered with scree. Valley floors usually consist of
outwash terraces. The climatic gradient is great, due to the wide elevation
range. The climate is similar to the Low Arctic Tundra - Cape Chidley ecoregion,
but with a longer growing season (60 to 80 days). The dominant vegetation is
alpine heath, with sedge meadows (snowbed communities), fed by seepage from late
melting snow patches. Trees are absent from this region also.
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3. High Subarctic Tundra - Kingurutik/Fraser
The George River Plateau makes up the main (northern)
portion of this ecoregion. Various mountainous outliers, including the
Benedict Mountains, Wine River Mountains, Mealy Mountains, and the McPhadyen
Plateau also belong to this region. Summers are short and cool, with a
growing season of 80 to 120 days; winters are long, severe, and very
cold. The upland vegetation is similar to the Low Arctic Tundra - Torngat
ecoregion; however, the valleys support tree growth. Closed black spruce forests
(with some larch) occur on lower valley slopes. River terraces support open spruce
forests with a lichen dominated understory. Shallow fens with frozen peat occupy
small depressions in plateau surfaces.
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4. Coastal Barrens - Okak/Battle Harbour
This ecoregion extends from Napaktok Bay south to the
Strait of Belle Isle. Much of the coast is characterized by long, sheltered
inlets. The summers are cool to warm and the growing season is 100 to 120 days.
The winters are cold. Empetrum barren is the dominate vegetation type, with
forest occurring in sheltered valleys. Most mid and lower slopes support a
continuous spruce forest with a moss understory. Repeated fires have changed
many forested areas to dwarf shrub barrens. Plateau bogs with frozen peat
(palsas) and salt marshes on marine terraces are characteristic of the valleys
in this ecoregion.
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5. Mid Subarctic Forest - Michikamau
This ecoregion encompasses the upland plateaus of
central and western Labrador. Eskers and drumlin ridges are characteristic.
This region has a very continental, subarctic climate with cool, short summers
and long, severe, cold winters. The growing season is 100 to 120 days. Black
spruce is the dominant trees species, except in the most northern areas,
where white spruce dominates. Trembling aspen reaches its northern limit here
and the only native population of jack pine occurs in this ecoregion. Open
lichen woodlands are characteristic of this ecoregion. Extensive ribbed fen-string
bog complexes, bordered by black spruce-sphagnum forest stands, dominate areas
with little relief.
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6. High Boreal Forest - Lake Melville
This ecoregion encompasses the Churchill River Valley
and the coastal plain surrounding Lake Melville. River terraces are composed of
coarse-textured, alluvial soils, and uplands have shallow, well-drained soils.
This region has the most favourable climate in Labrador. Summers are cool and
winters cold. The growing season is 120 to 140 days. The forests are
closed-canopied and highly productive. Richer slopes are dominated by balsam
fir, white birch, and trembling aspen. Black spruce is present in most stands,
but only dominates in upland areas and lichen woodlands, which occupy river
terraces. Ribbed fens occur in upland depressions; plateau bogs occur on coastal
plains.
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7. Mid Boreal Forest - Paradise River
This undulating, bedrock controlled landscape of
southeastern Labrador has many rock outcrops and supports fairly productive,
closed-crown forests. The climate is considered boreal and is moister and cooler
than the Lake Melville area. Summers are cool to warm and winters are short and
cold. The growing season is 120 to 140 days. Black spruce and balsam fir are the
most common tree species, but hardwoods are commonly encountered. Raised bogs
are characteristic of valleys in the area.
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8. Low Subarctic Forest - Mecatina River
The main portion of this ecoregion is located in
southern Labrador, with two separate areas to the north of Lake Melville and the
Red Wine Mountains. Broad river valleys and rolling hills covered by shallow
till, drumlins, and eskers are characteristic of the region. Summers are cool
and winters are long. The growing season is 120 to 140 days. Somewhat open black
spruce forests are the dominant vegetation, with crown densities greater than
75% on better sites. String bog-ribbed fen complexes cover extensive areas
throughout the region.
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9. String Bog - Eagle River Plateau
The Eagle River Plateau comprises most of this
ecoregion. This upland plateau is composed of extensive string bogs with
numerous open pools surrounded by fen vegetation. Bog hummocks are dominated by
scrub spruce, Labrador tea, and feathermoss. The peatland expanses are
occasionally interrupted by only a few conspicuous eskers, which support open,
lichen woodland. Alder thickets are common along river banks.
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10. Forteau Barrens
This ecoregion is located at the southeasternmost tip
of Labrador, adjacent to the Strait of Belle Isle. Low hills are covered with
scrub spruce, crowberry barren, and slope bogs. Strong winds and frequent storms
occur because of the ecoregion's proximity to the Strait of Belle Isle. The
growing season is 100 to 120 days. Tree growth is limited by a combination of
wind, wet soils, and a history of repeated burns. Black spruce and larch can
reach 10 to 12m only along rivers, where soils are better drained.
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