Climate
Landscape
Soil
Vegetation
Wildlife
Human Use

Climate: Total annual precipitation (mm) 452 Annual snowfall (cm) 143 Water deficit (mm) 297 Mean July temperature (C) +17.4 Mean January temperature (C) -20.0 The climate is subhumid and cool, encouraging the production of forage crops and encompassing the northern limit of arable agriculture. Landscape: The western part of this area is primarily rolling morainic plain, the eastern portion is largely a level to undulating plain of glaciofluvial origin. The region slopes and drains eastward. Numerous small lakes and wetlands occupy shallow depressions in the hillier areas. GPS: 54d 38.64m N, 107d 48.96m W, 1490 feet 06 July 96, 4:50 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/60s A bridge over the Waterhen River on route #155. GPS: 53d 41.26m N, 103d 20.54m W, 781 feet 12 July 96, 4:15 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/125s This is the hydro-electric power station on the north end of Tobin Lake. GPS: 53d 19.39m N, 104d 02.53m W, 1446 feet 13 July 96, 10:00 am, Fuji Velvia 50, F22 1/15s The Nipawin hydro-electric dam. Soil: Soils are predominantly well to imperfectly drained dark grey although other soil types are located in the area. For example, sandy deposits can be found in the Fort a la Corne and Nisbet provincial forests. Vegetation: Most of this ecoregion was likely once covered by grassland vegetation. Trembling aspen (shown left) and white spruce are dominant, while local conditions dictate the prevalence of secondary species such as balsam poplar, black spruce, tamarack and jack pine. Water filled depressions and poorly drained sites are usually covered with sedges and willow. Tamarack attains best growth in this ecoregion. Grasses are common. Common shrubs include honeysuckle, elderberry, green alder, mountain maple, willow, blueberry and bearberry. Common plants are bunchberry, twinflower, sarsaparilla, dewberry, horsetail and ostrich fern. Wildlife: The region includes habitat for elk (shown left), white-tailed deer, black bear, moose, ruffed grouse, beaver, coyote, rabbits and waterfowl. Human Use: Agriculture is the primary land use, followed by forestry. Hunting, fishing and other recreational uses also occur within this ecoregion. Production of spring wheat and other cereals, oilseeds and forage crops are characteristic of this region. Community pastures provide summer range for livestock. Forest productivity is variable depending on species and site.