Ecology Lesson 7: Major Terrestrial Ecosystems page 1 of 2 

 

A) Introduction 

✓ ________________ is the most important factor in determining the location and make up of an 

ecosystem 

✓ A biome is a large geographical region defined by climate (__________________ and 

___________________) with a specific set of biotic and abiotic features 

 

B) Canada’s Biomes 

1) Tundra 

✓ Most __________________ biome 

✓ Cold ____________, ____________ growing season, cold 

temperature 

✓ __________________ 

✓ Permanently __________________ ground 

✓ Surface soil thaws, forms active growing layer for 

____________ 

✓ Low soil temperature, means slow __________________ and 

__________________ cycling 

✓ Species 

✓ Barren ground __________________ 

✓ Travel in large herds, feed on low growing ____________ 

and ___________ 

✓ Migrate long distances to obtain enough food for body 

____________ 

 

By Paul Gierszewski - Own work, CC 

BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/i

ndex.php?curid=30927252  

 

2) Boreal Forest 

✓ __________________ Canadian biome 

✓ __________________ and ____________ summer support tree 

growth 

✓ __________________ soil from decomposing conifer needles 

✓ Slows __________________ and limits the variety of 

_____________ 

✓ Dominant tree is __________________ 

✓ Needle leaves reduce ____________ loss, which helps the tree 

survive the long winter 

✓ Shape, size and _____________ branches support load of snow 

✓ Floor has ____________ tolerant __________________ and 

____________ 

By Judicieux - Own work, CC 

BY-SA 4.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/i

ndex.php?curid=71314574  

 

3) Temperate Deciduous Forest 

✓ Deciduous trees, including ____________, ______ and ______ 

✓ ____________r growing season 

✓ Temperatures don’t get as low as coniferous, faster 

__________________ rates 

✓ Forest layers: ____________, __________________, 

____________, _____-_____________ __________________ 

✓ Plant variety supports ____________ variety 

✓ Each species is adapted to a portion of the forest 

✓ Much forest has been replaced by __________________, 

____________ and ____________ 

By Rick Harris from Toronto, 

Ontario, Canada - Something This 

Way Comes, CC BY-SA 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/i

ndex.php?curid=54227900  

Ecology Lesson 7: Major Terrestrial Ecosystems page 2 of 2 

 

 

B) Canada’s Biomes Continued 

4) Grassland 

✓ ____________ 

✓ Moderate __________________ supports grasses but not most 

____________ species 

✓ Hot, dry ____________, often causes fire 

✓ Suppress ____________ growth and maintain grassland 

✓ Very fertile black ____________ 

✓ High summer temperature promotes __________________, 

releases nutrients back into soil 

✓ Natural plant life includes ____________, __________________ 

and ____________ 

✓ Most grassland replaced by ____________ of crops like wheat and 

canola 

✓ Animal species include ____________ 

By Kjfmartin - Own work, CC 

BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/i

ndex.php?curid=11278035  

 

5) Mountain Forest 

✓ Temperatures vary with __________________ 

✓ ____________ summers 

✓ ____________  

✓ Heavy __________________ 

✓ Fast flowing ____________ 

✓ Animals include __________________, __________________, 

______, ____________, ____________ and ____________ bears 

✓ Plants include large __________________ trees and 

____________ 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikip

edia/commons/b/b8/Wells_Gray_P

rovincial_Park%2C_British_Columb

ia.jpg