THE VEGETATION OF NORTHERN MANITOBA: IV. THE CARIBOU LAKE REGION

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Botany
• Main Author: Ritchie, J. C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1960
• Subjects: Plant Science; Tundra; Cottongrass
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b60-017; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b60-017

Based on the findings of one season of field work, an account is given of the vegetation and flora (vascular plants) of the immediate vicinity of Caribou Lake in northeast Manitoba. The plant communities are grouped according to physiographic position. Their chorology is presented in the form of a map which was compiled from interpretation of vertical aerial photographs of the area. The appearance of the various vegetation types on the aerial photographs is described.The prevalent vegetation of mesic sites is a tundra community dominated by ericoid shrubs. There is strong evidence that much of this treeless vegetation occupies sites where trees once grew; they have been removed by fires. Recent alluvium bears stands of Picea glauca (white spruce) which shows good growth. Shallow wet peats are covered by black spruce stands with shrubs and mosses, chiefly Sphagnum. Deeper peats, usually with shallow active layers, bear heath or sedge–cottongrass tundra.