Landform Regions: Lowlands, Highlands & Canadian Shield

• There are three major landform regions: lowlands, highlands, and the Canadian Shield, each with distinct characteristics.

Lowland Regions

• These are flat lands, good for agriculture because of a dry climate suitable for crop growth.

Highland Regions

• These are areas with higher elevations, such as mountains and valleys, marked by harsh climates.

Canadian Shield

• It features rugged, rocky terrain rich in minerals, making it suitable for mining.

Processes Shaping Landform Regions

• Plate tectonic movement and glaciation are the primary processes that shaped these regions.
• Glaciation refers to the movement of glaciers.
• Glacial movement results in erosion and abrasion.

Glacial Effects - Erosion

• Glaciers erode the land by picking up debris and rocks.
• This process is also known as plucking.

Glacial Effects - Abrasion

• Abrasion occurs when glaciers become denser and larger due to the debris they contain.
• This slows their movement and increases the rate at which they recede.

Minor Landform Regions in Canada

• Canadian Shield
• Western Cordillera
• Appalachian Region
• Arctic Lands
• Interior Plains
• Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands
• Hudson Bay Lowlands

Importance of Soil

• Soil quality affects the vegetation in an area.
• It supports vegetation growth and helps to soak up and filter rainwater.
• Soil can also support infrastructure, create antibiotics, and moderate Earth's temperature.

Tundra Climate

• This region has a harsh, cold climate and a thin soil layer with permafrost underneath.
• This limits vegetation growth significantly.

Dry Climate Soil Regions

• These regions receive low precipitation.
• The moisture present in the soil is sufficient for grass and bush growth, but not for trees.

Wet Climate Soil Regions

• These regions receive too much precipitation, leading to excessive water drainage in the soil.
• Essential nutrients are carried away, reducing soil fertility and weakening plant roots.
• This can even cause plant death.
• Soil degradation is a major concern.

Factors Impacting Soil Quality and Formation

• Vegetation in Canada varies widely by region.

Tundra Vegetation

• The tundra is a cold region with thin soil and permafrost.
• This makes it challenging to grow plants and crops.

Boreal and Taiga Vegetation

• The boreal and taiga forests are the largest vegetation regions in Canada.
• They primarily consist of coniferous trees, but more deciduous trees appear further south.

Grasslands Vegetation

• Grasslands have a dry climate.
• Conditions are too dry for large vegetation like trees, but suitable for crops, grasses, and bushes.
• This makes grasslands good for agriculture.

Mixed Forest Vegetation

• Mixed forests are a blend of boreal and deciduous forests.
• More coniferous trees are found further north, with more deciduous trees further south.

Deciduous Forest Vegetation

• This is a small region of Canada.
• It has mostly been cleared for urbanization because most people live here.
• The soil is fertile.

West Coast Forest Vegetation

• This area is home to large coniferous trees.
• It features a moderate temperature and ample rainfall.
• It is a temperate rainforest, dependent on consistent temperature and precipitation.
• Climate change can disrupt this balance.

Mixed Mountain Vegetation

• This region features a variety of vegetation types.
• Variance depends on the elevation and relief of the land.

Factors Impacting Natural Vegetation

• Temperature
• Precipitation
• Soil

Deciduous Trees

• These trees shed their leaves seasonally.
• They feature a broad variety of leaf shapes.

Coniferous Trees

• These are needle-leaved trees, like Christmas trees.
• High soil fertility is associated with these trees.

Plate Tectonics

• The theory of plate tectonics explains many geological processes.

Divergent Plate Boundaries

• Plates pull apart from each other.
• Canyons or cliffs are formed between the faults.

Convergent Plate Boundaries

• The denser plate moves on top of the lighter plate.
• Land-to-land convergence forms mountains, valleys, and hills.
• Ocean-to-land convergence forms volcanoes.

Transform Plate Boundaries

• Plates slide against each other.
• They cause earthquakes, which lead to significant land damage.

Natural Hazards - Earthquakes

• Earthquakes are violent shaking movements between two plates that can destroy land.

Natural Hazards - Tsunamis

• Tsunamis are huge tidal waves.
• They are caused by earthquakes or landslides.
• They can cause massive destruction.

Natural Hazards -Glaciation

• This refers to the movement of glaciers.

Glacier Retreat

• Occurs when there is less snow than sunlight, causing the glacier to melt.

Glacier Advance

• This happens when there is more snow than sunlight.
• The glacier moves downward.

Factors Affecting Climate

• Latitude: Geographical coordinates affect temperature due to variations in sunlight angle.
• Ocean Currents: Water currents warm or cool the air, affecting nearby land. Warm currents travel from the equator to the poles, while cold currents travel from the poles to the tropics.
• Wind and Air Masses: Large air masses affect climate conditions. Maritime climates, formed over oceans, are more humid due to precipitation. Continental climates, formed over land, have hotter summers and colder winters.
• Elevation: Higher elevations have colder temperatures and lower atmospheric pressure.
• Relief: Land shape affects precipitation. Windward slopes are wettest, receiving the most precipitation. Leeward slopes are driest.
• Water Proximity: Closeness to water moderates land temperature, acting as a natural air conditioner or heater.

Climate vs. Weather

• Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions.
• Climate: Long-term average weather conditions.

How to Read a Climate Graph

• X-axis indicates months.
• Y-axis indicates temperature.

Arctic Climate

• Covered by snow and ice, with long, harsh winters and short, warm summers.
• Winter temperatures can drop to -65°C for 10 months.
• Summer temperatures can reach 12°C.

Taiga Climate

• Milder winters but cooler and shorter summers than the Arctic.
• Winter temperatures can reach -54°C for 6 or more months.
• Summer temperatures average around 7°C.

Cordilleran Climate

• Features varied climate regions due to mountain elevations.
• Includes cold, wet winters and mild, drier summers in the south.

Pacific Maritime Climate

• Also known as the West Coast climate.
• Moderate climate and temperature.
• Abundant vegetation due to a maritime climate.

Boreal Climate

• Continental climate with dry, hot summers and cold winters.
• Some precipitation in the summer, less in the winter.
• Temperature shifts significantly.

Prairie Climate

• Continental climate with dry, hot summers and cold winters.
• Some rain in spring and summer, very low in winter.
• Similar to boreal but shifts southward.

Southeast Climate

• Moderate cold winters and hot summers.
• Many major urban areas.

Atlantic Maritime Climate

• Temperature is moderated.
• Not cold in winter and cool in summer.
• High precipitation with frequent storms.

Continental Climates

• Found in areas far from oceans/large water bodies.
• Temperature range varies greatly, more than 25°C.
• Hhotter temperatures and inconsistent precipitation.

Maritime Climates

• Found in areas near large water bodies/oceans.
• Temperature range varies less, usually under 25°C.
• Consistently cool temperatures and precipitation.

Impact of Climate on Life in Canada

Hydrological Cycle

• Evaporation: Water heats up and vapor rises from oceans or water bodies.
• Transpiration: Plants absorb water and release it as vapor through their leaves.
• Condensation: Vapor cools and forms clouds.
• Precipitation: Clouds release water as rain, snow, or hail.
• Infiltration: Water enters the surface soil and moves underground, supporting vegetation.
• Percolation: Soil water moves deeper to reach groundwater, returning to the ocean.

Coastal/Shoreline Erosion

• Two Types:
  • Wave Action: Waves crash against the shore and remove rocks and sediments.
  • Tidal Action: Rising and falling tides expose different parts, leading to erosion.

Flood Erosion

• Three Types:
  • Bank Erosion: River banks wear away and weaken.
  • Sediment Transport: Carries sediment downstream to new locations.
  • Landscape Alteration: Carries soil/sand and creates new formations and channels.

River Erosion - Upper Course

• The beginning section of the river.
• Waterfall formation erodes rock.

River Erosion - Middle Course

• Meanders are zig-zag patterns caused as water flows faster and erodes the outer soil
• Sediment forms point bars (eroded river banks).

River Erosion - Lower Course

• The entry point of the river into large water bodies.
• Sedimental deposition slows as it flows towards the larger water bodies.

River Erosion - Delta

• Gates of the entry point of the mouth.
• Deposits build up, forming landforms that create smaller river channels.

Natural Hazards in Canada

• Major Events:
  • Floods
  • Snow and ice storms
  • Landslides
  • Avalanches
  • Tornadoes
  • Hurricanes
  • Drought
  • Forest fires

Canada's Natural Hazard Preparation

• Evacuation of people.
• Regular information/updates about weather and seismic activity.
• Drills and practice for survival.
• Special infrastructure such as drainage and safe rooms.

Social Impacts of Natural Hazards

• Loss of life.
• Injuries.
• Loss of homes.
• This can lead to mental health issues and depression.

Economic Impacts of Natural Hazards

• Damage to infrastructure.
• Business disruptions decrease overall productivity.
• Agriculture disruptions cause food scarcity.
• Reduced economic activity can lead to job loss and reduced tax revenue.

Political Impacts of Natural Hazards

• Political instability can introduce new policies.
• Political parties aim to improve their public image to win elections.