Mixedwood Plains

Mixedwood Plains, Ontario's southernmost ecozone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General description

Ontario's southernmost ecozone, occupying less than 10% of the province, is located on the limestone south of the Precambrian Shield. The Ontario portion of this ecozone is bounded in the south and west by Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

 

The topography ranges from extremely flat areas in the southwest and southeast to rugged terrain of the Niagara Escarpment.

Vegetation is diverse, characterized by mixed deciduous-evergreen forests and tolerant hardwood forests, including those forests known as Carolinian forests. Alvars and tallgrass prairies also occur.

Wetlands are numerous in certain areas, although many wetlands have been drained. Carolinian Canada (the most southerly portion of this ecozone) boasts the highest concentration of species in Canada. The number of species at risk is also high. The Mixedwood Plains ecozone has the highest human population density in Canada and many of its natural ecosystems have been converted for agriculture and development. Recreation and tourism are also major activities. 

Exotic species are increasingly present in the ecozone and are displacing native species and altering natural ecosystems’ structure and function.

 

 

Examples of Species found in this Zone:

 

Mammals:	White-tailed Deer, Southern Flying Squirrel, Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Beaver, Gray Squirrel
Plants:	Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid, White Trillium, Bitternut Hickory
Insects:	Monarch Butterfly
Birds:	Barred Owl, Wild Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Killdeer, Red-tailed Hawk
Fish:	Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch
Reptiles:	Snapping Turtle, Five-lined Skink, Bullfrog
Molluscs:	Northern Riffleshell

 

 

 

 

Graphic
Ministry of Natural Resources