Canada Ecoregions

This dataset represents ecological regions within Canada. Ecoregions are a subdivision of an ecozone characterized by major assemblages of structural or surface forms, faunal realms, and vegetation, hydrology, soil, and macro climate. The delineation of ecoprovinces ( Marshall, I. B., E. Wiken, and H. Hirvonen, 1998) was not a goal of the Ecological Stratification Working Group (1996). The need arose from the environmental side accord that established the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in 1994 by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America under the North American Free Trade Agreement. The CEC needed an ecological framework to address environmental concerns common to the three countries. The Canadian contribution to the development of an framework depicting the ecosystems for the North American continent was based on the work of the Ecological Stratification Working Group (1996). Some members of this Canadian working group were also members of the CEC North American Ecosystem Working Group. The CEC's report, "Ecological Regions of North America: Towards a Common Perspective", was released in 1997 ( Commission for Environmental Cooperation). The North American report reflects the ecosystem concepts and methods that have long been employed in Canada's country-wide efforts to promote ecosystem classification. The number of ecoprovinces depicted in Canada reflects the demand in Canada for a sub-division of ecozones for broad conservation and resource purposes and the need to correlate the delineation of ecoregions across the Canada - United States boundary. Consequently, cross boundary correlation with the United States resulted in a number of ecoprovinces being composed of only one ecoregion ( Numbers 8.2, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1 and 12.4).