Samantha's+Biome+Ecosystem+Project

= **What is a Biome? ** = A biome is a biotic community that defines itself from many things. For example; we characterize the animals that live in the biome, the temperature of the biome and the agriculture within the biome. There are 5 main biomes in Canada, the tundra, the temperate coniferous forest, the boreal forest, the grasslands and the deciduous forest. Our world is surrounded by biomes and ecosystems, from the great waters to the grand forests that conquer the earth’s floor. Today I will be talking about the boreal forest biome and the ecosystem of the South Saskatchewan River, their general information, threats and effects, solutions to those problems and how we can help!

= Introduction to the Boreal Forest  = Boreal forests make up 35% of Canadian land and 77% of all forests. In the boreal forest we find a variety of plants, animals, and ecosystems. For example, the black bear, moose, coyote, timber wolf, the recovering species of wood bison as well as poison ivy, salmonberry, vine maple, russian olive and the red huckleberry. Also, there are many different types of trees in the boreal forest such as needle-leaf evergreen tree, black and white spruce, jack and lodgepole pine, balsam fir, small leaf deciduous trees, birch and more. The temperature in the boreal forest varies from -54 degrees celsius to 21 degrees celsius. On an average, around 700-800 of precipitation falls a year in the boreal forest. Some major threats to the biome are air pollution from power plants and smelters, forest fires, water pollution and disruption of habitats, impact of new mineral and oil/gas extraction and new threats to endangered species caused by humans. The most damaging threat out of these is forest fires. Eighty-five percent of Canada's forest fires are caused by lightning which is why it's so important that there are no extreme weather changes or else there are serious consequences. Although, from experiences the trees have learned to adapt to these situations. For example, black spruce and lodgepole pine can hold live seeds within their pine cones but they're released when fire kills the trees. Although a new life begins using the nutrients produced by the fire from the remains on the forest floors like fireweed. Even though forest fires cause a lot of damage to the Canadian boreal forest, it helps renew life for some plants such as aspen which grows from the root of old trees even if the roots from the old trees are charred. Wind is an important contributing factor to forest fires because it dries out the moist from the trees which make them more flammable. The difference is forest fires during the day and during the night is the wind because the wind is much stronger during the day which is why daytime forest fires are worse. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre was established in Winnipeg in 1982 to help understand forest fires, keep statistics, and daily information. This company helps the development of systems to monitor danger and management. They have also installed aerial patrols for water bombing incase of a fire and also to detect lightning caused fires. On the ground, this company has provided portable water pumps, tank trucks, and bulldozers. The CIFF has lightning detection, remote sensing equipment, topographical forest-land maps, aerial patrol layouts, and historical fire-data analyses for strategies to control the fires. We can also help by: • establishing fire lookouts when camping • following safe debris burning rules and acknowledging the flammable sign on products • following firework safety • practicing proper ash disposal • creating a safe, monitored campfire 

= About the South Saskatchewan River  =

The South Saskatchewan River is located in southern Alberta that’s formed by the conjunction of the Bow and Oldman rivers. The length of the river is 1392 km long and together combined with the North Saskatchewan River makes a total of 1939 km. The river flows past Medicine Hat, to the north east in Saskatchewan, past Saskatoon and continues to the confluence of 130 km downstream. It then continues further 600 km eastward through Tobin Lake and Cumberland Lake located in Saskatchewan, then into Manitoba where it trends southeast past The Pas and into Cedar Lake. The water from Saskatchewan go into Lake Winnipeg at Grand Rapids which are carrie to Hudson Bay by the Nelson River. The South Saskatchewan River has been dammed about 100 km south of Saskatoon creating a big reservoir called Lake Difenbaker. This provides hydroelectric power and irrigation for southwestern Saskatchewan. The temperature of the river increases southwards with an annual temperature varying from 2 degrees Celsius to 6 degrees Celsius. The elevation of the South Saskatchewan River ranges from 333 mm to 3000 m in the Rocky Mountains. The precipitation that falls into the South Saskatchewan River increases more to the west but also to the north with a range from 282 mm to 800 mm in the Rocky Mountains. The South Saskatchewan River includes three ecozones around its trail, the Prairies (80%), the Boreal Plains and the Montane Cordillera which together make up 20%. The river flow is highest in the spring and summer and normally fairly low during the winter and fall because of the temperatures. A river is very important to an ecosystem because when the water from other lakes or oceans run off into the river from the soil surface, it carries and adds nutrients such as organic compounds of plants and animals origin and natural bacteria. This helps this river be sustainable for the other organisms that depend on it. The South Saskatchewan River also has its own watershed from the Saskatchewan-Nelson River watershed that drains an area more than a million square kilometres. The wildlife in the South Saskatchewan River is very high as there is eleven different species of reptiles and amphibians, thirty two species of fish within the river and fifty-two species of mammals like antelopes, moose and cougars that live within the South Saskatchewan River watershed. And the flora in the South Saskatchewan River shed includes plants such as mosses, shrubs and other petit plants and most of the earth floor is covered with grand trees.

= = = Threats to the South Saskatchewan River  =

Although the South Saskatchewan River is sustainable throughout the year, it faces many challenges and threats. In 2003 the South Saskatchewan River was named Canada's most threatened river. Some factors are, floods, climate change, quality of the river, urban sprawl, the growing water demands and the growing demands for the low-carbon energy. As you can see from the chart to the left, since 1900, the water demands from the province of Alberta has drastically increased for various reasons such as for industrial uses, agricultural uses and more. Unfortunately, the South Saskatchewan River is one of the most used water resources in Alberta therefore, the quantity of water in the river is decreasing and also the quality caused from pollution. And not only is the South Saskatchewan River threatened but, also the animals around it. Many species have lost their habitats or lives from poison, pesticides, highway and road development near by the South Saskatchewan River. These factors are somewhat linked together. For example: because of floods, pesticides from the soil and other chemicals run into the river which affects the safety of the water therefore the animals won't be able to drink out of it and become parched. Not only that but their habitats will be affected as well from the flood and lastly, certain plants won't be able to survive the pressure of the flood which will affect some animals' food resource. The photo on the left is a picture taken by a habitant in Alberta of the South Saskatchewan River during the flood on June 19 2010. We can observe from the photo that the colour of the water is slightly brown which indicates that the pollution from the flooding has now affected the quality of the water. The water quality of the river is extremely important because not only does the wildlife count on it as it takes part in their ecosystem, but the population living around the South Saskatchewan River depends on it too. The water quality index (WQI) determines the level of quality. There are five levels, excellent, good, fair, marginal and poor. The river has to be tested at least 3 times per year. On average, the quality from this year is good.

= = = Solutions for the South Saskatchewan River Threats  =

=
 The province of Saskatchewan promoted in 2003 a program to prevent the usable water from being wasted. This program is called the South Saskatchewan River Water Protection Program. But, also Saskatchewan and Alberta have created a river basin where they store all the useful water for the provinces as one third of the population depends on this river for resources such as drinking water, baths/ showers and more. The government o f Canada has become more involved with preserving water stewardship. In the South Saskatchewan River Water Protection Program report, it states to regain the quality of the river, the government of Canada must play a stronger leadership role in protecting the water by facilitation implementation of the Mackenzie River Transboudary Water Agreement to ensure increasingly intensive development. And secondly, to avoid irreparable damage there must be a long-term plan to assure the river functions for nature and people, particularly accenting climate change which scientists say it's an emerging water crisis. Also, more and more companies are spreading awareness about this natural resource and how it's at risk. For example, the World Wildlife Foundation has become more active in investigating Canada's rivers and how they're at risk. Also, the province of Alberta has created a water management plan for the South Saskatchewan River Basin which reflects a balance between the aquatic environment and the water required for economic development. Some principal recommendations in this plan are the Alberta Environment can no longer accept applications for allocations in the Bow, Oldman, and South Saskatchewan River, this plan enforces a limit to the allocations and more! You can look more into the highlights of this program at <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">Highlights of the Water Management Plan for the South Saskatchewan River Basin. As a team, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta have encouraged their populations to reduce the amount of water they use on a daily basis such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, recycling rain water, checking faucets and pipes for any signs of leaking, taking shorter showers, using low flush eco friendly toilets and more. But these provinces aren't the only ones with water wasting problems. Almost all the provinces and territories in Canada are trying to reduce the amount of water we use. For example, there are now websites where you can learn how to do your part in conserving water. Here are some links: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">Earth Easy; Solutions for Sustainable Living, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">Water, Use it Wisely , <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">Green House and more! =====

= Conclusion  =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In conclusion to this project, I've learned a lot about the importance of water and how even little things can have big effects. I enjoyed learning about different water protection programs because before this project, I had never really heard of a water protection program, just about ways to conserve water but not a company designated towards conserving water. In terms of predictions for the future of this resource, I predict that we'll never run out of water, but possibly just have extreme limitations on this resource not like now where we can run the tap until we're done brushing our teeth or buy endless amounts of water bottles. I think that there will be a law enforced on the quantity of water we use or how much water will be available to us which will really have an effect on our lives. For example, it will have an effect on managing our gardens, washing our dishes, taking showers or baths and more. It is very important to understand the importance of water. Water is a resource we can't afford to waste or loose! We need to share the amount with other countries to eliminate poverty such as women in Africa travelling miles and miles just to get a bucket full of dirty water. In terms of the predictions of this ecosystem, I think eventually this ecosystem will no longer be supportable to one third of the province's population because we will have wasted the majority of the water that comes from the river, but possibly be able to support local habitants. I hope you learned something out of this project and thank you!

= //__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Bibliography **__// = **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Photos: __** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">• //Canada's Boreal Forest Map// - <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">• //South Saskatchewan River Map// - <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">• //South Saskatchewan River Ecoregions Map// -<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[| http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.parc.ca/saskadapt/assets/images/map-saskatoon-location.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.parc.ca/saskadapt/adaptation-options/community-assessments/saskatoon&usg=__sPJcAuo3EnKQSsnVbN-EF9-Bs34=&h=765&w=560&sz=112&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=GEjxDt6X_QDL0M:&tbnh=136&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsouth%2Bsaskatchewan%2Briver%2Becoregions%2Bmap%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1167%26bih%3D684%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=348&ei=yvy5TILrFI-InQfL6ODADQ&oei=yvy5TILrFI-InQfL6ODADQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=32&ty=117] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">• //South Saskatchewan River Water Allocations chart// - <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">• //South Saskatchewan River Flood// - <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">• //South Saskatchewan River Water Protection Plan// - <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[]

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