Landforms and Geology

The Taiga Shield is part of the Canadian Shield. The Ecoregion reaches maximum elevations of over 500 m in the northwest, goes down to elevations of less than 200 m in the Thelon Valley. On the region north of Great Slave Lake, it has the oldest rock on the planet. The land is flat and filled with rolling hills. Most the flat lands are usually waterlogged. Wetlands cover about less than five percent of the Ecoregion, but the numerous lakes occupy about a quarter of the total area.

  

1. Sedimentary rock
2. Whaleback
3. Glacial erratic
4. Frost cracking
5. Volcanic rock
6. Quartz vein displaced by minor fault
7. Glacial groove
8. Glacial striations
9. Chattermarks
10. Granitic rock
11. Volcanic pillows
12. Granodiorite dyke

The Taiga Shield

The Great Taiga Shield

The Taiga Shield is a part of the Northwest Territories Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Taiga Shield is nicknamed the "Land of Dwarf Trees,"because most trees are stunted and do not reach full growing capacity

Location and Climate

  Did you know that the Taiga Shield is broken by the Hudson Bay and continues to the Atlantic Ocean? It is south of the Southern Arctic. The ecozone stretches eastward from the Taiga Plains. It has short summers and long winters, nights that last up to twenty hours. The annual temperature is below freezing. The temperature during summers, only go up as high as 18 degree Celsius, and the annual precipitation of western Taiga Shield is 200 mm and eastern Taiga Shield has an annual precipitation of 1000 mm. Overall the Taiga Shield has a very low precipitation. This ecozone has a subarctic continental climate and the precipitation is very low.



                                                                                                                     

Vegetation and Wildlife

Common forests in the Taiga Shield

The northern areas in this eco-zone contain little lichen woodlands.Central areas in the Taiga Shield have stunted coniferous and deciduous trees. These trees are vary from Black Spruce, Alders, Willows, Tamarack, White Spruce.

TAIGA SHIELD ANIMALS 

 

The Taiga Shield is home to a large variety of animals who have been able to adapt to the cold weather experienced in the ecozone. It has about 50 mammal species. The most common animal, one would be able to see is the caribou. The ecozone however, has no reptiles and only has three amphibians species; the mink frog, wood frog, and the blue-spotted salamander It is a wonderful eco-zone to see the variety of birds who stop during spring migrations, in the eco-zone. During the spring migration period, many ducks, geese,loose,swans and bald eagles. There are huge variety of birds in this ecozone because it has a combination of both the Arctic and Boreal eco-zones.  Birds from both the Arctic, Boreal, Hudson Bay and Atlantic Ocean can be seen here, and it definitely a sight to see.

Animals in this region:

Mammals

1. Barren-ground Caribou
2. Mice
3. Voles
4. Shrews
5. Weasels
6. Canids and other carnivores
7. Grizzly and Black Bear
8. Arctic Fox
9. Caribou 
10. Moose
11. Wolf
12. Snowshoe hare
13. Lynx

Birds

1. Arctic Tern
2. Common Tern
3. White-throated Sparrow
4. Arctic and Red-throated loons
5. Northern Phalarope
6. Tree sparrow  
7. Grey cheeked trush
8. Bald Eagles

 Marine Animals/Fish



1. Lake Trout
2. Lake Whitefish
3. Arctic Grayling
4. Burbot 
5. Northern Pike
6. Walrus
7. Seals

Melville National Park

Welcome to grand opening of the MELVILLE National Park. A beautiful place to see the variety of birds who stop here during their migrations. It is the only national park within the Taiga Shield ecozone. Located in the beautiful city of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, next to Lake Melville.

Melville Lake

WHAT YOU CAN SEE...
Have an amazing time spending time within the only national park in the Taiga Shield ecozone. See a variety of birds, such as bald eagles, geese, loons, and swans and take time to wander around the beautiful Lake Melville. You can also take this opportunity to explore some of the oldest rocks on earth from the Precambrian era, and see the mesmerising wildlife species that inhabit the ecozone.

GETTING DRESSED...
The annual temperature is -2 degree Celsius. During the summer the temperature is usually around 8.5 degree Celsius. So wearing a sweater and possible trousers would be most recommended when visiting the Melville National Park. During the winters, there is a mean average to -13 degree Celsius. So wearing multiple clothing is greatly encouraged. This national park includes some of the best timberland in Labrador. The timberland is a great habitat for the caribou, moose, small mammals, birds, and waterfowl species.

ENJOYMENT
The Melville National Park is a great place to spend time with friend and family. It's a great way to show your children the beauty and wonder the Taiga Shield has to offer, with its beautiful landscaped and variety of wildlife. It is also a place to escape from the city. Happy Valley Goose Bay only has a population of about 10 500 people, so at your stay at Melville National Park, you'll be relieved form the noisy city. Take time to go canoeing and hiking near the charming Melville Lake.

ALREADY ESTABLISHED AMUSEMENTS



Also during your stay at the Melville National Park you can gladly take a tour upon the ferry that will show you around not only Happy Vally Goose Bay but also the community of  Cartwright. The ferry ride is about a 12 hours trip. During this time you can definitely see the numerous amounts of birds that fly by (bird watching). You are most likely capable of seeing the Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Northern Gannet, Red-necked Phalarope, Great Black-Backed Gull, Black-Legged Kittiwake, Jaegers, Arctic Tern, and Common Murre.



Also there are float plane docks for you to reach destinations, so don't miss out on a great opportunity to see this beautiful park from a birds eye view.    *Payment is $32 dollars per person

For younger children there is a community park within the National Park named Goosing Park. After hiking, you can always stop by here and have lunch, and let your children enjoy time at the park.

Located just west from Goosing Park, during your visits in the winter,  why not try alpine and cros country skiing. It is a great way to embrace the cold weather. *Prices are separate from the national park.

COMMUNITY AROUND MELVILLE NATIONAL PARK.

Tickets start off at a price of $55 dollars per person for entrance fees. This covers parking and all experiences. from canoeing to hiking, and the ferry ride. Act now and get a 25% discount when visiting the site. Remember only one coupon per visit and for a limited time only!

Discount Coupon, valid only until May 29th, 2012

Fun Page

WILDLIFE IN THE TAIGA SHIELD

WORD SEARCH

W	R	I	S	I	H	I	K	F	G
A	O	B	B	E	A	V	E	R	R
Y	R	L	A	K	E	E	T	E	I
H	S	I	F	M	I	B	S	D	Z
E	L	I	X	N	R	A	M	S	Z
G	E	S	H	N	S	I	S	Q	L
E	A	N	A	Z	Y	C	X	U	Y
E	T	A	H	U	J	L	N	I	B
S	Y	G	N	F	D	K	L	R	E
E	R	B	M	I	T	H	U	R	A
Y	F	A	S	D	A	V	E	E	R
N	R	C	N	W	H	U	F	L	C
M	O	S	O	O	A	K	G	Y	R
E	G	Q	W	B	K	N	L	O	H
Q	G	Y	S	V	N	D	S	A	I
W	I	Y	H	F	H	U	G	U	I
G	I	L	O	V	E	U	H	J	X
J	H	F	D	K	E	A	G	L	E
G	E	W	G	D	S	A	W	V	X
V	F	O	C	V	B	N	M	K	I
P	S	F	E	F	R	H	H	J	K
L	T	J	L	R	A	V	E	N	D
U	Y	T	E	B	J	G	R	X	U
M	O	O	S	E	R	E	Q	E	C
K	P	I	A	M	F	O	X	M	K

1) WOLF
2) GRIZZLY BEAR
3) MOOSE
4) LYNX
5) FOX
6) SNOWSHOE
7) BEAVER
8) SWAN
9) EAGLE
10) GEESE
11) DUCK
12) RAVEN
13) FROG
14) BUTTERFLY