The 'Carolinian forest' is a life zone in eastern
North America characterized primarily by a predominance of
deciduous, or broad-leaf trees.
It extends from the
Carolinas in the
United States and finds its northern limit in the southwestern section of
Ontario, in
Canada.
The region is of particular importance in Canada because it provides the country with its most unique and
richest abundance of
plant and
animal life.
Trees such as various species of
ash,
birch,
chestnut,
hickory,
oak, and
walnut are found here. Tallest of all is the
tulip tree.
Raccoons and
possums to the relatively rare
southern flying squirrel, as well as
nuthatches and
chickadees also favour Carolinian forests.
Of concern, is that while less than one percent of Canada's land mass is occupied by this natural habitat, the same area is also home to one-quarter of the country's population.
It is estimated that 80 per cent of Canada's Carolinian forest has already been
destroyed. The remaining portions, mostly scattered and disconnected, continue to be threatened by human development.
See Also
★
Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests
External links
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Carolinian Canada