Natural Vegetation and Flora

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a map that shows the vegetation regions, and 19 smaller-scale maps showing distributions of particular plant species. The main map shows the distribution of 17 natural vegetation types and also shows non-vegetated areas (existing glaciers). The smaller maps show the distribution of plants found in particular parts of Canada. The first set, for circumpolar species, shows plants found in the far north of Canada and other circumpolar countries. These species owe their wide distribution to their extraordinary adaptability to and tolerance of climate, great variations in day length and tolerance of arctic soil-related factors. There are three regional sub-groups shown: high-arctic, alpine-arctic, and low-arctic. The maps of Amphi-Atlantic species refer to species found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Similarly, Amphi-Beringian refers to species found on both sides of the Bering Sea. The final set of maps, North American species, refers to species which are found only in North America. Being only found here (being endemic to North America), it is assumed such species evolved on this continent, as well. Most of the flora species of Canada are in this group.