Tills and soils are generally shallow, but locally thicker clay, sand, and gravel deposits occur. The regional climate is cool, with an average of 189 frost-free days per year. The landscape is predominantly forested and non-agricultural owing to the rough topography, thin soils, and cool climate. Several rural municipalities exist in the region, but seasonal recreation is the dominant human activity. The shores of most lakes are dotted with cottages, and most are serviced with septic sewage systems.
Agricultural activity is almost nonexistent.
Few, if any, eutrophic lakes exist in this region. L -1 were not included. Otherwise, the lake set included broad gradients of physical and water chemistry characteristics typical of this region. 1 Achnanthes bioreti Germ. 26 Aulacoseira cf.