Water percolating through the soil and bedrock causes saturation of the plains surface. This has created karst landforms in areas of gypsum bedrock. Other phenomena include salt flats, underground streams, sinkholes and saline streams. The boreal plains are a mosaic of muskeg, meandering streams, shallow lakes and bogs, and boreal forest. The forest is comprised of white and black spruce, jackpine, balsam fir, aspen and poplar.
Fire is a natural force in the boreal plains.
The animals that inhabit this ecosystem are typical of the northern boreal forest. Rare or endangered species such as bison, whooping cranes and peregrine falcons are also found. For more information on park wildlife, please read the section on wildlife viewing . Information last updated January 16, 2001.