The climate of the Plains is derived mainly from Environment Canada's report, Ecoclimatic Regions of Canada. Natural Regions of the Northern Great Plain Vegetation on the Plains is influenced strongly by climate-mainly by the effectiveness of the precipitation. More sunny, warmer and more windy conditions in the Grasslands result in a high plant requirement for water, or high potential evapotranspiration. Moisture is used more effectively in the cooler Parklands and forest areas. The vegetation of the prairie and parkland varies with moisture and kind of soil.
Mixed prairie occurs in drier regions, taller grasses such as prairie cord grass and big bluestem.
In moist eastern regions, and fescue interspersed with aspen groves in the parkland. The Plains had a rich and diverse fauna. Animal species varied with the nature of the habitat. Ecological balance was maintained by natural processes in which populations of herbivores were the food source for several species of carnivores. Page last modified Friday, January 29, 1999.