When traveling throughout Ontario, you will encounter large known ecosystems such as the St. Lawrence Lowlands, the Canadian Shield and further north, the Boreal Forest. But what lies between these areas? An “ecotone” is an area of transition containing elements from the ecosystems it borders, but also having features that are entirely unique.
The Land Between is a complex ecotone, between the Canadian Shield and St. Lawrence Lowlands, and is characterized by low relief exposed granite to the north side and “stepping stones” of limestone plain along the south side. Small and connected lakes and wetlands between these dry open ridges and patches of cool shaded forest are the patterns of this unique natural system.
The physical character of The Land Between, as an ecotone, is shaped by fundamental transitions in: Geology; physiography; climate; and elevation.
Therefore The Land Between is located in a unique plant hardiness zone; has its own growing degree days; has its own amount of frost free days, has the highest mineral diversity in Ontario; the highest percentage of shoreline to area than anywhere in the province; and the only rock barrens in Ontario. To view these maps see: Geographic Transitions of TLB
Generally the landscape has less than 15cm of soil cover. The lack of soils, together with the abundance of connected fresh water, and the starker climate make this landscape easy to damage. Pollution and disruption here is far reaching and long lasting.
Ecotones are also areas of high biodiversity. Biodiversity results from the number of food web interactions: Higher biodiversity means more species are interacting within the food web. High biodiversity is important for healthy and functioning ecosystems. Higher biodiversity translates into more capacity to withstand climate change and to maintain ecosystem functions, and therefore greater wellbeing for people.
For more information on the characteristics of The Land Between Ecotone: The Land Between as an ecotone