Aspen parkland

Aspen parkland refers to a very large area of transitional biome between prairie and boreal forest in two sections, namely the Peace River Country of northwestern Alberta crossing the border into British Columbia, and a much larger area stretching from central Alberta, all across central Saskatchewan to south central Manitoba and continuing into small parts of the US states of Minnesota and North Dakota. Aspen parkland consists of groves of aspen, poplar and spruce, interspersed with areas of prairie grasslands, also intersected by large stream and river valleys lined with aspen-spruce forests and dense shrubbery. This is the largest boreal-grassland transition zone in the world and is a zone of constant competition and tension as prairie and woodlands struggle to overtake each other within the parkland.

Aspen parkland
Aspen parkland near Calgary, Alberta
Aspen parkland within Canada
Ecology
RealmNearctic
BiomeTemperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Borders
List
Bird species206
Mammal species72
Geography
Area397,304 km2 (153,400 sq mi)
Countries
States/Provinces
Climate typeHumid continental (Dfb)
Conservation
Conservation statusCritical/Endangered
Habitat loss63.76%
Protected2.95%

This article focuses on this biome in North America. Similar biomes also exist in Russia north of the steppes (forest steppe) and in northern Canada.

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