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Region profile

Aberdeen Plains

Aberdeen Plains is a tundra region extending from the MacAlpine Lake region to the Hudson Bay, characterized by continuous permafrost, shrub tundra vegetation, numerous lakes, and serves as an important summer range for caribou.

Zone

Arctic

Common Name

Aberdeen Plains

CEC Level III Code

2.4.2

CEC Level II Code

2.4 Southern Arctic

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Aberdeen Plains ecoregion, part of the Hudson Plains, is characterized by extensive wetlands, tundra, and boreal forests. Factors impacting pollinators include climate change leading to unpredictable weather and altered bloom times, habitat fragmentation from resource development, and insecticide use, though less prevalent than in agricultural areas. Its unique biodiversity, including willow and ericaceous shrubs, provides crucial resources for local insects, but these habitats are sensitive to disturbance.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Aberdeen Plains
Geographic Range	The Aberdeen Plains region extends from the MacAlpine Lake region in Nunavut and southeasterly to the Hudson Bay region near the community of Rankin Inlet.
Climate Snapshot	The Aberdeen Plains region has a mean annual temperature between -8°C and -11°C, with a summer mean of 5.5°C, a winter mean of -25.5°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from 200-275 mm.
Terrain Profile	The Aberdeen Plains area, extending across the Canadian Shield with massive granitic rocks, features a broad, level terrain that transitions into gently sloping plains and hills reaching up to 300 masl, with continuous permafrost and discontinuous, thin, sandy moraine on the surface.
Vegetation Cover	Mainly shrub tundra vegetation is found, with dwarf birch, willow, and alder on warm, dry sites, and willow, sedge, and moss dominating poorly drained sites.
Wildlife Habitat	The Aberdeen Plains region is a vital summer range for caribou and a breeding habitat for snow and Canada goose, with other wildlife including moose, fox, wolf, lynx, and various smaller mammals and raptors.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Short, intense warm season; long cold season
Wind and exposure can dry plants and cool insects quickly
Microclimates (small local weather differences) near water, sheltered slopes, or protected yards can be noticeably warmer

Vegetation profile

Mainly shrub tundra vegetation is found, with dwarf birch, willow, and alder on warm, dry sites, and willow, sedge, and moss dominating poorly drained sites.

Wildlife profile

The Aberdeen Plains region is a vital summer range for caribou and a breeding habitat for snow and Canada goose, with other wildlife including moose, fox, wolf, lynx, and various smaller mammals and raptors.

Why pollinators matter here

The flowering season is short, so timing of blooms matters a lot
Wind and cold can reduce the hours when insects can fly and feed
Small patches of flowers can be valuable “refueling stops” when they’re sheltered
Avoiding pesticides helps protect the limited pollinator activity that does occur

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Early warm season: focus on hardy, fast-starting plants (where feasible)
Peak warm season: prioritize continuous bloom and wind-sheltered placement
Late warm season: protect late flowers and avoid “tidying” that removes seedheads and shelter

Quick seasonal checklist

Choose the sunniest, most sheltered spot you have
Use containers if ground conditions are too cold/wet
Keep flowers coming in sequence (early → mid → late)
Leave some stems/leaf litter for shelter instead of cleaning everything up

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.

Season	What pollinators need most	What you can do
Late winter/early spring	Safe overwintering sites; early food when warmth arrives	In your home region: leave some leaf litter/stems until it’s consistently warm; plan early-bloom plants.
Spring	Early nectar/pollen; calm, sunny feeding spots	In your home region: plant early bloomers; add a shallow water dish with stones; avoid pesticides.
Summer	Steady nectar/pollen; nesting materials and undisturbed soil	In your home region: keep blooms continuous; leave some bare ground; add a small brush pile or stem bundle.
Late summer/fall	Late-season nectar; places to prepare for winter	In your home region: plant late bloomers; don’t deadhead everything; delay major cleanup.
Winter or Dry Season	Protected shelter from cold/wind; intact habitat	In your home region: keep seedheads and stems; avoid removing all “messy” habitat; plan next season’s patch.

What You Can Do

Make a difference for native habitats.

Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.

Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.

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Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

Alders

Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.

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Asters

Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.

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Birches

Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.

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Blueberries & huckleberries

Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.

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Clovers

Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.

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Fireweed

Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.

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Fleabanes

Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.

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Goldenrods

Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.

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Kinnikinnick

Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.

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Manzanitas

Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.

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Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods

Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.

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Rushes

Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.

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Sedges

Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.

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Willowherbs

Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.

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Willows

Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.

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