Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau is a region extending from Lac Saint-Jean valley and plains in Quebec to the Straits of Belle Isle, characterized by cool summers and cold winters, Canadian Shield uplands and lowlands, and dominated by boreal coniferous forest.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau
CEC Level III Code
5.1.3
CEC Level II Code
5.1 Softwood Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau, CEC 5.1.3, Central Laurentians & Mecatina Plateau, Central Laurentians, Mecatina Plateau |
| Geographic Range | This region extends from the Lac Saint-Jean valley and plains in Quebec to the Straits of Belle Isle between Quebec and Newfoundland. |
| Climate Snapshot | This region is marked by predominantly cool summers (mean 12°C) and cold winters (mean -11.5°C), with a mean annual temperature of approximately 0.5°C and annual precipitation ranging from 800 to 1,000 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by Canadian Shield uplands and lowlands, featuring common outcroppings and moraine covers, with elevations typically ranging from 500 to 600 meters above sea level. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region is part of the boreal coniferous forest, dominated by black spruce and balsam fir, with more open stands of spruce and birch on upper slopes, and associated wetland species in poorly drained areas. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The wildlife of this region includes mammals such as caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, wolf, fox, lynx, and snowshoe hare, as well as bird species like Canada goose, ruffed grouse, American black duck, shorebirds, and seabirds. |
Eco snapshot
The region is part of the boreal coniferous forest, dominated by black spruce and balsam fir, with more open stands of spruce and birch on upper slopes, and associated wetland species in poorly drained areas.
The wildlife of this region includes mammals such as caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, wolf, fox, lynx, and snowshoe hare, as well as bird species like Canada goose, ruffed grouse, American black duck, shorebirds, and seabirds.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
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 | Early nectar/pollen; safe shelter as insects emerge | Leave stems/leaves in place longer; add early-blooming native plants; provide a small water dish with stones |
| Spring | Steady blooms; nesting sites starting up | Plant or pot up spring bloomers; keep some bare, well-drained soil; avoid all pesticides |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; shade/water during hot or dry spells | Add mid-season “bridge” flowers; water new plantings; keep blooms coming in clumps |
| Late summer / fall | High-energy nectar/pollen before winter; undisturbed habitat | Plant late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants so seedheads/stems remain; reduce mowing and trimming |
| Winter | Protected overwintering sites | Leave stems standing; keep leaf litter in a corner; avoid “perfectly tidy” fall cleanup |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early flowers that help pollinators as they first become active.
Summer bridge: mid-season blooms that prevent a “hungry gap.”
Fall finisher: late flowers that help pollinators fuel up before winter.
What You Can Do
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.
Native plants
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Many visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while also playing important roles in local food webs.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
Adults can help move pollen as they nectar at flowers, and their caterpillars are an important part of local food webs.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
