Manitoba displays a large range of vegetation types that are arranged with a climatically determined north/south zonation. Grass-covered areas in the south give way to parkland and forested areas further north and eventually to shrub tundra in the extreme northeast.

In southern and west central Manitoba, agriculture, grazing, forestry and urban development have drastically altered the natural vegetation, but vast areas in the north and northeast are in near pristine state. Vegetation that often obscures the earth’s surface is clearly shown on air photos; particularly useful are colour infrared images that can detect stressed areas. Wetlands cover about 40 percent of Manitoba and do not conform to the climatically determined zonal distribution of vegetation. They occur in all parts of the province and provide distinctive ground cover well shown on air photos.

Individual animals are too small to appear on all except very large-scale images. However, some animals (e.g. beaver) profoundly affect drainage systems.

5.24: Spring Fens West of Dancing Point, West Shore of Lake Winnipeg

The location is close to the junction of Ordovician and Silurian bedrock. Rocks of both periods include dolomite with argillaceous bands, and springs develop at the contacts. In the photo light-toned drainage way can be seen running from springs in the north 1 and centre 2. These are “spring fens”. They usually occur directly over springs in places where springs are widespread. The peat in spring fens varies in depth from shallow to deep but is thinner than peat in plateaus.[i] Wooded islands, probably covered by black spruce (Picea mariana), can be seen in the south 3, and the outline of a recent burn is in the lower left 4.

Figure 5.24: Spring Fens West of Dancing Point, West Shore of Lake Winnipeg

Figure 5.24

Vertical air photograph: A18200-60

Flight height: 8,850 feet a.s.l.; lens focal length: 153.01 mm

Scale: 1:16,150 (approx.)

Date: September 19, 1963

Location: Township 40, Range 8 WI

Map sheets: 1:250,000 63B Waterhen Lake

1:50,000 63B/7 Rudy Lake

Notes

[i] Interpretation is from Mollard op. cit., plate 12.7a.

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