Abitibi Plains and Rivière Rupert Plateau is a region extending from Longlac in Ontario to Mistassini Lake in Quebec, characterized by a mixed forest, cold and snowy winters, and land uses including forestry, mining, and power generation.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau
CEC Level III Code
5.1.6
CEC Level II Code
5.1 Softwood Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau, CEC 5.1.6 |
| Geographic Range | The Abitibi Plains and Rivière Rupert Plateau region extends from Longlac in Ontario eastwards to the Mistassini Lake in Quebec. |
| Climate Snapshot | The region's climate is characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters, with a mean annual temperature of approximately 0.5°C and mean annual precipitation ranging from 650 to 900 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain is dominated by Canadian Shield uplands and lowlands, featuring discontinuous rolling surfaces with altitudes typically between 300–350 masl, but reaching up to 1,065 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is a mixed forest primarily characterized by white spruce, balsam fir, paper birch, and trembling aspen, with jack pine or black spruce/balsam fir dominating drier or wetter sites, respectively. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The region is home to large mammals like moose, black bear, and caribou, alongside predators such as lynx, wolf, and coyote, and bird species including the Canada goose and American black duck. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is a mixed forest primarily characterized by white spruce, balsam fir, paper birch, and trembling aspen, with jack pine or black spruce/balsam fir dominating drier or wetter sites, respectively.
The region is home to large mammals like moose, black bear, and caribou, alongside predators such as lynx, wolf, and coyote, and bird species including the Canada goose and American black duck.
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 temperatures swing | Leave stems/leaf litter longer; plant early-blooming natives and shrubs suited to your site |
| Spring | A steady ramp-up of blooms; nesting materials and undisturbed spots | Add spring bloomers; avoid “cleaning up” every corner; keep some bare ground |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; water; shade/shelter during heat and storms | Plant mid-season natives in clumps; provide a shallow water source with landing stones |
| Late summer / fall | High-energy nectar; late pollen; places to overwinter | Prioritize late bloomers; delay heavy pruning; leave seedheads and stems standing |
| Winter | Protected overwintering habitat | Leave leaf litter in some areas; keep stems; avoid disturbing likely nesting/shelter zones |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs and early woodland/edge flowers) to help pollinators as soon as they emerge.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that provide steady nectar/pollen through the main growing period.
Fall finisher: late-season asters/goldenrods and other late bloomers to 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.
