Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands is a diverse ecological region extending from western Alaska to northwestern Yukon, characterized by subarctic climate, a complex of needle leaf, broadleaf, and mixed forests, generally flat to gently rolling terrain, and fauna including caribou, moose, and bear.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands
CEC Level III Code
3.1.1
CEC Level II Code
3.1 Alaska Boreal Interior
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands, CEC 3.1.1, Interior forest lowlands & uplands, Alaska Boreal Interior—interior forested lowlands/uplands |
| Geographic Range | This diverse ecological region extends from the western margins of Alaska through to the Old Crow Basin in northwestern Yukon and covers a large portion of central Alaska. |
| Climate Snapshot | The ecoregion has a subarctic, continental-influenced climate characterized by cool to mild summers and long, cold winters, with a mean annual temperature of approximately -9.5°C and precipitation ranging from 200 to 800 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The landscape is generally flat to gently rolling terrain and dissected plateaus, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 700 masl in Alaska and from 400 masl to 1,000 masl in Canada. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation consists of needle leaf, broadleaf, and mixed forests, with common species including white and black spruce, tamarack, balsam poplar, and quaking aspen, along with ground cover of dwarf birch, willow, and various shrubs, lichens, and moss. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The fauna of the Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands region is diverse, featuring large mammals like caribou, moose, and bear, as well as smaller animals and various fish and birds. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation consists of needle leaf, broadleaf, and mixed forests, with common species including white and black spruce, tamarack, balsam poplar, and quaking aspen, along with ground cover of dwarf birch, willow, and various shrubs, lichens, and moss.
The fauna of the Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands region is diverse, featuring large mammals like caribou, moose, and bear, as well as smaller animals and various fish and birds.
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 places to emerge | Plan for early bloomers; avoid spring “cleanup” that removes shelter; skip systemic pesticides |
| Spring | Steady food as colonies/larvae ramp up | Plant/maintain early-to-mid bloom natives; provide shallow water (damp soil or a small dish with stones) |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen; shade/water during dry spells | Fill bloom gaps with mid-season flowers; water new plants; leave some bare soil for ground nesters |
| Late summer/fall | High-energy nectar; places to overwinter | Plant late bloomers; leave stems standing; keep some leaf litter; avoid fall pesticide use |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from cold; undisturbed nesting sites | Don’t mow everything down; keep brush/leaf areas; plan next season’s additions |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that “turn on” food as soon as conditions allow.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry the peak activity period.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (like goldenrods and native asters) 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.
