Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus is an ecoregion extending along the northerly Yukon and Northwest Territories border and the foothills of the Mackenzie Mountains, characterized by long, very cold winters, short cool summers, continuous permafrost, and predominant vegetation of open, very stunted black spruce and tamarack stands.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus
CEC Level III Code
3.2.3
CEC Level II Code
3.2 Taiga Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus, CEC 3.2.3, Peel River & Nahanni Plateaus, Peel–Nahanni Plateaus, Peel River–Nahanni Plateaus |
| Geographic Range | This ecoregion extends along parts of the northerly Yukon and Northwest Territories border and along the foothills of the Mackenzie Mountains. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus ecoregion is marked by long, very cold winters (mean -22.5°C) and short cool summers (mean 10°C), with mean annual precipitation ranging from 200 to 500 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus region is a hilly to plateau-like area with elevations typically ranging from 1,100 to 1,200 masl, covered by thin to discontinuous glacial drift and organic deposits, and characterized by continuous permafrost. |
| Vegetation Cover | The predominant vegetation consists of open, very stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack with white spruce, and a ground cover of dwarf birch, willow, ericaceous shrubs, cottongrass, lichen, and moss, with low shrub tundra also being common. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus are home to characteristic wildlife such as caribou, moose, grizzly and black bear, wolf, coyote, red fox, and lynx, along with birds like raven, osprey, spruce grouse, and snow and Canada geese. |
Eco snapshot
The predominant vegetation consists of open, very stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack with white spruce, and a ground cover of dwarf birch, willow, ericaceous shrubs, cottongrass, lichen, and moss, with low shrub tundra also being common.
The Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus are home to characteristic wildlife such as caribou, moose, grizzly and black bear, wolf, coyote, red fox, and lynx, along with birds like raven, osprey, spruce grouse, and snow and Canada geese.
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 | Safe overwintering sites; early food as soon as conditions allow | Leave stems/leaf litter in place; plan for early-blooming natives; avoid spring “clean-up” that removes shelter |
| Spring | Early nectar/pollen; nesting sites coming online | Plant early bloomers; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; add a few hollow stems/bee habitat bundles |
| Summer | Continuous bloom; water; shade/shelter during hot or windy spells | Aim for a “no gaps” bloom sequence; water during dry spells; mulch lightly (don’t smother all bare soil) |
| Late summer / fall | Late flowers; energy for overwintering; undisturbed habitat | Plant late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants; leave seedheads and stems; avoid fall pesticide use |
| Winter | Protected shelter from cold and wind | Don’t cut everything down; keep natural debris in a corner; mark your garden so it isn’t “tidied” mid-winter |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs/groundcovers) that provide the first food.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that carry the main nectar/pollen supply.
Fall finisher: late bloomers 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.
