Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau is an ecoregion in northeastern Quebec characterized by cool summers and very cold winters, dominated by open black spruce, dwarf birch, northern Labrador tea, and lichens, with numerous small lakes and sporadic discontinuous permafrost.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau
CEC Level III Code
3.4.4
CEC Level II Code
3.4 Taiga Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau, CEC 3.4.4 |
| Geographic Range | This ecoregion, which includes the Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau, extends southwards from Ungava Bay in northeastern Quebec to regions north of the Smallwood Reservoir. |
| Climate Snapshot | This region is characterized by cool summers and very cold winters, with a mean annual temperature of approximately -4.5°C and mean annual precipitation ranging from 300 to 750 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is composed of uplands and lowlands based on Canadian Shield rocks, with elevations ranging from about 730 masl in the south to 360 masl in the north, and surfaces covered by hummocky and drumlinized moraines, outcroppings, and sporadic discontinuous permafrost. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is characterized by open to very open stands of black spruce, dwarf birch, northern Labrador tea, and lichens, becoming sparser and more open closer to Ungava Bay. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau ecoregion is a habitat for caribou, small mammals, waterfowl, and other birds. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is characterized by open to very open stands of black spruce, dwarf birch, northern Labrador tea, and lichens, becoming sparser and more open closer to Ungava Bay.
The Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau ecoregion is a habitat for caribou, small mammals, waterfowl, and other 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 food sources; safe shelter as temperatures swing | Avoid disturbing leaf litter and stems; protect any early-blooming native plants you find |
| Spring | A steady ramp-up of nectar/pollen; nesting sites | Keep areas pesticide-free; leave some bare/undisturbed ground; plant only hardy, locally appropriate natives |
| Summer | Continuous bloom; water; shade/shelter on hot/windy days | Aim for overlapping blooms; provide a shallow water source with landing stones; keep some shrubs/structure |
| Late summer/fall | “Last chance” blooms; energy for overwintering; undisturbed habitat | Add late-blooming natives where feasible; stop deadheading everything; leave seed heads and stems |
| Winter or Dry Season | Protected overwintering sites | Don’t over-tidy; leave natural cover (stems, leaf litter, woody debris) until well into the next growing season |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming, cold-hardy natives (often low shrubs and woodland/edge flowers)
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season bloomers that can handle exposure (where appropriate)
Fall finisher: late-season bloomers (where they naturally occur) to prevent end-of-season food gaps
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.
