Environment: Freshwater facts for Canada and the world.




Water is life. All living things depend on water to support life functions. Human and animal food supplies are dependent upon fresh water through agriculture and fisheries. Air is a common term for the atmosphere made of nitrogen, oxygen and other trace gases that surround our planet and make life on earth possible. The atmosphere is a complex natural system. Air pollution from raising animals for human consumption, transportation, industries, and other sources causes an imbalance in this system by modifying its chemical composition. Living things are affected by air pollution in a variety of negative ways.


Grown in the garden of Canada





Cloudberries are called 'molter' in Norwegian and are often nicknamed 'highland gold'. Cloudberries are from the rose family of plants and therefore are closely related to strawberries, raspberries, cherries and apples. Cloudberries grow in swamp areas in the Arctic on mountains, on plains and even by the sea. They don't like to sit in swamp water but grow on little mounds usually with other plants such as grasses and ferns. The plants might seem small but they have a large underground root and runners system and so one plant can occupy a large area. Some runners are over 4 metres long and the roots run up to 2 metres into the ground. There are usually more male plants than female plants in any one area. The female plants can take several years to produce fruit (up to 7) and they do not produce fruit every season. Not every plant gets pollinated so it is common to see fruitless red flowers.




Farming is of minor importance in the economy of Newfoundland. The poor soil and a short growing season discourage the raising of most crops. Agriculture in Newfoundland is limited to areas south of St. John's, near Deer Lake and in the Codroy Valley. The chief food crops include potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, cabbage, and broccoli. Wild blueberries, partridgeberries and bakeapples are used in jams and wine making.

The Longs Braya and the Fernalds Braya, are arctic-alpine like plants that have been found in the limestone barrens on the Great Northern Peninsula. That is an extremely unusual habitat that is home to several rare species of plants. Of course, Newfoundlanders often find it hard to believe that our province could host something so unique. But if you have ever driven up the Northern Peninsula and seen this landscape, it looks like open Arctic terrain between a roaring, cold Atlantic ocean and a much used paved road, then you would probably no longer doubt. This is the only place that these plants can be found in the world. We need to ensure that these plants will persist in their natural habitat.


Wildflowers, with their variety of colours, shapes, and scents, add immensely to the Banff National Park experience. Whether identifying, photographing or simply appreciating them, wildflowers brighten a visit to this mountain landscape.


The three major vegetation zones in the park support a variety of wildflower species. Here are some of the characteristic wildflowers of each zone, with a few suggestions for good places to find them.

The Montane Zone


The montane (low elevation) valleys of Banff National Park shelter many wildflowers that are more representative of the foothills and prairies. This include Prairie Crocus, Common Harebell, Common Butterwort, Elephanthead, and Early Blue Violet.

The Subalpine Zone

On the shady forest floor you will come across such wildflowers as Bunchberry, Twinflower, Bronze Bells, Single Delight (One-flowered Wintergreen), Labrador Tea, and White-flowered Rhododendron. Tall colourful flowers, such as Sitka Valerian, Fleabanes and Triangular-leaved ragworts grace treeline glades.

The Alpine Zone

In the land of rock and snow, above the last trees, there are found some hardy wildflowers. Among them are Moss Campion, Purple Saxifrage, Glacier Lily, Alpine Speedwell, Alpine Forget-Me-Not, Western Anemone, White Mountain Avens, Mountain Sorrel, Silky Phacelia, and three different heathers.







Other good spots to find these wildflowers include the north shore of Johnson Lake, open grassy areas such as below the falls on Cascade Mountain or along the Bow Valley Parkway, and in the Saskatchewan River Crossing area in the northern part of the park.



There are a number of species that flourish across one or even two vegetation zones. Examples include Wild Rose (Alberta's floral emblem), Indian Paintbrush, Rock Jasmine, Wild Strawberry, Fireweed, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Yellow Columbine, Heart-leaved Arnica, Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus, Yellow Hedysarum, Common Harebell, Spotted Saxifrage, Stonecrop, Bearberry, Mountain Fireweed (River Beauty), Common Yarrow, and Northern Bedstraw.



There are blossoms out in the Canadian Rockies from as early as late March through until mid-September, the peak flowering time in Banff National Park at all elevations is from mid-July to mid-August. The flowering season of a particular species is affected by factors such as elevation, slope orientation, wind, soil, and precipitation (including in the winter).