A Preliminary Ecological Survey of the District Surrounding the Entomological Station at Treesbank, Manitoba

Abstract

In the southwest corner of Manitoba is situated the Spruce Woods Forest and Game Reserve, an area of some io8 square miles. It is of great ecological interest because it has been practically unmolested by man and contains an unusually large and varied assortment of biotic associations. The writer became interested in this area while working at the Dominion Entomological Laboratory at Aweme, 5 miles north of Treesbank, Manitoba, during the summers of 1924-26. In order to give a general understanding of the ecology of the district, it was thought advisable to publish this preliminary account, which could be followed later by more intensive studies of the various communities. A type area (see map figure i), partly in the reserve but extending some distance to the south, of about 83 square miles situated in part of townships 9 and IO, range I5; T. 8, 9 and part of IO, R. i6; part of T. 8, 9 and IO, R. 17, all west of the principal meridan, was selected for study as it includes the typical associations of the district. The laboratory is situated on the northeast quarter of section 32, T. 8, R. i6, Lat. 490 42', Long. 990 33'. The floral nomenclature is that of Gray's Manual, 7th edition, the mammals of G. S. Millar's List of North American Recent Mammals and the birds of the A. 0. U. Check-list of North American Birds, 3d edition.