Wildlife of
Alberta

Dominant in northern and central Alberta as boreal plains forest with extensive conifer stands (spruce, pine, tamarack) mixed with deciduous aspen/birch, and large peatland complexes.

Largest biome; broadly across the northern half to two-thirds of the province (Boreal Forest Natural Region and much of the Boreal Plains).

Native prairie in the south and southeast, including mixedgrass and shortgrass communities, with coulees and badlands supporting drought-tolerant shrubs and grasses.

Concentrated in southern Alberta (Grassland Natural Region), with remaining native prairie fragmented by agriculture.

Montane and foothills forests along the eastern slopes of the Rockies and in the aspen parkland transition zone; includes montane conifer forests and broadleaf-dominated stands (notably trembling aspen) in parkland mosaics.

Foothills and parkland belt (central-south to central Alberta) and lower mountain valleys; moderate area relative to boreal.

High-elevation alpine and subalpine zones of the Rocky Mountains with treeline meadows, talus slopes, and alpine tundra-like communities (heaths, sedges, cushion plants).

Narrow but ecologically distinctive band along the western mountain spine (highest elevations of the Rockies).

Large rivers, headwater streams from glaciers/snowpack, prairie pothole ponds, and major lakes/reservoirs support diverse fish communities and riparian corridors.

Widespread statewide; densest surface-water networks in mountain-fed basins and northern lowlands.

Extensive peatlands (bogs and fens) in boreal regions, riparian marshes, and major deltaic wetlands (e.g., Peace-Athabasca Delta) that are vital for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

Very extensive in northern and central Alberta; also present as prairie marshes and riverine wetlands in the south.

Boreal black spruce-tamarack lowlands, jack pine uplands, and foothills/mountain conifer forests (spruce-fir), including post-fire successional mosaics.

Aspen-dominated stands common in the aspen parkland and mixedwood boreal, often interspersed with wetlands and conifer patches.

Continuous forest cover in the boreal north and extensive foothills forests, supporting species such as moose, wolf, black bear, and woodland caribou (in select areas).

Native prairie and grazed rangelands in the south; key for grassland birds and species adapted to open, dry environments.

Mixedgrass and shortgrass prairie (southern Alberta), including remnants with rough fescue and needle-and-thread grasses; many areas are fragmented or converted to cropland.

Dry coulee slopes, sagebrush/low-shrub patches, and badlands shrub communities, especially in the south and along major river valleys.

Rocky Mountain landscapes including glaciated peaks, subalpine forests, avalanche paths, and montane valleys (e.g., Banff/Jasper regions).

Treeline and above-treeline meadows with short growing seasons; important summer range for mountain ungulates and pollinators.

Rocky escarpments and canyon walls in the Rockies and badlands, providing nesting sites for cliff-dwelling birds and specialized plants.

Karst and cave features in parts of the Rockies/foothills, supporting bats and specialized subterranean invertebrates where present.

Major river corridors (Athabasca, Peace, North Saskatchewan, Red Deer, Bow) with dynamic floodplains, cottonwood riparian zones, and critical fish habitat.

Large natural lakes (e.g., Lake Athabasca's Alberta portion, Lesser Slave Lake) and numerous northern lakes important for fish and waterbirds.

Prairie pothole ponds and small boreal waterbodies that support amphibians and breeding waterfowl.

Peatlands (bogs/fens), prairie marshes, and deltaic wetlands; key for water storage, carbon, and biodiversity.

Shallow, vegetated wetlands along lake margins and floodplains, important for nesting and staging migratory birds.

Acidic, peat-accumulating wetlands common in the boreal region with black spruce, sphagnum mosses, and specialized flora.

Forested wetlands along lowland rivers and in boreal depressions, often with willow/alder and mixedwood.

Extensive croplands and pasture across the prairies and parkland; major driver of habitat fragmentation in southern and central Alberta.

Urban ecosystems centered on Calgary, Edmonton, and regional cities with river-valley green spaces and managed parks.

Expanding suburban/commuter landscapes around major cities, with mixed naturalized patches, stormwater ponds, and fragmented woodlots.