Wildlife of
Newfoundland and Labrador

The dominant terrestrial biome across most of Newfoundland and much of Labrador, characterized by spruce-fir forests, lichen woodlands, extensive barrens, and fire/wind/insect disturbance regimes.

Widespread across the island of Newfoundland and large portions of southern to central Labrador; the majority of terrestrial area outside the far north and high mountains.

Low-shrub, moss/lichen tundra and coastal tundra in northern Labrador, with permafrost influence in places and short growing seasons; includes tundra heaths and polar barrens near the Labrador Sea.

Primarily northern Labrador and exposed coastal headlands; increases toward the Torngat region and higher latitudes.

Alpine barrens and cold, windswept high-elevation habitats in the Long Range Mountains (Newfoundland) and especially the Torngat Mountains (Labrador), including talus slopes and alpine heaths.

Patchy, confined to higher elevations (notably Gros Morne/Long Range and Torngat Mountains).

Dense networks of lakes, ponds, bog pools, and river systems shaped by glacial terrain; important for Atlantic salmon rivers, brook trout/Arctic char waters, and wetland-dependent birds.

Ubiquitous inland across both Newfoundland and Labrador; very high lake and river density.

Extensive peatlands (bogs and fens), wet meadows, and coastal wetlands; key carbon stores and major habitat for waterfowl and moose/caribou foraging.

Widespread, especially on Newfoundland's plateau and lowlands and across poorly drained areas of Labrador.

Cold-temperate to subarctic Northwest Atlantic waters (shelves, banks, fjords, and deep basins) supporting forage fish, whales, seals, seabirds, and benthic communities; strong influence of the Labrador Current and seasonal sea ice in the north.

Surrounds the province-Newfoundland-Labrador Shelf and adjacent offshore waters; dominant around all coasts.

Black spruce and balsam fir forests with mossy understories; extensive in Newfoundland's interior and much of Labrador's taiga.

Localized stands of birch, aspen, and poplar-often in mixedwoods, riparian areas, or post-disturbance sites (more common in parts of Labrador and western Newfoundland valleys).

Open lichen woodlands and stunted treeline forms, especially toward northern Labrador and exposed, wind-pruned uplands.

Heath and dwarf-shrub communities on coastal barrens and uplands (blueberry/crowberry heaths), often on thin soils and exposed sites.

Northern Labrador tundra with low shrubs, sedges, mosses, and lichen; important summer habitat for migratory birds and caribou use in some regions.

Short-growing-season herb and graminoid patches in sheltered alpine areas and along meltwater zones, particularly in the Torngats and Long Range.

Long Range Mountains and Torngat Mountains, including fjorded slopes, talus, and high plateaus; strong elevational gradients over short distances.

Sea cliffs and steep headlands hosting major seabird nesting sites (e.g., puffins, murres, kittiwakes) and raptor perches.

Thousands of glacial lakes and reservoirs; key fish habitat and staging/foraging areas for waterfowl.

Salmon rivers and large braided systems; includes important migration corridors and spawning gravels (Atlantic salmon and other salmonids).

Small ponds and kettle-like basins common across peatlands and barrens; often highly productive for amphibians/invertebrates in southern areas.

Peatlands, wet meadows, and riparian wetlands-core habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and peatland flora.

Fresh and brackish marshes in sheltered bays and river mouths; important for migratory birds and juvenile fish nurseries.

Raised and blanket bogs (especially on Newfoundland) with sphagnum mats, ericaceous shrubs, and peat pools; major carbon storage landscapes.

River mouths and fjord-head estuaries with strong salinity gradients that support nursery habitat and high bird use.

Highly indented coastline with bays, fjords, dunes, and headlands; frequent fog and high wave exposure shape specialized plant communities.

Sandy and cobble beaches (more localized than rocky shores) supporting shorebirds and coastal dune/strand vegetation where present.

Dominant shoreline type: wave-exposed rock platforms and boulder coasts with rich intertidal communities (mussels, seaweeds).

Nearshore kelp beds in cold, clear waters that provide structure for fish and invertebrates, especially along exposed and semi-exposed coasts.

Offshore waters used by whales, seabirds, and pelagic fish; strong seasonal productivity tied to mixing, ice edge dynamics (north), and shelf processes.

Deep basins and slope waters off the shelf supporting cold-water fauna and deep-diving marine mammals; includes canyon-like features in places.

Shelf and slope benthic habitats (sand, gravel, mud) supporting invertebrate communities and groundfish assemblages; includes sensitive sponge/coral areas in some offshore zones.

Concentrated primarily around St. John's and a few regional centers; coastal development and ports influence nearby habitats.

Low-density development around major towns, expanding into forest and wetland edges.

Limited and localized (notably parts of western Newfoundland such as the Humber Valley/Deer Lake area), including hayfields and small mixed farming landscapes.