User:Bamforal/sandbox
Geography
[edit]Climate
[edit]Similarly to the rest of the province, Montmartre's climate is characterized by short, warm summers and long, cold winters[1]. On average, July is the warmest month with a mean temperature of 18.2 °C, according to the recordings taken at Indian Head, the nearest weather station to Montmartre[2]. January is the coolest month in Montmartre with an average temperature recorded at -14.8 °C[3]. In the summer months, the average daily highs range from low to mid twenties, with July being the warmest month at an average daily high of 25 °C[4]. During the coolest of the winter months, the average low ranges from -17.3 °C to -20.1 °C[5]. The highest temperature on record for the area is 42.8 °C, which was recorded on July 5, 1937[6]. In contrast, the lowest temperature recorded in the area was -46.7 °C on February 1, 1893[7].
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Average_Monthly_Temperature_and_Precipitation_of_Montmartre%2C_SK.png/220px-Average_Monthly_Temperature_and_Precipitation_of_Montmartre%2C_SK.png)
The Aspen Parkland ecoregion receives anywhere from 400mm- 500mm of precipitation annually[8]. Similarly, the area of Montmartre receives an average of 428mm of precipitation each year, as recorded at the Indian Head weather station[9]. The majority of precipitation comes in the spring and summer months from May to August[10]. June receives the highest amount of precipitation annually, getting an average of 77.4 mm[11]. The maximum rainfall recorded in one day was 167.6 mm on June 15, 1897[12]. The maximum snowfall in one day is recorded as 45.7 cm on May 19, 1910[13].
Ecology
[edit]Montmartre is located in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion, one of Saskatchewan's 11 ecoregions[14]. The Aspen Parkland separates the Boreal Forest in the north and the Grasslands in the south[15]. Having been characterized by aspen poplars, oak groves, mixed tall shrub and scattered fescue grasslands prior to settlement, the Aspen Parkland is now largely made up of farmland[16]. The natural vegetation is mainly comprised of spear grass, wheat grass, blue grama grass and sagebrush[17]. The landscape is formed from glacial till characterized by short, steep slopes and many water-filled valleys, small lakes, ponds and sloughs that surround Montmartre, providing excellent conditions for waterfowl to thrive[18].
Montmartre is located in between the Chapleau Lakes, just over two kilometres northeast and northwest of either lake[19]. These two lakes are the biggest bodies of water in the Montmartre area[20].
Saskatchewan water supplies are currently facing a problem with the aquatic invasive species, the zebra and quagga mussels[21]. These are highly invasive mussels that threaten aquatic habitats by competing with native species[22]. The mussels act as water filters, removing microscopic plants and animals from the water, which limits the food sources for the native species[23].
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Thomomys_talpoides.jpg/220px-Thomomys_talpoides.jpg)
The wildlife around Montmartre is quite diverse, ranging from small rodents such as squirrels, gophers, and porcupines to big carnivores such as badgers, foxes, and coyotes[24]. The white-tailed deer is the prominent species in the area, along with coyotes and the red fox[25]. Many herbivores roam the area such as the snowshoe hare, the cottontail rabbit, the northern pocket gopher, and Franklin's ground squirrel[26]. Prior to settlement, bison and pronghorn antelope were more common, as were predators such as wolves[27]. Today, settlement and agriculture have caused many species, such as the bison, to become nearly extinct in the area[28].
- ^ University of Saskatchewan. “Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.” University of Saskatchewan. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.usask.ca/biology/rareplants_sk/root/htm/en/researcher/4_ecoreg.php>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ University of Saskatchewan. “Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.” University of Saskatchewan. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.usask.ca/biology/rareplants_sk/root/htm/en/researcher/4_ecoreg.php>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ Government of Canada. “Canadian Climate Normals 1981 – 2010 Station Data.” Government of Canada. 22 Sep. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2925&autofwd=1>
- ^ University of Saskatchewan. “Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.” University of Saskatchewan. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.usask.ca/biology/rareplants_sk/root/htm/en/researcher/4_ecoreg.php>
- ^ University of Saskatchewan. “Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.” University of Saskatchewan. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.usask.ca/biology/rareplants_sk/root/htm/en/researcher/4_ecoreg.php>
- ^ University of Saskatchewan. “Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.” University of Saskatchewan. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.usask.ca/biology/rareplants_sk/root/htm/en/researcher/4_ecoreg.php>
- ^ The Ecological Framework of Canada. “Prairies Ecozone.” The Ecological Framework of Canada. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/Prairies/plants.html>
- ^ Saskatchewan Conservative Data Centre. “Ecoregion Aspen Parkland.” Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre. 27 May 2015. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ecoregions/Aspen_Parkland.htm>
- ^ Google Maps. “Chapleau Lakes, Montmartre No. 126, SK.” Google Maps. 14 Nov. 2015 <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Unnamed+Rd,+Candiac,+SK+S0G+0N0/@50.2042876,-103.5357957,12.6z/data=!4m15!1m12!4m11!1m3!2m2!1d-103.3770379!2d50.1945288!1m6!1m2!1s0x531e3e64f3fb0f4b:0xc646be79628abfaa!2sUnnamed+Rd,+Candiac,+SK+S0G+0N0!2m2!1d-103.3711991!2d50.2050987!3m1!1s0x531e3e64f3fb0f4b:0xc646be79628abfaa>
- ^ Google Maps. “Chapleau Lakes, Montmartre No. 126, SK.” Google Maps. 14 Nov. 2015 <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Unnamed+Rd,+Candiac,+SK+S0G+0N0/@50.2042876,-103.5357957,12.6z/data=!4m15!1m12!4m11!1m3!2m2!1d-103.3770379!2d50.1945288!1m6!1m2!1s0x531e3e64f3fb0f4b:0xc646be79628abfaa!2sUnnamed+Rd,+Candiac,+SK+S0G+0N0!2m2!1d-103.3711991!2d50.2050987!3m1!1s0x531e3e64f3fb0f4b:0xc646be79628abfaa>
- ^ The Ministry of Environment. “Invasive Species.” Government of Saskatchewan. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=757,756,254,94,88,Documents&MediaID=ba1982f1-4409-4ca1-ae18-cb84b722e5b7&Filename=Zebra+and+Quagga+Mussels.pdf&l=English>
- ^ The Ministry of Environment. “Invasive Species.” Government of Saskatchewan. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=757,756,254,94,88,Documents&MediaID=ba1982f1-4409-4ca1-ae18-cb84b722e5b7&Filename=Zebra+and+Quagga+Mussels.pdf&l=English>
- ^ The Ministry of Environment. “Invasive Species.” Government of Saskatchewan. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=757,756,254,94,88,Documents&MediaID=ba1982f1-4409-4ca1-ae18-cb84b722e5b7&Filename=Zebra+and+Quagga+Mussels.pdf&l=English>
- ^ Action, Donald F., Padbury, Glenn A., and Stushnoff, C.T. “Prairies.” The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. 1998. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/prairies.html
- ^ Action, Donald F., Padbury, Glenn A., and Stushnoff, C.T. “Prairies.” The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. 1998. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/prairies.html
- ^ University of Saskatchewan. “Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.” University of Saskatchewan. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.usask.ca/biology/rareplants_sk/root/htm/en/researcher/4_ecoreg.php>
- ^ Action, Donald F., Padbury, Glenn A., and Stushnoff, C.T. “Prairies.” The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. 1998. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/prairies.html
- ^ Action, Donald F., Padbury, Glenn A., and Stushnoff, C.T. “Prairies.” The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. 1998. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/prairies.html