LANDSCAPE DEFINITIONS of the Thompson-Nicola Region

Alpine tundra is an ecozone that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra transitions to subalpine forests below the tree line. The flora of the alpine tundra is characterized by dwarf shrubs close to the ground.

Examples: Sun Peaks Mountain Resort, Blue River, Clearwater, Well Gray Park.

A badlands (also badland) is a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water. It can resemble malpaís, a terrain of volcanic rock. Canyons, ravines, gullies, hoodoos and other such geological forms are common in badlands.

Examples: Kamloops, Ashcroft, Cache Creek

A ridge, as of sand or gravel, on a shoreline or streambed, that is formed by the action of tides or current.

Examples: Big Bar, China Bar, French Bar, Watson Bar (along Fraser River)

A cliff, headland or hill with broad, steep face, presenting a bold & nearly perpendicular front, such as a coastline.

Examples: Ashcroft Slough, Lytton and throughout Thompson-Nicola region

A deep valley with steep sides, often with a stream running through it.

Examples: Big Bar Canyon, China Bar Canyon, Kamloops' Tranquille Valley, Merritt's Little Box Canyon, Savona's Deadman Valley

High steep face of a rock.

Examples: Throughout Thompson-Nicola region.

Coniferous means "of or relating to or part of trees or shrubs bearing cones and evergreen leaves." Conifers have needle-like or scale like leaves and they do not shed them seasonally.

Examples: Throughout Thompson-Nicola region

Is a narrow crack or gap, especially in a rock.

Examples: Cinnamon Ridge area in Kamloops and Windy Canyon in Merritt

Deciduous means falling off at maturity or tending to fall off and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that loses their leaves seasonally.

Examples: Throughout Thompson-Nicola region, mostly in the Clearwater area

A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants.

A semi-desert is a semiarid area often located between a desert and a grassland or woodland; much like a desert but usually located between a desert and surrounding regions.

Examples: Ashcroft, Big Bar areas, Cache Creek, Kamloops, Merritt areas, Spences Bridge, Walhachin

A deep narrow valley with very steep sides, usually where a river passes through mountains or an area of hard rock.

Examples: Clinton's Chasm or Helmcken Falls area

An area, as a prairie in which the natural vegetation consists largely of perennial grasses, characteristic of sub humid and semi arid climates. Land with grass growing on it, especially farmland used for grazing or pasture.

Examples: Kamloops & Knutsford grasslands, Douglas Lake grasslands and generally areas between Kamloops and Merritt

A long narrow valley with steep sides which has been made by a stream flowing through it.

Examples: Kamloops Harper Ranch gulch

A long narrow valley with steep sides.

Examples: Throughout Thompson-Nicola region

A pillar of rock (or clay) – usually of fantastic shape, left by erosion.

Examples: Ashcroft, Deadman Valley, Kamloops, Marble Canyon

Referring to Gold Rush days, a 'house' marked the miles on the gold rush trail.

Examples: 16 Mile House, 20 Mile House, 59 Miles House, 70 Mile House

A tract of grassland used for pasture or serving as a hayfield. A tract of grassland in an upper area near a timber line.

Examples: Throughout Thompson-Nicola region

A very deep narrow valley with steep sides but larger than gullies and smaller than valleys.

Examples: Kamloops Tranquille Creek area

A valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.

Examples: Lower Nicola Valley, Nicola Valley, North Thompson Valley