This ecoregion can be divided into two sections. The largest section lies east and south of the Smallwood Reservoir, and extends across the Labrador-Québec boundary. The other section stretches across central Labrador, from the Smallwood Reservoir in the west to Postville in the east. It can be classified as mid subarctic forest. The summers are relatively short and cool and the winters are long and severe. The mean winter temperature is approximately -15°C, and the mean summer temperature is around 9°C. The mean annual temperature is about -3.5°C. The mean annual precipitation varies from 900 mm to 1000 mm.

The growing season is between 100 and 120 days. The open coniferous forests is bordered by tundra and alpine tundra vegetation communities to the north and by typical coniferous boreal forests to the south. Lichen-black/white spruce woodland with an understory of feathermoss exist in open stands. The topography in this ecoregion is flat to gently rolling, and lakes are very abundant. Drumlins and eskers are common types of landforms. Elevation ranges from 330 m to over 500 m, with isolated rugged hills rising approximatley 150 m above the general surface. Permafrost occurs in isolated areas, primarily in wetlands. Caribou, moose, small mammals, waterfowl, and other birds can be found in this ecoregion. Land use activities include hunting, trapping, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

©2002, Trevor Bell