Lower Welland River Characterization Report - Niagara Peninsula ...

Lower Welland River Study Area
Characterization Report
South Queen Victoria Park Bluff Old Growth extends from the Murray Hill Road cut, south along
the Niagara River Parkway to and including the Dufferin Islands Park. This bluff is also known as
the Queen Victoria Park Glacial Moraine Hill. According to the survey conducted by the Bert Miller
Nature Club, this bluff is not covered entirely by Original Old-growth Forest, but has the following
categories:
Secondary Old-growth Forest
Original Old Growth mixed with Secondary Old Growth
Second-Growth Mature Forest (sometimes with a scattering of Old-Growth individuals)
Second-Growth Young Forests, and
Non-native, scrubby invasive vegetation (Bert Miller Nature Club 2004).
According to the Old Growth Survey Report (2004), the forest categories alternate randomly with
no pattern as to what forest category will come next. This random pattern is partly due to the way
that invasive species may take hold and spread, or which large trees may topple and open up the
forest to invasion from non-native species. Highlights of the site survey include 2 Black Walnut
trees that are among the largest trees found during all the site surveys; the Dufferin Park Giant is
approximately 250 years old with a diameter of 61 inches, and another one with a diameter of 58
inches. In addition, several trees were identified at this site that were over 200 years old.
Wetlands
Wetlands are “among the most productive and biologically diverse habitats on the planet” (MNR
No Date). Wetlands provide numerous beneficial water quality and ecological functions in a
watershed, including naturally filtering water resources thereby improving water quality, act like
sponges by slowing the flow of water which reduces the impact of flooding and allows for
groundwater recharge, augments low flow by raising local water tables, which in turn contributes to
base flows of the watercourses, and also provides valuable social and educational resources. In
addition, “a high proportion of Ontario‟s fish and wildlife species inhabit wetlands during part of
their life cycle. Many of the species at risk of extinction in southern Ontario are highly dependent
on wetlands” (EC 2004).
The Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) is a science-based ranking system used by the
Ministry of Natural Resources to assess wetland functions and societal values. Wetlands are
evaluated and assigned a status of „provincially significant‟ or „non-provincially significant‟. In the
Lower Welland River study area, approximately 15 percent of the study area is covered in wetland
habitat.
Wetlands can provide benefits anywhere in a watershed, but particular wetland functions can be
achieved by rehabilitating and/or establishing wetlands in key locations. For example, wetlands on
floodplains are ideal for flood attenuation, headwater areas for groundwater recharge and
discharge, and coastal areas for fish production. Special attention should be paid to historic
locations and site and soil conditions (EC 2004).
Upland Habitat: Woodland and Grasslands (Prairies and Meadows)
Environment Canada recommends that at least 30 percent of a watershed should be in forest
cover in order to support viable fish and wildlife populations. In the Lower Welland River study
area, approximately 21 percent of the study area is covered in upland habitat. The upland habitat
guidelines are designed to address habitat loss and fragmentation as two of the key factors in the
decline of wildlife species, given that the amount of forest cover in a watershed determines its
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