Central Welland River Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

CENTRAL WELLAND RIVER WATERSHED PLANGlossaryArea of Natural and Scientific Interest: Areas of land and water containing natural landscapes orfeatures that have been identified as having life science or earth science values related to protection,scientific study or education (Provincial Policy Statement 2005).Best Management Practice: A land management practice implemented to control sources or causesof pollution. The 3 types of Best Management Practices that treat, prevent, or reduce water pollutioninclude: structural, vegetative and managerial.Bioengineering: Combination of vegetative and structural practices to prevent erosion or stabilizeslopes or streambanksBiological Monitoring and Assessment Program: The use of benthic invertebrates as indicators ofwater quality.Carolinian Life Zone: Also known as the Eastern Deciduous Forest Region, the Carolinian Life Zonestretches across southwestern Ontario from Toronto to Grand Bend. It is estimated that approximatelyone third of Canada‟s rare and endangered species are found within this zone.Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: Is an independent body responsiblefor identifying species that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Their findings are reported to thefederal government who then determines which at-risk species qualify for protection under the SpeciesAt Risk Act (2003).Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario: The provincial review body implemented bythe Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: also an independent body made up of non-OMNRmembers.Critical Function Zone: A functional extension of the wetland into the upland area that provides anumber of functions for wetland-associated fauna that extend beyond the wetland boundary (e.g.nesting habitats, foraging areas).Dentrification: The process in which anaerobic bacteria convert nitrate ions into nitrogen gas.Ecological function: The natural processes, products, or services that living and non-livingenvironments provide or perform within or between species, ecosystems and landscapes. These mayinclude biological, physical and socio-economic interactions (Provincial Policy Statement 2005).Ecosystem services: The benefits that people obtain, either directly or indirectly, from our ecologicalsystems. These services can be understood in ecological terms and they can also be translated intoeconomic terms through valuation studies (MNR 2009c).Endangered Species: A species facing imminent extinction or extirpation in Ontario which has beenregulated under Ontario‟s Endangered Species Act (MNR No Date)Entrenched Channel: A channel that has eroded downward or was constructed suchthat it no longer has access to its original floodplain during moderate flow events.194