Fourteen species of tiger beetles occur in Ontario. At least three
additional species occur tantalizingly close, but have not yet been
recorded in the province. Both the Cobblestone Tiger Beetle (Cicindela
marginipennis) and the tiger beetle Cicindela ancocisconensis, occur
southwest of Buffalo in adjacent northwestern New York State, while
the
Red-bellied Tiger Beetle (Cicindela rufiventris) has been collected
immediately opposite Long Point, on the south shore of Lake Erie in
Erie
Co., Pennsylvania, and Ashtabula Co., Ohio (Graves and Brzoska, 1991).
Ten of Ontario's 14 species (Cicindela duodecimguttata, C.
formosa, C.
limbalis, C. longilabris, C. punctulata, C.
purpurea, C. repanda, C.
scutellaris, C. sexguttata, and C. tranquebarica)
are relatively widespread
and common in the province. However, four species (Cicindela denikei,
C.
hirticollis, C. lepida, and C. patruela) are considered
to be rare and are
tracked by the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). The rarest
of
these is Cicindela patruela, a globally rare (G3), northeastern
North
American species known in the province from two occurrences, only one
of
which is currently extant. Cicindela denikei, a near endemic
to Ontario,
has a highly restricted global distribution limited to northwestern
Ontario, extreme southeastern Manitoba, and three sites in northeastern
Minnesota, two of which may no longer be extant (Coffin and Pfannmuller,
1988). Cicindela lepida, the Little White or Spectral Tiger
Beetle (G4), is
known from fewer than 20 occurrences in the province, a number of which
are
historic or possibly extirpated.
Cicindela hirticollis, or Beach Dune Tiger Beetle as its name
suggests, is
a species of sandy beach and dune habitats along large rivers, lakes,
and
sea coasts. It is one of the most widespread tiger beetle species in
North
America, occurring throughout the U.S., on both the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, and from the Gulf of Mexico north into Canada as far as Lake
Athabasca (Graves et al., 1988). In view of its widespread distribution
and
general abundance, it has been assigned a global rank of G5. In the
northeast, including Ontario, it is represented by two subspecies,
C. h.
hirticollis and C. h. rhodensis. In Ontario, subspecies rhodensis is
purported to occur throughout southeastern Ontario, including the Ottawa
River and Lake Ontario, west through Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to
eastern
Lake Superior, with the nominate subspecies, hirticollis, occurring
along
the shore of Lake Erie and again in western Lake Superior (Graves et
al.,
1988).
Historically, the Beach Dune Tiger Beetle was reported to be common
along
the sandy shores of the Great Lakes and larger rivers in the Great
Lakes
basin. However, although reported to be 'very abundant' locally in
localities such as the Ottawa Valley (Goulet, 1983), it otherwise seems
never to have been a common species in Ontario (Wallis, 1961; Graves,
1964). Occurrence data assembled by the NHIC document occurrences at
only
17 sites in the province, with all but three of these last documented
extant more than 20 years ago (Figure 1). Concerted searches of many
of the
historic occurrences for C. hirticollis along the shores of
Lakes Ontario
and Erie have been unsuccessful, as have similar searches of historic
occurrences on the Bruce Peninsula (S.A. Marshall, pers. comm.) and
the
species seems to have disappeared from most previously documented sites.
Indeed, extant occurrences discovered by the NHIC in 1995 and 1999
were
sites where the species had not been reported to occur previously.
The cause of this apparent decline is not known, although destruction
of
beach habitat through excessive trampling by pedestrians and recreational
vehicle traffic is strongly suspected.
References:
Bousquet, Y. (ed.). 1991. Checklist of the Beetles of Canada and Alaska.
Publication 1861/E, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, ON.
vi +
430 pp.
Coffin, B. and L. Pfannmuller (eds.). 1988. Minnesota's Endangered
Flora
and Fauna. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. xv + 473
pp.
Goulet, H. 1983. Tiger Beetles of the Ottawa Valley. Trail & Landscape
17(1):15-23.
Graves, R.C. 1964. The distribution of tiger beetles in Ontario
(Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Proc. Ent. Soc. Ont. 95 (1964):63-70.
Graves, R.C. and D.W. Brzoska. 1991. The Tiger Beetles of Ohio (Coleoptera:
Cicindelidae). Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey 8(4): vi - 42.
Graves, R.C., M.E. Krejci, and A.C.F. Graves. 1988. Geographic variation
in
the North American tiger beetle, Cicindela hirticollis Say,
with a
description of five new subspecies (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Can.
Ent.
120:647-678.
Wallis, J.B. 1961. The Cicindelidae of Canada. University of Toronto
Press,
Toronto. 74 pp.
Following an initial visit to the lake on June 15th it was clear that
the
lake's flora was a good deal more interesting than anticipated and
that at
least another visit would be in order. After five visits and nearly
40
hours spent cataloguing the lake's plant life, it can be confidently
said
that Belmont Lake does indeed support a rich and interesting flora.
Over the course of the inventory visits were made to 40 different sites,
including all but a few of the lake's islands and a selection of mainland
sites, in order to capture the full range of diversity represented
in
Belmont Lake's varied habitats. At each site visited, a list was kept
of
the vascular plants, as well as any species of birds, mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, butterflies and dragonflies encountered. On two visits, MNR's
Senior Conservation Ecologist, Bill Crins, and the NHIC's Vegetation
Ecologist, Wasyl Bakowsky, provided valuable assistance both with the
documentation of the flora and the assessment of vegetation communities
While both the flora and fauna are more-or-less representative or typical
of lakes similarly situated along the southern edge of the Precambrian
or
Canadian Shield, Belmont Lake, by virtue of its position, straddling
the
'contact zone' between the granitic rocks of the shield and the
calcium-rich rocks of southern Ontario, supports an interesting assemblage
of plants, many of them less common or even rare. Of the 551 species
of
flowering plants encountered during this summer's inventory, four are
regarded as provincially rare (Oldham 1999a) and are currently tracked
by
the NHIC - Melic-leaved False Oat Grass (Trisetum melicoides),
Field Sedge
(Carex conoidea), Handsome Sedge (Carex formosa), and
Sharp-leaved
Goldenrod (Solidago arguta). A further 33 species are regarded
as rare in
Peterborough County (Oldham 1999b); of this latter group, at least
10
species appear to be entirely new to the county: Daisy-leaved Grape
Fern
(Botrychium matricariifolium), Creeping Juniper (Juniperus
horizontalis),
White-stemmed Pondweed (Potamogeton praelongus), Vasey's Pondweed
(Potamogeton vaseyi), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium),
Melic-leaved False Oat Grass, Field Sedge, Shining Ladies Tresses
(Spiranthes lucida), Alternate-flowered Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum
alterniflorum) and Rattlesnake-root (Prenanthes racemosa).
Yet another of the features of Belmont Lake's flora is the presence
of two
globally significant and provincially rare vegetation communities.
At
several points around the shore of the lake exist small areas of shallowly
sloping beds of limestone or marble supporting an association of plants
dominated by the prairie grasses, Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem and
Indian
Grass (Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium and
Sorghastrum
nutans), Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), Brown
Bog Sedge (Carex
buxbaumii), Kalm's Lobelia (Lobelia kalmii) and Sneezeweed
(Helenium
autumnale). These 'Limestone Bedrock Beach' communities are
best
represented elsewhere in the province along the upper Bruce Peninsula
and
on Manitoulin Island.
At a single site on the lake a remnant example of 'Dry Red Oak-Pine
Tallgrass Savannah' was found. This open woodland community, dominated
by
Red Oak, White Oak, White Pine and Red Pine, and with an understorey
dominated by Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, Bearberry (Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi) and Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus),
is a northern
expression of a more southern and provincially rare vegetation type.
Among the animal species found to occur at Belmont Lake during the course
of the survey, only the Red-shouldered Hawk is considered provincially
significant. Amphibian and reptile species, 13 in all, encountered
during
the course of botanical fieldwork include: Bull Frog, Green Frog, Northern
Leopard Frog, Wood Frog, Spring Peeper, Gray Tree Frog and Blue-spotted
Salamander; and Northern Water Snake, Eastern Garter Snake, Eastern
Ribbon
Snake, Northern Redbelly Snake, Smooth Green Snake and Midland Painted
Turtle.
A more complete account of the flora and fauna of Belmont Lake, including
a
complete list of the vascular plants, is currently in preparation and
will
be provided to the Belmont Lake Cottagers' Association to assist them
with
the stewardship of the significant natural heritage values of Belmont
Lake.
References:
Oldham, M.J. 1999a. Natural Heritage Resources of Ontario: Rare Vascular
Plants (Third Edition). Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. 56 pp.
Oldham, M.J. 1999b. Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Peterborough
County. Pp. 182-219, in P.S. Burke, C.D. Jones, J.M. Line, M.J. Oldham
and
P.J. Sorrill. 1998 Peterborough County Natural History Summary.
Peterborough Field Naturalists, Natural Heritage Information Centre,
and
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario. 219 pp.
This year the entire length of Rainy River was covered by boat to search
for additional prairie remnants and other significant features. These
explorations resulted in new locations for several provincially rare
plants, including Bicknell's Sedge (Carex bicknellii; G5 S2), Oval
Milkweed
(Asclepias ovalifolia; G3G5 S1), Long-toothed Lake Sedge (Carex
laeviconica; G4G5 S2), Wild Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota;
G5 S1) and
Large-fruited Oval Sedge (Carex praticola; G5 S2). Green-faced
Clubtail
(Gomphus viridifrons; G3 S1), a globally rare dragonfly known
previously in
Ontario only from a 1925 Middlesex County record, was found at two
sites on
Rainy River.
A variety of significant vegetation communities were documented along
the
river shoreline. Although most of the vegetation along the river has
been
cleared for agriculture, a number of significant Bur Oak (Quercus
macrocarpa) woodlands with herb-rich understories were located
in some of
the remaining natural areas. This vegetation is developed along short
river
bluffs which occasionally rise from the low-lying tablelands along
the
river, on silty soils. Also documented were some mature Silver maple
(Acer
saccharinum) and mixed Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
- Red Maple (Acer
saccharinum) swamps. These were found along floodplains, particularly
in
the vicinity of large streams which empty into Rainy Lake, or in sloughs
found in islands along the river. Results of the Rainy River inventory
work have been communicated to the
Manitou Rapids First Nation and the local Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources (MNR) office.
Explorations in the southern part of Rainy Lake were conducted to see
whether some of the interesting prairie species documented recently
on Lake
of the Woods were also present further east at Rainy Lake. With assistance
from Dale and Phyllis Callaghan of the Rainy Lake Conservancy and Darryl
McLeod of the Fort Francis MNR office several peninsulas and islands
were
investigated. Some of the dry, open, rocky shorelines on Rainy Lake
were
indeed vegetationally and floristically similar to those on Lake of
the
Woods. Many of the same rare plant species known from Lake of the Woods
were also found on Rainy Lake, including Inland Rush (Juncus interior;
G4G5
S3), Sand-heather (Hudsonia tomentosa; G5 S2S3), Western Woodsia
(Woodsia
oregana; G5 S3), Rough Sand Sedge (Cyperus schweinitzii;
G5 S3), Little
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia fragilis; G4G5 S2), Prairie Spikemoss
(aSelaginella densa; G5 S2), Prairie Onion (Allium stellatum;
G5 S3),
Long-scaled Tussock Sedge (Carex haydenii; G5 S2), Leiberg's
Panic Grass
(Panicum leibergii; G5 S2) and Leonard's Small Skullcap (Scutellaria
parvula var. leonardii; G4T4 S2). The last five species
are documented for
the first time on Rainy Lake. Hill's Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis)
is the
only provincially rare plant found on Rainy Lake which is not also
known on
Lake of the Woods. The globally restricted (known only from Ontario,
Manitoba, and Minnesota) and provincially rare tiger beetle, Cicindela
denikei (G4 S3?) was found at several sites on Rainy Lake, an
extension of
its known range in northwestern Ontario.
We would like to thank Jennifer Mercer, Dale and Phyllis Callaghan,
and
Darryl McLeod for assistance during our fieldwork.
In support of the project, two technical committee meetings have been
held
to refine the methodology for determining the core areas (the latest
hosted
by World Wildlife Fund). Another is planned for late December/ early
January. Work has begun on the 'corridors' between the cores, which
along
with outputs from the project, will be completed by Jason by February
2000.
Updates on the project can be obtained at www.carolinian.org on the
internet.
The programme consisted of seven sections, including the Conservation
of
Terrestrial Biological Communities (IBP/CT). The purpose of IBP/CT
was to
collect and to assess data on areas of importance for the conservation
of
biological diversity and natural resources. This information could
then be
used to examine both the adequacy of existing protected area systems
and
the need to protect additional areas. The information could also be
used to
determine what plant communities (sensu Fosberg in Peterken 1967) were
represented in protected areas.
The IBP/CT section formed a cooperative effort with the International
Union
for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), recognizing
their similar objectives. Across Canada, 1651 areas were surveyed and
documented (McLaren and Petersen 1975). In Ontario, 590 sites were
evaluated between 1968-1973. This programme, which was the first large
scale methodical survey of natural areas in Ontario, has catalyzed
further
survey efforts of ecological areas in the intervening 25 year period.
Currently, Tom Beechey (Senior Conservation Biologist, Ontario Parks)
and
Dr. Bruce Falls (former Co-chair of the Ontario IBP/CT Panel) are
finalizing a catalogue of IBP areas in Ontario to include a retrospective
assessment of the programme. Kate Taillon, a summer student for Ontario
Parks, worked on this project using the NHIC's Natural Areas Database
(NADb). Helen Godschalk, a Natural Areas Technician at the NHIC, has
also
been entering much of the data from the standardized IBP check-sheets.
The
vegetation summaries will be extracted from the NADb to summarize the
plant
community coverage by site region. The NHIC will also contribute by
conducting a GIS analysis to assess the current conservation status
of all
IBP sites in Ontario.
This project will result in the completion of data entry for all IBP
sites
in the NADb as well as ensure that a complete set of check-sheets is
accessioned into the NHIC manual files. Another product of this joint
project will be the publication of the provincial IBP catalogue. The
vegetation and species data of the IBP, now 40 years old, may also
provide
base-line information for ecological monitoring at the sites. This
project
also will help to identify further areas for protection under various
land
use planning efforts, and land securement initiatives such as 'Ontario
Parks Legacy 2000', a partnership between Ontario Parks and The Nature
Conservancy of Canada aimed at establishing new Provincial Nature Reserves.
References
McLaren, I.A. and E.B. Petersen. 1975. Ecological Reserves in Canada:
The
Work of IBP-CT. Nature Canada 4(2):22-32.
Peterken, G.F. (compiler). 1967. Guide to the CheckSheet for IBP Areas.
IBP
Handbook No. 4, International Biological Programme, Conservation of
Terrestrial Biological Communities, London, England.
The MNR manages its geographic databases through the geographical
information system NRVIS in an attempt to standardize the collection
and
maintenance of natural resource and natural heritage information. This
system enables both geographic data (such as an object's location)
and its
corresponding attribute information (the object's properties and
descriptive information) to be collected and maintained in one location,
which can then be used by clients such as the MNR districts.
Many tables within NRVIS have not been populated with natural heritage
information. This has created an opportunity for the NHIC to populate
these
empty NRVIS fields with the extensive wetland information that has
been
entered into the NADb. NHIC's contract staff Bonnie Bannerman and Kara
Brodribb, with the assistance of Pete Sorrill, are working on the pilot
project for Aylmer and Aurora districts which includes a spatial comparison
of NHIC wetland centroids and NRVIS wetland polygons that have been
digitized by the district offices. Once the NHIC wetlands have been
matched
with the appropriate NRVIS wetlands, attribute information such as
vegetation communities and significant species data from the NADb can
be
either linked or integrated into NRVIS tables.
This integration or data transfer will allow MNR field offices to spatially
query wetland regions in their area and digitally retrieve natural
heritage
information assigned to a specific area. It will also further encourage
a
system for maintaining and updating wetland data between the NHIC and
the
MNR field office staff. The public has the opportunity to access some
of
the wetland information entered in the NADb through the NHIC web page.
Natural Area Reports can be accessed through the Geographic Query,
or by
querying a wetland from a list of natural areas arranged by topographical
map number.
Original Extent
The Township of Paipoonge was first surveyed in 1860 by T.W. Herrick,
Provincial Land Surveyor (Figure 1). He was charged with laying out
the
cadastral fabric, including township boundary, lots, concessions and
road
allowances. He described and accurately mapped vegetation types along
his
walked lines using chains (66 ft) and links (1/100th of a chain) as
the
units of measure. This attention to detail allows one to reconstruct
and
map the original distribution and extent of particular vegetation types
within the framework of lots and concessions.
Most of the survey for Paipoonge Township showed typical vegetation
for the
area: including mixed coniferous and deciduous upland forests, wet
coniferous and deciduous swamps, coniferous peatlands, and alder thickets.
Along broad floodplains of the Kaministiquia River, extensive riparian
swamps with rich soils were dominated by large elm.
However, in the areas north and west of Stanley, the following descriptions
appear: 'rolling sandy plain no bush', 'no timber sandy soil', 'rolling
land soil sandy loam no bush', and 'rolling land sandy loam soil no
bush or
trees'.
These sandy areas were often extensive, and interrupted only by steep
ravines and wetlands (Figure 1). When these open sandy areas are overlain
onto a topographic map, they largely coincide with the level sandy
tablelands in this area, and are only interrupted by low-lying wetlands
and
steep ravines. They are glaciofluvial outwash deposits of gravel, overlain
by coarse to medium sand (Zoltai, 1963).
Fire was a frequent ecological process in the maintenance of this local
landscape. Some descriptions for areas adjacent to the open sandy areas
include: 'burnt poplar spruce balsam and birch loamy soil', 'sandy
hills
burnt red and pitch pine' (pitch pine is incorrectly used for jack
pine),
'hills of sand burnt pitch pine', and 'burnt timber p. pine and poplar
good
soils'. Along with burnt areas, there were also intermediate open areas
regenerating with trees: 'undulating sandy soil grown up with young
pine'.
The rolling sandy plains in the vicinity of Stanley provided ideal habitat
for fire to develop and spread. It appears that the Stanley area was
so
frequently burned that in extensive areas forests were actually absent,
replaced by a more fire-tolerant grassland. Depending on local variation
in
topography and moisture, there existed a mosaic of open grassland,
dry pine
forest, burnt forest, and areas of grassland regenerating into forest.
The interpretation of the original survey notes reveals areas of open
sandy
grassland, interrupted by ravines and low-lying wetlands which would
have
halted the progress of fire. The estimated extent of grassland vegetation
during the time of the
original survey is shown in Figure 2. It is estimated at just over
16 km2.
Vegetation Description and Composition
The composition of the original grassland vegetation needs to be inferred
from the existing grassland remnants in the area, since there are no
details about this vegetation other than the dominant tree species
and
general soil comments. Remnants of the pre-European settlement vegetation
are currently known from a variety of sites, including the vicinity
of
Stanley Cemetery, and south and east of Kakabeka Falls. They include
open
grasslands with various levels of disturbance, grasslands with scattered
Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), and open shrubby woodlands dominated
by Bur
Oak (Quercus macrocarpa). A total of 140 vascular plant species
have been
recorded from these open habitats. Of these, 120 (85%) are considered
to be
native species. Of these native species, 14 (11.6%) are provincially
rare
(Table 1). Within the context of the local landscape and its
boreal-dominated vegetation, these grassland and woodland remnants
represent a significant concentration of biodiversity and rare species
in
the region.
The richest grassland area first described in the Fall 1995 NHIC
newsletter, in the vicinity of Highways 17 and 588, has since turned
up
additional rare species typical of Fescue Grassland. These are Western
Wheatgrass (Elymus smithii) and Rocky Mountain Spike-moss (Selaginella
densa). Other western prairie species present include Small-flowered
Prairie Rocket (Erysimum inconspicuum) and Collomia (Collomia
linearis).
Another species historically known from this general area, Junegrass
(Koeleria macrantha), was also rediscovered. This species had
been
collected by D.R. Lindsay in 1957 from a 'dry prairie remnant, Port
Arthur', but the precise location was never known to living botanists.
Port
Arthur was the name of one of the former Twin Cities of this area,
the
other city being Fort William, which were amalgamated into Thunder
Bay in
1970. Mr. Lindsay, being from Port Arthur, gave the locality of a place
which would be on a map, instead of the local place name of Stanley.
A
small clump of this species was discovered along a section of the road
allowance of Highway 17 in the vicinity of the Stanley Cemetary.
There is an additional old record of a provincially rare prairie species
from the Stanley area. Both R. Sparling (1951) and Mr. Lindsay (1957)
collected the only native Ontario record of the western variety of
Rigid
Goldenrod (Solidago rigida ssp. humilus), from a 'disturbed
relic prairie'.
To date, this plant has not been rediscovered.
Another large grassland remnant (30 ha) has also been discovered further
to
the northwest of Stanley. Here, an extensive former pasture supports
prairie species, including a number of provincially rare species. There
is
a small treed area with more undisturbed vegetation, which also includes
significant species. Some of the rare species present at this site
include
Hall's Fescue (Festuca hallii), Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum
canescens),
Wild Heliotrope (Phacelia franklinii) and Flodman's Thistle
(Cirsium
flodmanii). Additionally, the largest populations of Drummond's
Thistle
(Cirsium drummondii) and Smooth Fleabane (Erigeron glabellus)
in Ontario
are present here.
Many of these species also occur in Bur Oak woodlands as well. An exciting
discovery was an extensive area (30 ha) of Bur Oak Woodland, located
between Highway 17 and the Kaministiquia River. The woodlands are
characterized by the presence of scattered open-grown Bur Oak, along
with
boreal species such as Jack Pine, White Spruce (Picea glauca),
and
Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides). The numerous openings
within the
woodlands are mostly dominated by a continuous shrub layer of Downy
Arrow-wood (Viburnum rafinesquianum), Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla
lonicera), and Saskatoon Berry (Amelanchier spp.).
These woodlands were formerly kept more open by fires which would sweep
through the area and set back the growth of woody species, favouring
more
fire-tolerant herbaceous species. The Bur Oak trees survive the fires,
as
they have a thick corky bark which protects them. Evidence that these
areas
were more open is reflected in the continued presence of some species
of
open habitats, which persist here in low numbers or in shaded form
(tall
and spindly). In particular, scattered single culms of Canada Wild-rye
(Elymus canadensis) occur throughout the woodland. This solitary
condition,
in marked contrast to the usual clump form, clearly indicates the effects
of recent shading; at some point in the future this species can be
expected
to decline even further. Other sun-loving species present in the woodland
include Hall's Fescue, Pinweed (Lechea intermedia), Prairie
Cinquefoil
(Potentilla arguta), Sand Cherry (Prunus pumila), Richardson's
Sedge (Carex
richardsonii) and Hoary Puccoon. The Pinweed from this location
is the
first record for Thunder Bay District (A. Harris, pers. comm.).
Another smaller site was discovered in the vicinity of the Kakabeka
Legion.
Here, provincially rare species such as Wild Heliotrope, Hall's Fescue
and
Drummond's Thistle were found in an area of mowed Jack Pine forest,
and
adjacent logged Jack Pine plantation. Other species with prairie affinities
include Bur Oak, Hay Sedge (Carex siccata), Richardson's Sedge,
Seneca
Snakeroot (Polygala senega), and Canada Wild-rye.
Management
The open grassland and woodland remnants in the vicinity of Stanley
are not
currently managed to enhance their natural heritage values. They survive
for a variety of reasons, including occasional mowing and light pasturing.
However, many areas which were even recently more open (e.g. late 1970's,
according to aerial photographs) are rapidly succeeding into closed-canopy
boreal forest dominated by Jack Pine and other species, or else are
being
overrun with shrubs.
Some form of vegetation management, including mechanical cutting and
controlled burning, is needed to restore and enhance the remnants of
this
unique ecosystem that has almost disappeared from the landscape of
northwestern Ontario.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Tracy Howlett for producing the digital
map
showing original extent of fescue grassland vegetation.
References:
Bakowsky, W. 1995. Rare Communities of Ontario: Western Grassland and
Oak
Woodland Relicts of Northwestern Ontario. NHIC Newsletter 2(3):2-4.
Harris, A. Personal communication, significance of Lechea intermedia,
new
to Thunder Bay District.
Herrick, T.W. 1860. Field Note Book 1572, Survey of the Township of
Paipoonge.
Zoltai, S.C. 1963. Glacial features of the Canadian Lakehead Area.
Canadian
Geographer 7(3):101-115.
Using money from NAFEC, and also funds from the home branch of the NHIC
(Natural Resources Information Branch), consultants were hired to conduct
biological inventories for priority species and natural communities
in the
Ontario portion of the study area (Site District 4W-2).
The consultants (Al Harris of Northern Bioscience and Jennifer Line)
evaluated occurrences of rare community types, including cliffs, prairies
and oak savannahs, Lake Superior shoreline communities, and populations
of
arctic-alpine disjunct species. Rare species work included locating
and
compiling information on the globally rare Ram's Head Lady's Slipper
(Cypripedium arietinum), and provincially rare species such
as Stemless
Locoweed (Oxytropis viscida var. viscida), Alpine Woodsia
(Woodsia alpina),
and Fir Clubmoss (aHuperzia appalachiana). The NHIC also provided
in-kind
services toward the project, with NHIC staff Don Sutherland, Michael
Oldham
and Wasyl Bakowsky conducting fieldwork as part of the study. Susan
Bryan,
of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, volunteered over a week of field
time
as well, and was responsible for many of the rare species found this
summer. Other people contributing fieldwork included Rob Foster (Northern
Bioscience), Erika North (Lakehead University), Mike Jones, Gerry Racey
and
Myra McCormick (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources), Chel Anderson
(Minnesota County Biological Survey), and Nick Escott (Thunder Bay
Field
Naturalists).
The results of these surveys were used to supplement existing information
on biologically significant sites in Site District 4W-2, in order to
identify and highlight sites of high biodiversity. These sites represent
targets for conservation planning, and were used in the fall for a
site
conservation planning workshop.
The rare species and significant vegetation information collected by
the
consultants was provided in digital form to the NHIC, and this will
be
incorporated into the NHIC's central conservation database.
The second phase of this project involved members of the local community.
A
Site Conservation Planning workshop was held in Thunder Bay, on September
27-28, 1999. Local members of the community involved in conservation
activities were invited to attend. A total of 19 local participants
attended the workshop, which was facilitated by Rob Sutter and Heather
Potter, from The Nature Conservancy (US). Jarmo Jalava and Wasyl Bakowsky
attended on behalf of the NHIC. Partici-pants included local environmental
planners from the City of Thunder Bay, OMNR and Parks Canada, local
naturalists, environmentalists, academics, and members of the Rainy
River
First Nation.
The workshop presented participants with a case study for a local area,
with the necessary information and materials to work through the site
conservation planning framework developed by The Nature Conservancy.
In
brief, this process integrates traditional nature preserve design and
land
acquisition techniques with newer conservation biology and ecosystem
management concepts. The site conservation planning methodology also
addresses the social and economic concerns of the community. The result
is
a single framework which is dynamic, and works at any scale (Poiani
et
al.
1998).
For this process to work, an interdisciplinary team approach is
recommended, which includes scientists, planners, and implementers.
Team
members must consider numerous questions, the answers to which form
the
components of the conservation plan.
Through the two days, Rob Sutter and Heather Potter guided the participants
through the various questions and options, and provided the participants
with a first-hand view of how this process works.
NAFEC has provided $15,000 to the local community to undertake site
conservation planning. Following the meeting, participants were asked
to
submit proposals for local site conservation planning activities to
the
NHIC. One or more of the best proposals will receive the funding to
carry
out this work.
References:
Poiani, K.A., J.V. Baumgartner, S.C. Buttrick, S.L. Green, E. Hopkins,
G.D.
Ivey, K.P. Seaton and R.D. Sutter. 1998. A scale-independent, site
conservation planning framework in The Nature Conservancy. Landscape
and
Urban Planning 43:143-156.
In a Rainy River District conifer swamp, Rob Foster and Al Harris of
Northern Bioscience rediscovered Swamp Saxifrage (Saxifraga pensylvanica;
G5 S1), a species which had not been seen in the province since 1961.
This
population was discovered during a rare plant survey commissioned by
Darren
Elder and John Van den Broeck of MNR's Fort Francis District. The survey
was conducted prior to forest management activity on Crown Land and
a
buffer zone was created around the Swamp Saxifrage and other rare plant
populations to provide protection during timber harvesting.
Another exciting rediscovery was made by Karen Cedar who found Tall
Green
Milkweed (Asclepias hirtella; G5 S1) at Ojibway Prairie Provincial
Nature
Reserve (PNR). This species has not been seen in the province since
1983
when 3 plants were seen at a different location within the Ojibway
Prairie
PNR.
At Lighthouse Point PNR on Pelee Island, Mike Oldham rediscovered Scarlet
Ammannia (Ammannia robusta; G5 S1), a species recently designated
as
Endangered in Canada. It was last seen at Lighthouse Point in 1988.
Low
Lake Erie waterlevels in 1999 provided abundant habitat for this species
of
damp shores.
The province's second locality for the globally rare Virginia Mallow
(Sida
hermaphrodita; G2 S1) was found in Niagara Regional Municipality
(RM) by
Dan Kraus and Ken Ursic. The previous Ontario record is from Taquanyah
Conservation Area in Haldimand-Norfolk RM. Also in Niagara RM, Helen
Macdonald of the Niagara Falls Nature Club confirmed the presence of
the
nationally Threatened White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus; G5
S1) at Short
Hills Provincial Park and at Niagara Shores, and Mary Gartshore discovered
a new population at Marcy Woods, Point Abino.
In Peterborough County, Don Sutherland and Mike Oldham found the introduced
aquatic species Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana; G5 SE1) to be
locally common
in Kasshabog Lake. This plant was first found here about a decade ago
by
Rosita Ben-Oliel, but it appears to have spread and increased in abundance
since then. A search of nearby lakes in the Kawartha Lakes area did
not
reveal any additional infestations of this common aquarium plant. Because
Fanwort is an aggressive aquatic weed in other parts of North America,
NHIC
staff collaborated with other OMNR biologists and the Ontario Federation
of
Anglers and Hunters to put out a press release and fact sheet about
the
potential threat to our native biota of this and other invasive exotic
aquatic species (see http://magi.com/~ehaber/cabomba.html).
Another interesting discovery was made by George Bryant and Helen Juhola
who found Seaside Plantain (Plantago maritima; G5 S4) growing
along Hwy. 17
in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Although this halophytic (salt-loving)
species has a circumpolar global distribution, in Ontario it was previously
known only from the shores of Hudson and James Bays, and is apparently
not
known anywhere else in the Great Lakes basin. The fact that the Seaside
Plantain population was growing in disturbed gravel along a major highway
and not in adjacent natural habitat suggests a non-native population.
Not
realizing the significance of their find, George and Helen did not
collect
a voucher specimen, however Steve Newmaster of the Ontario Forest Research
Institute was able to relocate the population and collect voucher material.
A number of other coastal halophytes have spread inland along major
highways which are salted in winter.
For additional 1999 plant highlights see the Rainy River/Rainy Lake
article
elsewhere in this newsletter.
Our thanks to the following individuals for providing 1999 information
on rare plant records or otherwise assisting
with botanical activities at the NHIC: Paul Ashley, Madeline Austen,
Peter
Ball, Kellie Bonnici, Dave Bradley, Matt Brock, Dan Brunton, Sue Bryan,
George Bryant, Dale and Phyllis Callaghan, Paul Catling, Karen Cedar,
Bill
Crins, Don Cuddy, Allison Cusick, Rob Eberly, Todd Farrell, Rob Foster,
Jean Gagnon, Mary Gartshore, Bob Goldenberg, Jim Goltz, Clive Goodwin,
Erich Haber, Al Harris, Dora Hunter, Judith Jones, Helen Juhola, Dan
Kraus,
Dale Leadbeater, Jennifer Line, Helen Macdonald, Virgil Martin, Darryl
McLeod, Susan Meades, Jennifer Mercer, Ed Morris, Steve Newmaster,
Todd
Norris, Paul Pratt, James Quelch, Tony Reznicek, Jeff Robinson, Doug
Sadler, Mirek Sharp, Tyler Smith, Elaine Stewart, Jessica Swain, Tim
Tully,
Ken Ursic, John Van den Broeck, Herb Wagner, Mark Widrlechner and Al
Woodliffe.
Last year, Patrick produced original vegetation maps on paper for 48
complete townships. He also mapped 8 townships in part, although
information was lacking for some portions of these townships.
Results of the national ranking project suggest that 36% of Canadian
amphibian and reptile species (33 of 92) are of national conservation
concern (N1, N2, N3, NH, or NX), while 55% (51 species) are nationally
secure (N4 or N5). The remaining species are accidental or exotic.
Similar
national ranking initiatives are now underway for Canadian mammals
and
birds by Rob Alvo in collaboration with TNC, Environment Canada, Canadian
Forest Service, Parks Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Canadian
data
centre zoologists.
Data, which constitute either entirely new EOs or EO updates, are being
received by the NHIC on a continual basis through such programs as:
Ontario
Birds At Risk, a cooperative program of Bird Studies Canada and the
Federation of Ontario Naturalists; the preparation of status reports
and
status updates for both COSEWIC and COSSARO; the recovery activities
on-going for several species under RENEW; inventories conducted by
the
Royal Ontario Museum's Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
with funding assistance from MNR; both solicited and unsolicited
contributions by MNR district ecologists and biologists; searches of
both
the published literature and institutional specimen collections; and
field
inventories by NHIC personnel.
A substantial increase in the number of animal EOs has occurred recently,
due to the data-loading initiatives sponsored by the development of
the
Natural Resources Values and Information System (NRVIS) and the associated
efforts of Matt Holder, Dawn Burke, and Michelle Ness. Further significant
increases in the number of EOs will result from the automated data
compilation and retrieval capabilities of NRVIS; the continual increase
in
the number of tracked invertebrate taxa; the conversion of existing
digital
databases such as the 'Ontario Odonata Atlas'; and on-going compilation
of
occurrence information for both standard and 'non-standard' EOs, such
as
colonial waterbird sites, waterfowl and shorebird migration concentration
sites, and bat hibernacula.
Dragonfly and damselfly records from 1999 (or previous years) can be
submitted to the NHIC for incorporation into the annual summary or
submitted directly to the provincial compiler, Paul Catling (2326 Scrivens
Drive, RR 3 Metcalfe, Ontario K0A 2P0; 613-821-2064;
brownell@achilles.net). For further information contact Don Sutherland
at
the NHIC or Paul Catling. For people interested in learning more about
this
fascinating group of insects, several recently published or reprinted
books
are highlighted in the 'Publication Announcements' section of this
newsletter.
To jumpstart its conservation agenda for the new millennium, the Canadian
Council on Ecological Areas (CCEA) staged its Millennium Conference
--ECOGIFTS 2000-- October 3-6 1999, in Ottawa. Built on the theme Canadian
Achievements and Challenges, the conference celebrated the many successes
achieved for parks and protected areas in the past century as a prelude
to
contemplating the many new challenges that lie ahead. Framed by three
plenary keynotes dealing with the 'past' (Jim Collinson), the 'present'
(Ron Vrancart) and the 'future' (George Francis), five technical sessions
(with their convenors) reported milestone achievements for the following
areas: prairies (David Gauthier), arctic (Bas Oosenbrug), forested
regions
(Judy Loo), marine environments (Helen Joseph) and international settings
(Ed Wiken) respectively, with a sixth session devoted to information
(Ian
Marshall). Nine challenge sessions (with their convenors) confronted
the
following areas: endangered ecosystems (George Francis), southern remnants
(Tom Beechey, John Riley), stewardship (Greg Thompson), taxation (Clayton
Rubec), ecosystem management and integrity (Bill Smith), research and
monitoring (Adam Fenech), indicators and reporting (Hague Vaughan),
and
protected areas and wildlife conservation (Caroline Caza). The conference
concluded with an inspirational talk by Kevin McNamee, highlighting
past
achievements with an agenda to confront future challenges. Altogether,
the
conference featured more than 70 speakers offering current insights
on
Canadian progress and priority needs for parks and protected areas.
In addition to the core conference, the meeting also provided a venue
for
CCEA's 1999 annual general meeting, two technical post-conference
workshops, and several field trips. The Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Network (EMAN) Workshop provided delegates an opportunity
to
scrutinize and discuss ongoing work to define and test core monitoring
variables being developed through the EMAN Coordinating Office at CCIW
(Canada Centre for Inland Waters) in Burlington. The session built
on
earlier reviews of the initial iteration of core variables to standardize
monitoring efforts on EMAN sites across Canada (initially developed
by
Geomatics International, and now involving North-South Environmental
Inc.),
as presented at the EMAN National Science Meeting in Victoria, January,
1999. The Canadian Conservation Areas Database (CCAD) Workshop provided
for
presentation and feedback on ongoing efforts of CCEA and Geomatics
Canada
to refine and expand this important protected areas database for
documenting, analyzing and reporting on Canada's protected areas. The
success of these workshops in bringing together protected area
practitioners with specific client groups and experts across Canada
highlights the important role that CCEA plays in facilitating policy
and
programme developent and information transfer. Field trips offered
with the
conference included the Burnt Lands Alvar, the Alfred Bog/Larose Forest
(Don Cuddy) and Gatineau Park (Isabelle Beaubin-Roy).
The conference banquet featured the granting of personal CCEA Gold Leaf
Awards to the following recipients: George Francis, Paul Maycock Cliff
Drysdale, David Fowle (in absentia) and Kevin McNamee, and three
institutional awards to: The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Kejimikujik
National Park and the Department of National DefenseÑall awarded
to
recognize outstanding contributions to conserving protected areas.
While
celebrating such individual contributions as the force behind a century
of
progress and achievements, ECOGIFTS 2000 also recognized remaining
shortfalls in our collective efforts to fully conserve Canada's ecological
areas and diverse natural heritage. As an initial outcome to address
these
needs, CCEA is preparing a special book entitled Canada's Conservation
Legacy that will be an important reference work for conservation and
protected areas at the start of the new millennium. This book will
feature
summaries of the conference sessions offering global commentary on
issues,
challenges and solutions for Canadian conservation and protected areas.
Enquiries about this project can be directed to Ed Wiken, CCEA Chair,
at:
ecologic@istar.ca, or for further information on CCEA, visit the Council's
website at http://www.cprc.uregina.ca/ccea/
EXTIRPATED
Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus; G3 SX)
ENDANGERED
Barn Owl (Tyto alba; G5 S1)
Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii; G1 SHB,SZN)
Rayed Bean (Villosa fabalis; G1G2 S1)
Wavy-rayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola; G4 S1)
Northern Riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana; G2T2 S1)
Gattinger's Agalinis (Agalinis gattingeri; G4 S2)
Skinner's Agalinis (Agalinis skinneriana; G3 S1)
Scarlet Ammannia (Ammannia robusta; G5 S1)
Slender Bush Clover (Lespedeza virginica; G5 S1)
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium; G4 S3)
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa var. rigidiuscula;
G5T4 S1)
Small White Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum; G4 S1)
Red Mulberrry (Morus rubra; G5 S2)
Nodding Pogonia (Triphora trianthophora; G4 S1)
Juniper Sedge (Carex juniperorum; G2 S1)
Pitcher's Thistle (Cirsium pitcheri; G3 S2)
Toothcup (Rotala ramosior; G5 S1)
Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata; G5 S2)
Purple Twayblade (Liparis liliifolia; G5 S2)
THREATENED
Anatum Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum; G4T3 S2S3B,SZN)
Fowler's Toad (Bufo fowleri; G5 S2)
Eastern Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina gloydi; G5T3 S3)
Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata; G5 S2)
VULNERABLE
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus; G4 S3)
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis; G5 S3)
Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis; G4 S4)
ButlerÕs Garter Snake (Thamnophis butleri; G4 S2)
Bridle Shiner (Notropis bifrenatus; G5 S2)
Crooked-stemmed Aster (Aster prenanthoides; G4G5 S2)
Willow Aster (Aster prenanthoides; G5 S2)
Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii; G5 S3)
Indian Plantain (Cacalia plantaginea; G4G5 S3)
NOT AT RISK
American Black Bear (Ursus americanus; G5 S5)
Gray Wolf (Canis lupus occidentalis; G4T? S4 as a species)
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia; G5 S3)
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor; G5 S3S4)
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens (Eastern population); G5
S5)
Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris; G5 S4)
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum; G5 S4)
Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus; G5 S1)
Short's Aster (Aster shortii; G5 S3)
INDETERMINATE
Gray Wolf (Canis lupus lycaon; G4T? S4 as a species)
NHIC staff authored or co-authored status reports on six species designated
by COSEWIC in 1999.
Every 5 years, starting in the year 2000, the Canadian government
will
produce a report on the 'General Status of Canada's Wildlife'. In signing
the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, provincial,
territorial and federal Ministers responsible for wildlife committed
themselves to prevent species in Canada from becoming extinct as a
consequence of human activity. In order to evaluate periodically the
general status of all Canadian species, each province and territory
will
assess the status of a species or species groups to identify those
that may
be in trouble, require special attention or protection, require additional
information, or need formal risk assessment. As part of Ontario's
commitment to this process, the NHIC is working with biologists from
MNR's
Natural Heritage Branch to prepare a report on the 'General Status
of
Ontario Wildlife'. Botanist Rosita Ben-Oliel and zoologist Colin Jones
have
been hired on contract to work with the NHIC on assigning Ontario wildlife
species to various risk categories. This information will be forwarded
to
the Federal government for incorporation into Canada's report on the
general status of wildlife. Through this process we should be better
able
to monitor periodically the status of animals and plants in Ontario
and
throughout the country.
This new field guide illustrates in colour over 600 species of Ontario
mushrooms. The 875 colour photographs are generally excellent and along
with several simple keys will greatly assist the reader to identify
these
interesting fungi. Copies can be purchased at many Ontario bookstores.
Beechey, T.J., G.R. Francis, and D.M. Powell. (eds). 1999. Caring for
Southern Remnants: Special Species, Special Spaces. Conference Proceedings,
12th Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas,
August 10-15, 1993, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Millennium Edition. Canadian
Council on Ecological Areas, Ottawa, Canada. xvi + 305 pp., illus.
$20.00.
This publication has been issued as a special Millennium Edition of
the
earlier compilation first available as an open file report through
the CCEA
Secretariat in 1995. This special edition has been issued by CCEA,
in
connection with its millennium conference-ECOGIFTS 2000. This volume
presents a compendium of 42 technical papers and presentations which
provide a nice cross-section of readings reporting on a wide range
of
theoretical and applied aspects of conservation science, area securement
and ecosystem management pertaining to protected areas and biodiversity
conservation in remnant ecological areas and fragmented landscapes.
The
main topics of the proceedings are protected areas and biodiversity,
copying with ecological representation, exploring protection mechanisms,
and ecological integrity and managemtn. (A full table of contents is
available on CCEA's website: http://www.cprc.uregina.ca/ccea/) Altogether,
the 42 papers draw in experiences from the eastern, central, prairie
and
western regions of Canada. This topical scope has been enhanced with
commissioned artwork of Canadian ecosystems and species at risk, featuring
engravings by Alejandro Rabazo and pen and ink renderings by Askin
Gohkan,
making it both an attractive commemorative edition and a valuable
reference. The report is available with pre-payment by cheque or money
order payable to the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas. Orders with
pre-payment are to be sent to: CCEA Secretariat, c/o Environment Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3.
Bruce-Grey Plant Committee. 1999. A Guide to the Ferns of Grey and Bruce
Counties, Ontario. Stan Brown Printers Limited, Owen Sound, Ontario.
119
pp.
In 1997 The Bruce-Grey Plant Committee of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists
published 'A Guide to the Orchids of Bruce and Grey Counties, Ontario'
and
'A Checklist of Vascular Plants for Bruce and Grey Counties, Ontario,
2nd
Edition'. The Bruce-Grey fern guide is similar in format to the orchid
guide and covers the 50 fern species known from the two counties (fern
allies are not included). A nice feature of the fern guide, not included
in
the orchid publication, is dot mapping by township of all species.
Anyone
with an interest in Ontario ferns or the flora of the Bruce Peninsula
area
will want a copy of this guide. Copies are available from the Owen
Sound
Field Naturalists, Box 401, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 5P7.
Johnson, B., and M. Wright (eds). 1999. Second International Symposium
and
Workshop on the Conservation of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake,
Sistrurus catenatus catenatus: Population and Habitat Management Issues
in
Urban, Bog, Prairie and Forested Ecosystems. Toronto Zoo, Scarborough,
Ontario.
The proceedings of this conference held in the fall of 1998 will be
of
interest to anyone with an interest in Massasauga Rattlesnakes or snake
conservation in general. The 23 papers are divided among sections covering
Conservation and Recovery, Genetic and Disease Management of Small
Populations, Habitat Use and Survey Techniques for a Cryptic Species,
Snakes in Forested Ecosystems, Snakes in Prairie and Grassland Ecosystems,
and Snakes in Bog and Wetland Ecosystems. Copies are $28.00 (cheque
or
money order made out to the Toronto Zoo) and can be ordered from B.
Johnson, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave., Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7.
Legler, K., D. Legler, and D. Westover. 1998. Color Guide to Common
Dragonflies of Wisconsin. Revised Edition. Privately published by Karl
Legler, 429 Franklin St., Sauk City, Wisconsin 53583.
This attractive and useful guide includes 167 colour photographs and
drawings covering 76 of Wisconsin's 110 dragonfly species. Since almost
all
the species covered also occur in Ontario, this guide is very relevant
here. Copies can be ordered for U.S. $19.95 from the author (address
above).
Ley, L.M. and J.M. Crowe. 1999. An Enthusiasts Guide to the Liverworts
and
Hornworts of Ontario. Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario. 136
pp.
This small spiral bound book covers Ontario's 153 liverwort and 4 hornwort
species. Included are keys, line drawings, descriptions, and notes
on
habitat and distribution. A few species are also illustrated by colour
photos. This is the only guide available for this group of Ontario
plants
and will be useful to botanists in regions adjacent to Ontario, since
many
of the species are wide-ranging. Copies can be ordered for CAN $15
or US
$10 (postage included; cheque payable to Lakehead University) from
Erika
North, c/o Claude Garton Herbarium, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver
Road,
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1.
Magee, D.W., and H.E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast: a Manual
of the
Vascular Flora of New England and Adjacent New York. University of
Massachusetts Press, Amherst. 1213 pp. (ISBN 1-55849-189-9)
This new flora covers all the New England states plus eastern New York
(including Long Island). It contains county dot distribution maps for
most
species, as well as keys and some line drawings. Most Ontario plants
are
covered by this flora (although some midwestern and far northern species
are not) and the flora will be useful to botanists in northeastern
North
America.
Pilon, J-G., and D. Legace. 1998. Les Odonates du Quebec. Entomofaune
du
Quebec (EQ) Inc., Chicoutimi, Quebec. 367 pp. (ISBN 2-9802763-2-4)
Distribution maps (plotted by 1:50,000 topographic map) and illustrated
keys cover all species of dragonflies and damselflies occurring in
Quebec.
This book, which is written in French (scientific names and English
common
names provided for each map), will be very useful for people interested
in
the distribution or identification of Odonata in Quebec or adjacent
regions.
Semple, J.C., G.S. Ringius and J.J. Zhang. 1999. The goldenrods of Ontario:
Solidago L. and Euthamia Nutt. 3rd Edition. University
of Waterloo Biology
Series 39:1-90. (ISSN-0317-3348)
John Semple, Gordon Ringius, and Jay Zhang have produced a third edition
of
this popular guide to Ontario goldenrods, first published in 1983.
The new
edition includes several improvements over earlier editions most notably
the inclusion of colour plates for many species. Several new names
are
proposed including Solidago asteroides (for the species known
previously as
S. ptarmicoides and Aster ptarmicoides) and Solidago
hispida var.
huronensis (for glabrous Lake Huron sand dune plants which had
formerly
been included in S. hispida var. tonsa); Euthamia
gymnospermoides is newly
reported for Ontario. Copies can be obtained for $15.00 plus $5.00
shipping
and handling (Canadian buyers add GST) from the University of Waterloo
Biology Series, Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo,
Ontario N2L 3G1 (specify spiral or perfect bound; make cheques payable
to
'University of Waterloo - Biology Series'). The 2nd Edition (1996)
of
Semple, Heard, and Xiang's "Asters of Ontario" is available from the
same
source.
Walker, E.M. 1953, 1958, 1975 (with P.S. Corbet). The Odonata of Canada
and
Alaska. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario. Three Volumes.
These classic, long out-of-print volumes have been reprinted by the
University of Toronto Press and are available through the Toronto
Entomologists' Association. Although expensive ($196), these volumes
are
the most authoritative treatment of Canadian dragonflies and damselflies
and are a must for anyone with a serious interest in this group. Order
from
the Toronto Entomologists' Association, c/o Alan Hanks, 34 Season Drive,
Aurora, Ontario L4G 2K1.
Westfall, M.J., Jr., and M.L. May. 1996. Damselflies of North America.
Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, Florida. 649 pp. (ISBN 0-945417-93-4)
Westfall and May's long-awaited treatment of North American damselflies
will be of great value to anyone wishing to identify damselflies in
Ontario
or elsewhere in North America. Keys to adults and larvae, diagnostic
photographs and line drawings, and detailed descriptions all contribute
to
an excellent identification manual.
The following publications, authored by NHIC staff, have been prepared
since the previous listings (NHIC Newsletter 2(1):10, 3(1):9, 4(1):16,
4(2)19-20). Note that these publications are not available from the
NHIC.
Austen, M.J. and M.J. Oldham. 1999. COSSARO Candidate
V, T, E Species
Evaluation Form for Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata). Natural
Heritage
Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough,
Ontario. 6 pp. + appendices.
Austen, M.J. and M.J. Oldham. 1999. COSSARO Candidate
V, T, E Species
Evaluation Form for Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum).
Natural
Heritage Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Peterborough, Ontario. 6 pp. + appendices.
Austen, M.J. and M.J. Oldham. 1999. COSSARO Candidate
V, T, E Species
Evaluation Form for Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris). Natural
Heritage
Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough,
Ontario. 6 pp. + appendices.
Austen, M.J. and M.J. Oldham. 1999. COSSARO Candidate
V, T, E Species
Evaluation Form for Eastern Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina gloydi).
Natural
Heritage Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Peterborough, Ontario. 7 pp. + appendices.
Austen, M.J. and M.J. Oldham. 1999. COSSARO Candidate
V, T, E Species
Evaluation Form for Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus).
Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Peterborough, Ontario. 5 pp. + appendices.
Austen, M.J. and M.J. Oldham. 1999. COSSARO Candidate
V, T, E Species
Evaluation Form for Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens). Natural
Heritage
Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough,
Ontario. 9 pp. + appendices.
Bakowsky, W. 1998. Community evaluation methodology. pp. 276-281,
in Parks
and Protected Areas Research in, Ontario 1998 (edited by J.G. Nelson,
K.
Van Osch, T.J. Beechey, W.R. Stephenson and J. Marsh). Parks Research
Forum
of Ontario (PRFO), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario.
Burke, P.S., C.D. Jones, J.M. Line, M.J. Oldham and P.J.
Sorrill. 1999.
1998 Peterborough County Natural History Summary. Peterborough Field
Naturalists, Natural Heritage Information Centre, and Trent University,
Peterborough, Ontario. vi + 219 pp. (Reviewed in Ontario Birds
17(2):96-97.)
Goodban, A.G., W.D. Bakowsky and B.D. Bricker. Undated [1999].
The
historical and present extent and floristic composition of prairie
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