List
of Provincial and Regionally Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)
along the St. Lawrence River
Provincial
Significant Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest along the St. Lawrence
River:
Regionally
Significant Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest along the St. Lawrence
River:
Crysler Farm
Battlefield and Park Forest
Johnson Bay Costal Wetland and Forests
|
|
CAMELOT ISLAND |
AREA_ID: 1101 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Provincial |
Life Science ANSI |
10.0 ha |
18,411300,4905700 |
31C/8 |
Description
Camelot Island is one of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. The
island has been part of the St. Lawrence Islands National Park since 1904 which
means that the forests have been long-undisturbed. [White 1993]
Vegetation
The topography is very rugged and the forests are generally mixed in nature but
present a range of associations from coniferous communities of White Pine and
Hemlock, or the provicially rare Pitch Pine, to deciduous stands of Red Oak and
Sugar Maple. There are also frequent interior dry forest openings and shoreline
barrens. The spring flora of the deciduous forests is quite rich in species for
the area. The upland habitats of this small island are exceptionally diverse.
[White, 1993]
Representation
Landform
The Thousand Islands occur in the water-based equivalent of the clay-based
'knobs and flats' landscape of Chapman & Putnam (1984). The 'knobs' or
islands actually belong to the Shallow Till and Rock Ridges region of Chapman
& Putnam (1984). [White, 1993]
References
- White, D.J. 1993. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-10: A
Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Kemptville and Tweed Districts.
|
CRYSLER FARM BATTLEFIELD PARK FOREST |
AREA_ID: 1136 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Regional |
Life Science ANSI |
80.0 ha |
18,492500,4977000 |
31B/14&11 |
Description
Vegetation
The forest cover here is predominantly young to submature, representing early successional
deciduous and mixed forests (Trembling Aspen, Red Maple, White Birch, White
Cedar) on thin, hummocky sandy loam over clay. Sites are mesic to wet,
reflecting the high water table. Late successional forest of Eastern Hemlock
and American Beech dominate some higher hummocks, particularly towards the
western edge of the site, supporting a sparse undergrowth of herbaceous
vegetation. Though typically an acidophylic species, Painted Trillium (Trillium
undulatum) is common here in the thin, humus-rich ground cover over basic clay
parent materials. [Brunton 1992]
Representation
Reasonably intact forest cover on clay substrates is not common in Site
District 6E-12; this factor, and the protected status of the land, suggest
considerable potential for natural environment significance at the site.
[Brunton 1992]
Landform
Landform Type(s): Clay Plain. [Brunton 1992]
References
- Brunton, D.F. 1992. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-12.
Unpublished Manuscript. 225 pp.
|
FERNBANK FOREST |
AREA_ID: 1232 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Provincial |
Life Science ANSI |
10.0 ha |
18,442500,4934000 |
31B/12 |
Description
This site is a long-undisturbed mixed forest and possible old-growth forest candidate
(White 1990). The forest is an association of White Pine, Sugar Maple, and
White Ash. The stand has lots of coarse woody debris, is dominated by large old
trees, has no evidence of any tree cutting for a very long time, and has an
all-aged size distribution. These are the main attributes of old-growth forest
(White 1990). The site is rather small and is surrounded on all sides by
development and thus its long-term prospects are questionable. No other
comparable undisturbed mixed forest is known in the site district. [White 1992]
Vegetation
Representation
According to Chapman and Putnam (1984), the site is on limestone plain
landform, however, a site inspection in 1990 suggested that the area is part of
the complex of igneous rock shoreline and offshore islands and as such, may be
more representative of the adjacent Site District 6-10. The candidate offers
the only provincially significant representation of old mixed forest in the
site district. [White 1992]
Landform
References
- White, D.J. 1992. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-11: A
Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Eastern Region, Kemptville.
|
|
HOOPLE CREEK WETLAND |
AREA_ID: 1308 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Regional |
Life Science ANSI |
70.0 ha |
18,503000,4984000 |
31G/2 |
Description
Vegetation
This wetland is of recent origin, resulting from flooding of the St. Lawrence
River for the St. Lawrence Seaway in the mid 1950s. It is situated on the St.
Lawrence River flood plain across which Hoople Creek drains. The bay into which
it empties is shallow, with sediment-laden eutrophic water and a narrow band of
Cat-tail (Typha latifolia) - Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris) marsh along the
shoreline. Vast emergent mudflats usually form by late summer - early fall upon
which marsh and emergent aquatic flora form dense populations. Included amongst
these are various rushes (Juncus spp.), sedges (Carex spp., Eleocharis spp.,
Cyperus spp.), grasses, Beggarsticks (Bidens cernua and B. frondosa), knotweed
(Polygonum lapathifolium, P. pensylvanicum) as well as marsh dominants. The
uncommon southern sedge, Intermediate Spikerush (Eleocharis intermedia), is
found on exposed mudflats in the fall. The backshore of the site is completely
utilized for agricultural and residential purposes and supports minimal natural
significance. [Brunton 1992]
Representation
The site represents a disturbed example of the mudflat vegetation supported
elsewhere in the site district at Ottawa Beach in Ottawa/Nepean. [Brunton 1992]
Landform
This wetland is of recent origin, resulting from flooding of the St. Lawrence
River for the St. Lawrence Seaway in the mid 1950s. It is situated on the St.
Lawrence River flood plain across which Hoople Creek drains. [Brunton 1992]
Landform Type(s): Clay Plain. [Brunton 1992]
References
- Brunton, D.F. 1992. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-12.
Unpublished Manuscript. 225 pp.
|
INGLESIDE WETLAND |
AREA_ID: 1320 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Regional |
Life Science ANSI |
620.0 ha |
18,498000,4980000 |
31B/14 |
Description
Vegetation
Extensive Cat-tail (Typha latifolia) - Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
marsh and eutrophic, open-water aquatic associations dominate the unforested
majority of the site. As with other St. Lawrence Seaway marshes, this site
supports a homogeneous vegetation with minimal floristic diversity. Open water
in and beyond the marsh is shallow, eutrophic and also with low floristic
diversity, likely due to the large annual river level draw-down as well as the
short history of the site as a wetland.
Thicket swamp vegetation of Speckled Alder, Red-osier Dogwood and willow (Salix
petiolaris, S. bebbiana, S. discolor) borders much of the marsh area and grades
into scrubby Green Ash - Red Maple - White Elm lowland forest on wet sites and
Green Ash - Bur Oak - hawthorn vegetation on higher ground in the regenerating
pasturelands. [Brunton 1992]
Representation
The site is part of a provincially significant (Class 1) Upper Canada Migratory
Bird Sanctuary Wetland. Although severely disturbed by past and on-going land
management practices, the relatively extensive marsh and swamp complex here
offer the potential for ecological conservation management and thus, a moderate
degree of representative significance. [Brunton 1992]
Landform
Landform Type(s): Clay Plain and Ground Moraine. [Brunton 1992]
References
- Brunton, D.F. 1992. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-12.
Unpublished Manuscript. 225 pp.
|
JOHNSON BAY COASTAL WETLAND AND FORESTS |
AREA_ID: 1329 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Regional |
Life Science ANSI |
650.0 ha |
18,399000,4903000 |
31C/8 |
Description
This is a large protected coastal wetland complex which occupies an incised
valley in the limestone plain landform if the Napanee Plain Physiographic
Region. [Macdonald 1987]
Vegetation
The vegetation features present temperate forest and wetland communities which
are quite representative of the site district. The forests on the mesic valley
slopes have a deciduous to mixed canopy and intermediate to submature age
classes. The predominant tree cover is of northern red oak - sugar maple -
American beech - eastern white pine (Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - Fagus
grandifolia - Pinus stobus). As well, there are portions of the northwestern
slopes with deeper sandy soils which support a more coniferous, submature cover
of eastern white pine - northern red oak (Pinus strobus - Quercus rubra). These
forests tend to be only lightly to moderately distrubed by cutting and grazing,
with several concentrations of virtually undistrubed canopy occurring along
both sides of the valley. The rims of the valley, however, support rather more
successional forests which have been more severely disturbed by grazing and
cutting. In these cases, the presence of eastern white cedar (Thuja
occidentalis) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is common. The
limestone plains along the valley's southern rim support pastured and
cultivated fields which locally are undergoing considerable hawthorn (Crataegus
species) succession. The valley basin supports and extensive wetland which has
aquatic, marshland and swamp thicket communities wich are typical of the
saturated to wet site conditions. The marshes are predominantly composed of
broad leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) Canada blue joint ( Calamagrostis
canadensis), sedges (Carex lacustris, C. lurida, C. retrorsa), and others.
There have frequent aquatic openings throughout the site which present
favourable conditions for waterfowl populations. The thickets tend to form
fringes along the valley base and are composed predominantly of speckled alder
(Alnus incana subsp. rugosa) and red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera).
[Macdonald 1987]
Representation
The significance of the site lies in its portrayal of the landforms and
vegetation which are associated with the coastal wetlands and the limestone
escarpment valley situations. The slope forests tends to be relatively well
developed and locally undistrubed, and the wetland communities have diverse and
representative features. The present cottage and other developments are
restricted to local sections on the northwestern side of the valley. The
Ontario Wetland Evaluation studies for Napanee District have indicated this to
be a Class 1 Wetland. This site is considered to be significant at a regional
level and should be designated a Regionally Significant ANSI. [Macdonald 1987]
Landform
The landform features of the site are dominated by the occurrence of a very
well developed incised valley which cuts into the limestone plain and creates a
several tiered scarp of over 25 metres along both of its slopes. A large
wetland occupies the basin of this valley which open to the northeast onto a
protected channel of the St. Lawrence River. Soil development on the slopes has
occurred in thin to deep, mesic sandy and clay loams, while that in the wetland
is predominantly of wet to saturated gleys and fibric mucks. [Macdonald 1987]
References
- Macdonald, I.D. 1987. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-15.
Draft. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Eastern Region, Kemptville.
SR OFER 8603. viii + 149 pp.
|
JONES CREEK |
AREA_ID: 143 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Provincial |
Life Science ANSI |
1200.0 ha |
18,433000,4926000 |
31B/5 |
Description
Vegetation
The ANSI offers a diverse landscape of extensive riverine marsh associated with
the St. Lawrence River, mature mesic deciduous forest, and a striking limestone
escarpment. The marsh is primarily dominated by Cattails (Typha latifolia) with
some sections dominated by Red and White Oak; north-facing slopes are
frequently dominated by Hemlock. The limestone escarpment is largely shaded by
a tall canopy forest but does support a limited population of the regionally
uncommon Smooth Cliffbrake (Pellaea glabella) (White, 1993).
Representation
Landform
The Jones Creek ANSI occurs in the Leeds Subdistrict that is in the Shallow
Till and Rock Ridges region of Chapman & Putnam (1984, in White, 1993)
adjacent to the boundary with the limestone plain of Site District 6-11. This
ANSI includes a limestone escarpment and some associated forest that is part of
the Smith Falls Limestone Plain - Site District 6-11.
References
- White, D.J. 1993. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-10: A
Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Kemptville and Tweed Districts
|
LANDONS BAY - FITZSIMMONS MOUNTAIN |
AREA_ID: 1356 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Provincial |
Life Science ANSI |
500.0 ha |
18,416500,4913000 |
31C/8 |
Description
The ANSI is a diverse landscape of mixed forest, exposed rock ridges, igneous
rock cliffs, dry deciduous forest, and aquatic and emergent riverine marsh
associated with the St. Lawrence River. The most important habitats in this
ANSI are considered to be the exposed rock ridges, the more mature sections of
mixed and deciduous forest, the igneous rock cliff, and the riverine marsh.
Vegetation
The exposed rock ridges of Fitzsimmons Mountain support a sparse to
non-existent vegetation cover that because of the lack of soil and exposure,
consists of unvegetated rock barrens and dry impoverished meadows dominated by
Sedges (Carex spp.). The ANSI supports excellent examples of undisturbed and
relatively mature mixed and deciduous forests. Mixed forests are dominated by
Sugar Maple, White Pine, Hemlock, Yellow Birch, and Red Maple. The deciduous
forests are dry-mesic and warmer-than-normal and are dominated by Red and White
Oak. The west side of Landons Bay is formed by a large and dramatic granite
cliff that provided habitat for a few specialized plants (White, 1993).
Representation
Landform
The Landons Bay/Fitzsimmons Mt. ANSI occurs in the Leeds Subdistrict that is in
the Shallow Till and Rock Ridges region of Chapman & Putnam (1984, in
White, 1993) in an area of bare wave-washed granite ridges and valleys with a
limited soil cover. Although the ANSI is in the Leeds 'knobs and flats'
landscape of Chapman & Putnam, the ANSI itself is largely 'knob' with only
limited clay 'flats' that support abandoned agricultural fields. Fitzsimmons
Mountain itself is the most prominent feature of the site and consists of a
large granite dome topped by exposed rock ridges.
References
- Norris, T.A. and D.G. Cuddy.
1991. A Biological Inventory and Evaluation of Landons Bay/Fitzsimmons
Mountain ANSI. OMNR, Eastern Region, Kemptville. Draft. 47 pp.
- White, D.J. 1993. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-10: A
Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Kemptville and Tweed Districts.
|
MULCASTER ISLAND |
AREA_ID: 1453 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Regional |
Life Science ANSI |
0.0 ha |
18,416200,4910300 |
31C/8 |
Description
Mulcaster Island is one of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. The
island has been part of the St. Lawrence Island National Park since 1969.
[White 1993]
Vegetation
The topography is very rugged and the forests are generally deciduous in nature
and dominated by Sugar Maple and Red Oak but they also include coniferous
communities of White Pine and Hemlock. There are frequent dry shoreline
barrens. The spring flora of the deciduous forests is quite rich in species for
the area. Although the island is small it has an excellent diversity of upland
habitats. [White 1993]
Representation
Landform
The Thousand Islands occur in the water-based equivalent of the clay-based
'knob and flats' of Chapman and Putnam (1984). The 'knobs' or islands actually
belong to the Shallow Till and Rock Ridges region of Chapman and Putnam (1984).
[White 1993]
References
- White, D.J. 1993. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-10: A
Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Kemptville and Tweed Districts.
|
NAIRNE ISLAND |
AREA_ID: 8029 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Provincial |
Earth Science ANSI |
0.0 ha |
18,498500,4978600 |
31B/14 |
Description
Vegetation
Representation
Landform
Nairne Island ANSI contains 3 well formed Late Wisconsinan drumlins oriented north-south which is unusual for this area. The drumlins may represent a third glacial advance (Newington Advance) or a simple remodification of an earlier drumlinoid form by a later ice advance. [Earth Science Database, 1998]
|
RIVERSIDE MARSH |
AREA_ID: 1557 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Regional |
Life Science ANSI |
80.0 ha |
18,489000,4974000 |
31B/14&11 |
Description
Vegetation
Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Cat-tail (Typha latifolia)
dominate the unforested majority of the site, forming a large, floristically
homogeneous marsh. Associated herbaceous vegetation is sparse; clumps of
thicket swamp are scattered throughout. An extensive thicket swamp of Speckled
Alder, Red-osier Dogwood and willow (Salix petiolaris, S. bebbiana, S.
discolor) borders the shore side of the marsh, grading into a scrubby Green Ash
- Bur Oak - hawthorn vegetation on the regenerating pasturelands in which
cattle grazing is still intensively practiced (except on Macdonald Island).
Open water beyond the marsh is shallow, with low floristic diversity on the
thinly buried limestone bedrock. The sparsity of floristic diversity in the
marsh is likely due to the large annual draw-down of water level, as well as
the short history of the site as a wetland. [Brunton 1992]
Representation
The site has been evaluated as a provincially significant (Class 3) wetland.
The young age, degree of recent disturbance and atypically low diversity of the
flora and fauna of the site counter the representational benefits of its
relatively large size and partial public ownership. [Brunton 1992]
Landform
This wetland is of recent origin, resulting from flooding of the St. Lawrence
River for the St. Lawrence Seaway in the mid 1950s. It is situated on the St.
Lawrence River flood plain over former agricultural fields, the remains of a
railway track, old Highway 2 and a variety of residential structures.
Open water beyond the marsh is shallow, with low floristic diversity on the
thinly buried limestone bedrock. The sparsity of floristic diversity in the
marsh is likely due to the large annual draw-down of water level, as well as
the short history of the site as a wetland. [Brunton 1992]
Landform Type(s): Clay Plain. [Brunton 1992]
References
- Brunton, D.F. 1992. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-12.
Unpublished Manuscript. 225 pp.
- Brunton, D.F. and J.
Atkinson. 1989. An Inventory of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Natural
Environment of the Superdev Corporation Property , Morrisburg, Dundas
County, Ontario. Prepared by D.F. Brunton, Daniel Brunton Consulting
Services with fisheries data prepared by J. Atkinson, Atkinson-Huizer
Biosurveys, for the Proctor & Redfern Group, Ottawa, Ontario. ix + 89
pp. + maps.
|
THWARTWAY ISLAND |
AREA_ID: 1662 |
|
Significance |
Area Type |
Size |
Centroid UTM |
Map # |
||||
|
Provincial |
Life Science ANSI |
37.0 ha |
18,408000,4905000 |
31C/8 |
Description
Thwartway Island has been part of the St. Lawrence Island National Park since
1971.
Vegetation
Representation
Landform
Thwartway Island is one of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. The
Thousand Islands occur in the water-based equivalent of the clay-based 'knob
and flats' landscape fo Chapman & Putnam (1984 in White, 1993). The 'knobs'
or islands actually belong to the Shallow Till and Rock Ridges region of
Chapman and Putnam. The topography is moderately rolling and the forests
present a range of associations from coniferous communities of White Pine and
the provincially rare Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), to deciduous stands of Red Oak
and Sugar Maple. One of the unique features of Thwartway is the presence of an
area of forested 'knobs and flats' landscape of Chapmand & Putnam (1984) -
most of the other clay 'flats' in the site district have been converted to
agriculture. Although these clay-based deciduous forests are small in extent and
not original- growth, they are the most mature seen in the site district. Also
found on the Island are two undeveloped sand beaches and an area of exposed
varved clay deposits, neither of which were seen elsewhere in the Thousand
Islands (White, 1993).
References
- White, D.J. 1993. Life
Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-10: A
Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Kemptville and Tweed Districts.
|