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| Endangered species Monitoring and inventory Restoration ecology NEW! Download a PDF of the updated Checklist of the spontaneous flora of Royal Botanical Gardens' nature sanctuaries. Download the Marsh Vegetation fact sheet. Endangered species The Gardens is active in endangered species research, both on- and off-site. Our natural lands contain the primary Canadian populations of two critically endangered species: bashful bulrush (Trichophorum planifolium) and red mulberry (Morus rubra), as well as a diversity of threatened or rare species. We also take advantage of our plant propagation facilities, like the Aquatic Nursery, to explore the potential of ex-situ plant conservation — plant "zoos" where critically endangered species are grown in captivity if their native habitats were under threat. Bashful bulrush (Trichophorum planifolium) The Gardens’ natural lands house the largest population of Trichophorum planifolium in Canada. There is only one other population, in the Rouge Valley of Toronto. Unfortunately, this population is extremely small (only four stems; probably only one plant), and is not likely to persist, leaving the stands on our nature sanctuaries the lone substantial population of this species in Canada. Extensive fieldwork on our properties has located eight populations of Trichophorum scattered on rich slopes on both sides of Cootes Paradise. To develop an effective recovery strategy for this species, the Gardens launched an ambitious demography research project. Seven of the eight populations were overlaid with a one-by-one-metre grid, and the exact location (to the nearest centimetre), size and stem number of each plant were recorded. Over subsequent years the Gardens’ field botanists will track the development of these populations and gain a better understanding of the population dynamics of this species. Red mulberry (Morus rubra) The rich escarpment talus slopes of the Gardens’ Rock Chapel and Berry Tract nature sanctuaries support a strong population of this critically endangered tree. Extensive fieldwork over two seasons has allowed the Gardens to map the location of each tree, to assess its health, and to delineate the habitat communities that support these individuals. Together with researchers at the University of Guelph, scientists are attempting to assess the risk imposed by the non-native white mulberry (Morus alba). This common tree has the potential to hybridize with red mulberry, a process that could swamp the genetic uniqueness of the native species. COSEWIC Contracts Field botanists have completed the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status update report for small-flowered lipocarpha (Lipocarpha micrantha). Currently, they are completing the COSEWIC status update reports for green dragon (Arisaema dracontium) and broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera), and are on recovery teams for wood poppy and American ginseng. The field work that supports these reports is often the only specific field work done on the species in question, and is vital to assess the threats facing these endangered plants. For example, the Arisaema contract included two weeks of survey work during which the Gardens’ field botanist was able to tour historic Arisaema populations throughout southern Ontario to determine whether the plants are persisting. Most of these populations had not been visited in the last decade, and many hadn’t been visited by a botanist for over 40 years. Back to Top Monitoring and inventory Long-term vegetation monitoring in Cootes Paradise and Grindstone Estuary is necessary to help botanists identify any changes in plant species composition and density, and to help measure the extent of invasive exotic plant populations, including purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and sweet manna grass (Glyceria maxima). Within each of our nature sanctuaries there are dozens of distinct communities. These communities differ from one another in plant and animal species, soil type, moisture level, topography and history. Field botanists are involved in field surveys to update existing plant community maps to conform with new standards provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Ecological Land Classification program. Although these surveys will take several years to complete, the updated maps provide insight into the ecological value of the different habitat types that occur throughout our natural lands. Some of the Gardens’ most significant upland communities include excellent examples of Carolinian tallgrass woodlands, Niagara Escarpment cliffs and talus slopes, and mature northern sugar maple forests. Submergents Transects are used to measure the density of submergent plants throughout Cootes Paradise. Eight transects of varying lengths cross the marsh. Botanists slowly boat along each transect identifying, counting and recording all submergent plants they encounter within each transect’s 50-centimetre width. Counts are conducted twice a year, once in June and again in August to ensure that species that appear both early and late in the season are included. Emergents Aerial photographs of Cootes Paradise and lower Grindstone Creek are available dating as far back as 1934. They provide a historical view of the extent of emergent marsh vegetation as well as insight into the changes that have occurred in the vegetation community over the years. Using aerial photographs is the easiest vegetation monitoring method for scientists. The existing air-photos have been digitized and are stored in the Gardens’ Geographical Information Systems database. A Global Positioning System (GPS) The GPS — a device linked to satellites that can be used to determine the precise location of an object on the earth’s surface — helps field botanists to produce accurate maps of emergent vegetation in Cootes Paradise and Grindstone Creek. Although this method is more time consuming than surveying vegetation along transects, GPS units provide more accurate and detailed information and are helping to build a database to interpret restoration progress. |
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Science contacts Ask our science staff a question about the science and conservation program. Science fact sheets Download a fact sheet and learn about our restoration projects. Herbarium We have a collection of more than 70,000 pressed plant specimen. The Fishway Find out how we keep carp out of Cootes Paradise and how you can see native fish up close. Project Paradise Learn about the one of the largest habitat restoration projects in North America. Directions Click here to see how easy we are to find. Local weather Find out the local forecast before you head out!ou head out! |
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