The surveys began with cataloguing vegetation during an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) within an 8 ha Significant Woodland (SW) in Niagara region on May 1st. During this excursion the entire oak-hickory deciduous forest component of this SW was found to be full of provincially rare Red Hickory (Carya glabra), while the open woodland contained provincially and federally endangered Butternut (Juglans cinerea).
On May 14, 2016 EARTHQUEST launched the official kick-off for the update to the vascular plants of Port Burwell Provincial Park with the Otter Valley Naturalists (OVN).
Photo: Sara Lattanzio (from left to right; Dave Jolly, Joe Stephenson, Peter Staley, Ron Allensan and Tom Manley)
A total of 175 species of vascular plants were observed by Dave and other members of the OVN with several plant specimens of a western pine species - Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), pointed out by Ron, as the field trip highlight. Thanks to Ron Douglas-fir was a new addition to the updated master plant species list. Other new additions to the plant list include; Amur Maple (Acer ginnala), Chinese Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), regionally rare Azure Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiensis), Goatgrass (Aegilops ovata), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium), Northern Dewberry (Rubus flagellaris), and American Mountain-ash (Sorbus americana). Also noted was a sapling Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata), which are relatively rare within the Park boundaries. This was an excellent way to kick off this project compared to the 185 plant species originally documented in mid September, 2001, which was cancelled due to the 911 event.
For those that missed the May 14th kick-off for the plants of Port Burwell PP update - I'll be giving a talk at the Park on Friday July 15th at 4 pm, which is also . Simple meet at the Recreation Field & Interpretive Center within the Park. We'll be hiking the Ravine Creek trail in search of plants to contribute to the official master plant list for Port Burwell PP.
On May 24th a field visit to another EARTHQUEST project between Sudbury and Manitoulin Island on behalf of Moggy Environmental revealed 8 new plant records for Manitoulin county, including tiny (plant depicted in the photo is approximately 8 cm) Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidus) - a new record for the Plants of Ontario database.
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| Photo: Dave JollyCreeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidus) in bloom |
Saturday May 28th covered 3.2 km along the Bruce Trail near Iroquois Heights Conservation Area (CA) on behalf of the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC). Courtney Baldo, a volunteer Field Botany Mentorship participant assisted with this endeavour. Courtney joined the mentorship program in April, 2016
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| Photo: Dave Jolly Courtney taking notes along Bruce Trail near Iroquois Heights CA |
A total of 20 families, 24 genera and 27 species were documented. Canada Violet (Viola canadensis) was regionally rare. Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Hair Fescue (Festuca filiformis) were new discoveries added to the Bruce Trail Project.
Elsewhere along the Bruce Trail, or on BTC property Brian Popelier of the BTC surveyed 5 counties cataloguing 490 records. Of these, Brian added 4 new records to the Plants of Ontario database; False Melic Grass (Schizachne purpurascens), Grooved Meadow Grass (Poa alsoides), Inflated Narrow Leaved Sedge (Carex grisea), and White Bear Sedge (Carex albursina).
In summary, 310 species were observed, including 4 provincially and federally listed Species at Risk, and 9 provincially rare plants.
To view all the plants discovered please visit the May monthly summary
