Journal articles on the topic 'Ecosystem management – Ontario'
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1
Euler, David L. "Will ecosystem management supply woodland caribou habitat in northwestern Ontario?" Rangifer 18, no. 5 (March 1, 1998): 25. http://dx.doi.org/10.7557/2.18.5.1438.
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Ecosystem management is emerging as an important concept in managing forests. Although the basic conceptual idea is not new, important defining principles are developing that elucidate some of the specific attributes of ecosystem management. These principles include: the maintenance of all ecosystems in the managed forest, rhe emulation of natural disturbance patterns on rhe landscape and the insurance that structure and function of forested ecosystems are conserved. Forest management has an impact on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), although the presence of wolves (Canis lupus) and moose (Alces alces) in the same northern ecosystems also affects the caribou-forestry interacrion. Specific management for caribou as a featured species has been proposed, based on managing large landscape blocks. Ecosystem management would also produce habitat in a manner that might accomplish the goal of conserving woodland caribou as well as maintaining other important ecosystem functions.
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Bain, Mark B., Nuanchan Singkran, and Katherine E. Mills. "Integrated Ecosystem Assessment: Lake Ontario Water Management." PLoS ONE 3, no. 11 (November 25, 2008): e3806. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003806.
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Morrison, Brian P. "Chronology of Lake Ontario ecosystem and fisheries." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 22, no. 3 (July 3, 2019): 294–304. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2019.1669377.
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Congreves, Katelyn A., Jillian M. Smith, Deanna D. Németh, David C. Hooker, and Laura L. Van Eerd. "Soil organic carbon and land use: Processes and potential in Ontario’s long-term agro-ecosystem research sites." Canadian Journal of Soil Science 94, no. 3 (August 2014): 317–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss2013-094.
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Congreves, K. A., Smith, J. M., Németh, D. D., Hooker, D. C. and Van Eerd, L. L. 2014. Soil organic carbon and land use: Processes and potential in Ontario’s long-term agro-ecosystem research sites. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 317–336. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is crucial for maintaining a productive agro-ecosystem. Long-term research must be synthesized to understand the effects of land management on SOC storage and to develop best practices to prevent soil degradation. Therefore, this review compiled an inventory of long-term Ontario studies and assessed SOC storage under common Ontario land management regimes via a meta-analysis and literature review. In general, greater SOC storage occurred in no-till (NT) vs. tillage systems, in crop rotation vs. continuous corn, and in N fertilizer vs. no N fertilizer systems; however, soil texture and perhaps drainage class may determine the effects of tillage. The effect on SOC storage was variable when deeper soil depth ranges (0–45 cm) were considered for NT and rotational cropping, which suggests an unpredictable effect of land management on SOC at depths below the plough layer. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to use the presented inventory of nine long-term research sites and 18 active experiments in Ontario to pursue coordinated studies of long-term land management on SOC at depths extending below the plough layer.
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Sims, R. A., and P. Uhlig. "The current status of forest site classification in Ontario." Forestry Chronicle 68, no. 1 (February 1, 1992): 64–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc68064-1.
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Forest sites are diagnostic forest-landscape ecosystem units that resource managers must deal with during the planning and implementation stages of management. Forest sites are the basic building blocks for undertaking integrated resource management which weighs wildlife, recreation, environmental impact and various other concerns along with timber harvesting. Consequently, accurate and practical systems for classifying and mapping forest sites are becoming increasingly necessary to organize, communicate and use existing and new management knowledge and experience effectively.Over the past four decades in Ontario, a number of studies and resource surveys have provided important background information on forest sites. Many have considered, to varying extents, the integrative roles of vegetation, soil-site, landform and general climate on forests and forest land. Generally, the emphasis has been on description and classification, with results generating a better understanding of how various forests in different areas develop, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in relation to soil-site or other features of the basic land resource. Some of these studies and surveys have been instrumental in advancing the definitions and understanding of forested ecosystems. Others have provided new information on site dynamics, interrelationships and functions, or have contributed to the science (and art) of site evaluation and classification.This paper briefly summarizes the current status of forest site classification in Ontario. Over time, the role of forest site classification has evolved in response to new technologies and information, and to new emphases and values in resource management. In general, site classification research has become increasingly integrative and quantitative. Some of the important future challenges facing forest site classification in Ontario are briefly discussed. Key words: ecological land classification, forest ecology, forest ecosystem classification, forest management interpretations, forest site classification, land use planning, Ontario.
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Corns, Ian G. W. "Ecosystems With Potential for Aspen Management." Forestry Chronicle 65, no. 1 (February 1, 1989): 16–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc65016b1-1.
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Much has been learned of the ecology, management, and utilization of aspen and several comprehensive reviews are available. The development of forest ecosystem classifications as a framework for intensive management has occurred mainly in the past 10 years and such site classifications are now available for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario in areas where aspen is important. The relevance of several such ecological site classifications to aspen management in Canada is discussed.
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Zorn, Paul, William Stephenson, and Paul Grigoriev. "An Ecosystem Management Program and Assessment Process for Ontario National Parks." Conservation Biology 15, no. 2 (April 2001): 353–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2001.015002353.x.
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MacDonald, G. Blake. "The case for boreal mixedwood management: An Ontario perspective." Forestry Chronicle 71, no. 6 (December 1, 1995): 725–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc71725-6.
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The Boreal Mixedwood Forest is defined and a rationale is presented for proactive mixedwood management in Ontario. The extent, persistence, inherent biodiversity, ecological sustainability and increasing economic value of the Boreal Mixedwood Forest justify intentional management for mixed-species crops on appropriate sites. Although Ontario has no tradition of boreal mixed-wood management, attitudes are changing as the province seeks to reduce the cost of forest renewal and adopt sustainable, ecosystem-based practices. Obstacles to managing the mixedwood forest are discussed and recommendations for promoting this valuable resource are presented. Key words: alternative forestry practices, diversity, economic benefits, integrated resource management, inventory, natural regeneration, silvicultural standards, site characteristics, species utilization, successional pathways
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Puttock, G. D., I. Timossi, and L. S. Davis. "BOREAL: A tactical planning system for forest ecosystem management." Forestry Chronicle 74, no. 3 (June 1, 1998): 413–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc74413-3.
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BOREAL is a tactical planning system designed to aid forest managers in developing site-specific management schedules consistent with planning objectives and environmental standards. The system projects outcomes of management alternatives in terms of future forest conditions and forest products and displays results in tabular, graphic, and map formats. The application of the system in a tactical management planning situation is demonstrated with an example of the interactions between timber production and moose (Alces alces L.) habitat for a 5,000 ha area in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. The system is flexible and can be adapted to a variety of forest planning scenarios such as integrated timber production and habitat management, conservation of old growth forests, and protection of significant forest ecosystems. Key words: Algonquin Park, geographic information system, linear programming, management planning, moose, timber supply, wildlife habitat
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Mills, E. L., J. M. Casselman, R. Dermott, J. D. Fitzsimons, G. Gal, K. T. Holeck, J. A. Hoyle, et al. "Lake Ontario: food web dynamics in a changing ecosystem (19702000)." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60, no. 4 (April 1, 2003): 471–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f03-033.
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We examined stressors that have led to profound ecological changes in the Lake Ontario ecosystem and its fish community since 1970. The most notable changes have been reductions in phosphorus loading, invasion by Dreissena spp., fisheries management through stocking of exotic salmonids and control of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and fish harvest by anglers and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). The response to these stressors has led to (i) declines in both algal photosynthesis and epilimnetic zooplankton production, (ii) decreases in alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) abundance, (iii) declines in native Diporeia and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), (iv) behavioral shifts in alewife spatial distribution benefitting native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) populations, (v) dramatic increases in water clarity, (vi) predation impacts by cormorants on select fish species, and (vii) lake trout recruitment bottlenecks associated with alewife-induced thiamine deficiency. We expect stressor responses associated with anthropogenic forces like exotic species invasions and global climate warming to continue to impact the Lake Ontario ecosystem in the future and recommend continuous long-term ecological studies to enhance scientific understanding and management of this important resource.
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Armstrong, Ted (E R). "Integration of woodland caribou habitat management and forest management in northern Ontario - current status and issues." Rangifer 18, no. 5 (March 1, 1998): 221. http://dx.doi.org/10.7557/2.18.5.1559.
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Woodland caribou {Rangifer tarandus caribou) range across northern Ontario, occurring in both the Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Boreal Forest. Woodland caribou extend south well into the merchantable forest, occurring in licensed and/or actively managed Forest Management Units (FMU's) across the province. Caribou range has gradually but continuously receded northward over the past century. Since the early 1990's, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) has been developing and implementing a woodland caribou habitat management strategy in northwestern Ontario. The purpose of the caribou habitat strategy is to maintain woodland caribou occupancy of currently occupied range in northwestern Ontario. Long-term caribou habitat needs and predator-prey dynamics form the basis of this strategy, which requires the development of a landscape-level caribou habitat mosaic across the region within caribou range. This represents a significant change from traditional forest management approaches, which were based partially upon moose (Alces alces) habitat management principles. A number of issues and concerns regarding implications of caribou management to the forest industry are being addressed, including short-term and long-term reductions in wood supply and wood quality, and increased access costs. Other related concerns include the ability to regenerate forests to pre-harvest stand conditions, remote tourism concerns, implications for moose populations, and required information on caribou biology and habitat. The forest industry and other stakeholders have been actively involved with the OMNR in attempting to address these concerns, so that caribou habitat requirements are met while ensuring the maintenance of a viable timber industry, other forest uses and the forest ecosystem.
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Grenier, Marcelle, Nicholas Lantz, François Soulard, and Jennie Wang. "The use of combined Landsat and Radarsat data for urban ecosystem accounting in Canada." Statistical Journal of the IAOS 36, no. 3 (August 26, 2020): 823–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/sji-200663.
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This paper describes an approach for combining Landsat and Radarsat satellite images to generate national statistics for urban ecosystem accounting. These accounts will inform policy related to the development of mitigation measures for climatic and hydrologic events in Canada. Milton, Ontario was used as a test case for the development of an approach identifying urban ecosystem types and assessing change from 2001 to 2019. Methods included decomposition of Radarsat images into polarimetric parameters to test their usefulness in characterizing urban areas. Geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) was used to identify urban ecosystem types following an existing classification of local climate zones. Three supervised classifiers: decision tree, random forest and support vector machine, were compared for their accuracy in mapping urban ecosystems. Ancillary geospatial datasets on roads, buildings, and Landsat-based vegetation were used to better characterize individual ecosystem assets. Change detection focused on the occurrence of changes that can impact ecosystem service supply – i.e., conversions from less to more built-up urban types. Results demonstrate that combining Radarsat polarimetric parameters with the Landsat images improved urban characterization using the GEOBIA random forest classifier. This approach for mapping urban ecosystem types provides a practical method for measuring and monitoring changes in urban areas.
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Cameron, D. A., I. K. Morrison, K. A. Baldwin, and D. P. Kreutzweiser. "Black Sturgeon Boreal Mixedwood Research Project." Forestry Chronicle 75, no. 3 (June 1, 1999): 427–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc75427-3.
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Over 50% of the productive forest land in boreal Ontario is composed of boreal mixedwood stands. These stands represent some of the most complex ecological problems for forest researchers because of inherent fertility and high productivity both in terms of timber yields and ability to sustain high wildlife populations. The response of boreal mixedwoods to disturbances such as fire, insects and disease and harvesting is also unclear. An integrated, multi-disciplinary, multi-agency approach to understanding boreal mixedwood ecosystems was undertaken in the early 1990s with the establishment of the Black Sturgeon Boreal Mixedwood Research Project Four broad research component studies – site preparation alternatives, harvesting impacts, fire ecology and aquatic ecosystem responses – were begun in second growth boreal mixedwoods in north central Ontario. This account provides a broad overview of the specific research investigations on the Black Sturgeon Boreal Mixedwood Research Project. It outlines the funding, partnerships and management of this project and provides a historical research perspective of the Black Sturgeon area. Key words: boreal, mixedwood, harvesting impacts, fire ecology, site preparation, aquatic ecosystems
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Marina, Daniel, and Sean C. Thomas. "An analysis of the Modeling and Inventory Support Tool: Yield curves vary with Forest Ecosystem Classification." Forestry Chronicle 88, no. 02 (April 2012): 147–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc2012-031.
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Stand-level growth and yield models are essential to assessing sustainable levels of forest harvest; such assessments are supported in Ontario by the Modeling and Inventory Support Tool (MIST), which combines updated yield estimates and predicted successional trajectories to improve yield forecasts in Ontario. Currently, forest management planning and MIST stratifies the landbase by the Standard Forest Unit (SFU), but not ecosite as defined under the Forest Ecosystem Classification (FEC) system. Here we examined variation in MIST's input and output parameters (site index, top height, and basal area) for ecosites that fall within the definition of the PW1 SFU in Central Ontario (white-pine-dominated sites). Ecosites showed significant differences in site index values and top height, but not basal area, results indicating systematic differences in productivity among ecosites within the SFU. These results show that fine-scale variation in edaphic factors, as indicated by ecosite information, correspond to differences in stand productivity, and suggest the importance of a more harmonized approach between yield modeling, SFUs, and the FEC system in Ontario.
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Lautenschlager, R. A., F. Wayne Bell, Robert G. Wagner, and John A. Winters. "The Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project: Comparing conifer release alternatives in northwestern Ontario." Forestry Chronicle 73, no. 1 (February 1, 1997): 35–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc73035-1.
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The Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project documents the ecological consequences of alternative conifer release treatments (motor-manual [clearing/brush saw], mechanical [Silvana Selective/Ford Versatile tractor], helicopter-applied herbicides Vision® [a.i. glyphosate], Release® [a.i. triclopyr], and control [no treatment] in young spruce (Picea spp.) plantations. Here a series of papers that quantify the effects of these alternative treatments on major environmental components, as well as their production rates and costs is introduced. In general, one growing season after treatment, untreated plots tended to have consistently larger, more diverse populations of the biotic components examined. Biotic and abiotic changes caused by the cutting treatments were more similar to each other than to those resulting from the herbicide treatments, but statistical differences among treatments were few. Herbicide treatments were the most productive and least costly, and about 60% of the active ingredient was deposited on the target (aspen [Populus tremuloides Michx.]) foliage. Key words: alternative conifer release treatments, brushcutting, clearing saws, ecosystem research, Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project, glyphosate, herbicides, sustainability, tending, triclopyr, vegetation management
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McKenney, Daniel W., Brendan G. Mackey, and Richard A. Sims. "Primary databases for forest ecosystem management-examples from Ontario and possibilities for Canada: NatGRID." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 39, no. 1-3 (1996): 399–415. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00396158.
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Ter-Mikaelian, Michael T., Stephen J. Colombo, and Jiaxin Chen. "Harvest volumes and carbon stocks in boreal forests of Ontario, Canada." Forestry Chronicle 97, no. 02 (June 2021): 168–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc2021-018.
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We used models to project forest carbon stocks for a series of harvesting scenarios for 29 boreal forest management units totalling 23.3 million ha in Ontario, Canada. Scenarios evaluated for 2020 to 2050 ranged from a no harvesting option to annual harvesting of 2% of the total merchantable volume present in 2020. For each scenario, we estimated the following carbon quantities: (a) forest ecosystem carbon stocks, (b) sum of carbon stocks in forest ecosystem and harvested wood products (HWP) minus emissions associated with HWP production and decomposition, and (c) net greenhouse gas (GHG) effects of harvesting estimated as (b) combined with emissions avoided by substituting HWP for non-wood materials. The average of each carbon quantity for 2020 to 2050 was linearly dependent on the annual harvest volume. The developed relationships were used to estimate harvest volumes for which the three carbon quantities would equal equilibrium forest ecosystem carbon stocks for a pre-suppression natural disturbance cycle. These estimates indicate the range of harvest volumes for which resulting carbon stocks would equal or exceed those in an unmanaged forest. Also discussed are possible criteria for determining annual harvest volume.
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Palmer, R. M., C. Jones, and M. Walters. "Environmental monitoring initiatives to sustain growth in Ontario, Canada." Water Science and Technology 38, no. 11 (December 1, 1998): 113–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1998.0449.
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Sustainability, which attempts to balance environmental preservation and economic growth, includes puzzling problems such as better managing the world's water resources and enhancing the quality of life. Municipalities within the Nottawasaga Valley and Lake Simcoe Watersheds, north of Toronto, are now considered to have a high potential for significant growth. Both watersheds form part of the Georgian Bay ecosystem, within the Great Lakes Basin. Integrated watershed management planning by the Nottawasaga Valley and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authorities is protecting water resources and ensuring the availability of water servicing for controlled development. This includes the maintenance of streamflows for the assimilation of treated sewage effluent from headwater basins and protection of unimpaired aquatic habitat at the same time. Monitoring the performance and success of the watershed plans is a vital component to sustain a healthy ecosystem pulse while accommodating growth. The comprehensive GIS based, multi-partnered monitoring program being used is unique. This low-cost, transferable approach for watershed monitoring includes a biological method known as BioMAP. The monitoring program has a proven track record for pre-design and post-construction stages of new development. Various case studies are presented.
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Carmean, Willard H. "Forest site-quality estimation using Forest Ecosystem Classification in Northwestern Ontario." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 39, no. 1-3 (1996): 493–508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00396164.
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Koops, M. A., M. Munawar, and L. G. Rudstam. "The Lake Ontario ecosystem: An overview of current status and future directions." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 18, no. 1 (January 2, 2015): 101–4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2015.1004028.
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Aziz, Tariq, and Philippe Van Cappellen. "Comparative valuation of potential and realized ecosystem services in Southern Ontario, Canada." Environmental Science & Policy 100 (October 2019): 105–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.06.014.
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Bradford, Andrea. "Water policy for ecosystem integrity: Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Ontario, Canada." Water International 33, no. 3 (August 22, 2008): 320–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02508060802281037.
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Morris, Dave M. "The role of long-term site productivity in maintaining healthy ecosystems: A prerequisite of ecosystem management." Forestry Chronicle 73, no. 6 (December 1, 1997): 731–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc73731-6.
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Forest health is a central issue across North America. Most definitions imply that forest health is a condition of the forest ecosystem which sustains complexity or diversity while still providing for human needs. Imbedded in this definition is the need to maintain the productive capacity of managed sites. Although site productivity is largely a function of climate, soil properties, and the biotic potential of the vegetation occupying the site, forest management can also play an influential role in altering site productivity.In terms of site productivity, different concerns exist when managing different ecosites. Based on a recently-conducted expert opinion survey, the major concerns when harvesting black spruce from shallow-soil, upland sites were: 1) harvest-related nutrient removals, and 2) loss of organic matter. In contrast to these ecosites, the major concerns for organic sites (including wet, mineral soils) were: 1) altered hydrology, and 2) rutting. The water table on these sites is typically near the surface for a significant portion of the frost-free season, minimizing organic matter decomposition and associated nutrient release. Any forest management practice which exacerbates this situation would have a negative impact on site productivity. Tree nutrient cycling studies conducted on shallow-soil sites in northwestern Ontario were presented to show that calculated nutrient replacement times, with the exception of K, did not exceed current rotation periods. However, the forest floor nutrient pool represented a major component of the soil reserves. Based on the importance of this nutrient pool, best practices designed to protect and allow for the rebuilding of this active soil pool are essential if long-term site productivity is to be maintained.This paper outlines a series of steps to evaluate and correct management-induced changes in long-term site productivity. These steps included: 1) the development of "best practice" guidelines, 2) the development of a set of "criteria and indicators", and 3) the establishment of long-term experimental field trials. The results of this third step should, in turn, be used to refine the "best practice" guidelines and suggest alternative "criteria and indicators" that should be incorporated into a monitoring program of forest sustainability. Key words: forest health, ecosystem management, site productivity, nutrient cycling
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Racey, Gerald D., and Edward R. Armstrong. "Towards a Caribou Habitat Management Strategy for Northwestern Ontario: Running the Gauntlet." Rangifer 16, no. 4 (January 1, 1996): 159. http://dx.doi.org/10.7557/2.16.4.1238.
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A management strategy for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat is being developed in northwestern Ontario. This strategy is based upon a set of draft Timber Management Guidelines for the Provision of Woodland Caribou Habitat. These guidelines recommend maintaining a sustainable supply of winter habitat within large tracts of old forest, protecting calving areas and minimizing human disturbance. Due to the large temporal and spatial scale of caribou habitat management, an ecosystem-based approach is recommended. Public response to the strategy shows a strong dichotomy between environmental and utilitarian values among all the major stakeholder groups. The major issues raised by the public include security of industrial wood supply, quality of the knowledge base, level of awareness of caribou, economic impacts on remote communities, concern about environmental impacts and silvicultural know-how. The government is responding to these concerns as the strategy evolves. Current emphasis is placed on increasing awareness of the public, training resource managers in caribou biology, management and habitat planning, implementing interim habitat management prescriptions and studying the potential impact on wood supply. The final direction for a northwestern Ontario strategy to conserve woodland caribou habitat has yet to be decided, although a commitment has been made to strive for the conservation of woodland caribou populations and their habitat.
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Ivanova, Silviya V., Sarah M. Larocque, Aaron T. Fisk, and Timothy B. Johnson. "Spatiotemporal interactions of native and introduced salmonid top predators in a large lake: implications for species restoration." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78, no. 8 (August 2021): 1158–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0447.
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Animal interactions are an integral part of a community’s function, with influences ranging from the spatiotemporal habitat use of species to population effects to ecosystem management. Numerous non-native species are established or maintained through stocking in freshwater ecosystems with the potential to affect restoration of native species. Using acoustic telemetry, this study quantified the spatiotemporal co-occurrence of the native top-predator lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) with non-native Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Lake Ontario over 2.5 years. Core home range overlap was observed during the summer, with depth acting as a mechanism of segregation, but with potential for interactions during vertical exploration. Fine-scale individual pairwise interactions confirmed the home range results. No horizontal overlap was observed during the winter and spring, but confidence was lower due to poor instrument coverage in deeper water, which the two species may frequent in these seasons. These results demonstrate the importance of depth in understanding fish interactions and highlight the usefulness of considering pairwise species interactions for understanding ecosystem community function to resource managers with multiple projects involving both native and non-native species.
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Tovilla, Edgar. "Mind the Gap: Management System Standards Addressing the Gap for Ontario’s Municipal Drinking Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Ecosystem of Regulations." Sustainability 12, no. 17 (August 31, 2020): 7099. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12177099.
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The research finds evidence in support of and wide recognition of the practical value of management system standards (MSS) by assisting municipalities in meeting their human health protection, environmental objectives, addressing environmental and property damage risks, and providing an additional mechanism of public accountability and transparency. Semi-structured interviews were applied to assess perceptions with practitioners and environmental non-governmental organizations on whether a similar approach to the legally required drinking water quality management standard (DWQMS) could be applied for the municipal wastewater and stormwater sectors. Twelve Ontario municipalities have adopted or are in the process of adopting an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) standard for their wastewater and/or stormwater systems, which represents 66% of Ontario’s population. With the large urban centres (e.g., Toronto, York Region, Durham Region, Halton Region and Peel Region) adopting the standard, this is likely to influence small to medium-sized cities to follow a similar approach. Although, resources might be a factor preventing the cohort of smaller utilities voluntarily taking this path. Regulations governing Ontario’s municipal drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities were compared via gap analysis. Gaps on management of the system, performance monitoring, auditing and having minimum design criteria left the municipal wastewater and stormwater sectors behind in comparison with recently updated (2004–2008) regulatory framework for the drinking water sector. Based on the identification and review of significant gaps in wastewater and stormwater regulation (compared with the drinking water sector), environmental MSS should be incorporated to strengthen the regulatory framework of these sectors. These phenomena also depict a form of sustainable governance with the use of MSS, which are initiated, developed and regulated by non-state actors, recognizing the value of non-state rule instruments in the water, wastewater and stormwater sectors.
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Ter-Mikaelian, Michael T., Jiaxin Chen, and Stephen J. Colombo. "Duration of Climate Change Mitigation Benefits from Increasing Boreal Forest Harvest Age by 10 Years." Forests 13, no. 8 (August 12, 2022): 1279. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13081279.
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We presented a case study and associated method for stand scale assessment of the duration of the climate change mitigation benefit provided by increasing forest harvest age (i.e., the age a stand is harvested). We used stand yield curves and newly developed equations to estimate carbon stocks in various boreal forest ecosystem pools in Ontario, Canada. The proposed method was applied to forest identified as available for harvesting in management plans for three forest management units with a combined area of more than 1900 km2. Our analysis indicated that a 10-year increase in harvest age did not provide a mitigation benefit (reduced carbon stock) in about half the available harvest area (45.5%, 61.9%, and 62.1% of the total available harvest area in the management units). Increasing the harvest age by 10 years resulted in a mitigation benefit lasting longer than 25 years for 15.1%, 16.0%, and 13.0% of the total available harvest area in the management units. The results suggest that increasing harvest age may have limited mitigation potential in Ontario’s managed boreal forests in the short-term but can reduce overall carbon stocks in the longer term.
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Suir, Glenn M., Douglas A. Wilcox, and Molly Reif. "Classification of Typha-dominated wetlands using airborne hyperspectral imagery along Lake Ontario, USA." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 24, no. 2 (April 1, 2021): 140–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.14321/aehm.024.02.18.
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Abstract Shoreline wetlands along Lake Ontario are valuable, multi-functional resources that have historically provided large numbers of important ecosystem goods and services. However, alterations to the lake’s natural hydrologic regime have impacted traditional meadow marsh in the wetlands, resulting in competition and colonization by dense and aggressive Typha angustifolia and Typha x glauca (Cattails). The shift to a Typha-dominated landscape resulted in an array of negative impacts, including increased Typha density, substantial decreases in plant species richness and diversity, and altered habitat and changes in associated ecosystem services. Successful long-term adaptive management of these wetland resources requires timely and accurate monitoring. Historically, wetland landscapes have been surveyed and mapped using field-based surveys and/or photointerpretation. However, given their resource- and cost-intensive nature, these methods are often prohibitively time- and labor-consuming or geographically limited. Other remote sensing applications can provide more rapid and efficient assessments when evaluating wetland change trajectories or analyzing direct and indirect impacts across larger spatial and temporal scales. The primary goal of this study was to develop and describe methodology using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Coastal Mapping Program hyperspectral imagery, light detection and ranging data, and high-spatial resolution true-color imagery to provide updated wetland classifications for Lake Ontario coastal wetlands. This study used existing field-collected vegetation survey data (Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program), ancillary imagery, and existing classification information as training data for a supervised classification approach. These data were used along with a generalized wetland schema (classes based on physical and biological gradients: elevation, Typha, meadow marsh, mixed emergent, upland vegetation) to generate wetland classification data with Kappa values near 0.85. Ultimately, these data and methods provide helpful knowledge elements that will allow for more efficient inventorying and monitoring of Great Lake resources, forecasting of resource condition and stability, and adaptive management strategies.
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Bell, F. Wayne, Kevin R. Ride, Michel L. St-Amour, and Mark Ryans. "Productivity, cost, efficacy and cost effectiveness of motor-manual, mechanical, and herbicide release of boreal spruce plantations." Forestry Chronicle 73, no. 1 (February 1, 1997): 39–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc73039-1.
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Although the release of spruce plantations with herbicides is an important part of Ontario's reforestation program, the people of Ontario do not support the use of any pesticides in the forest environment. Of the available alternatives, those most feasible for conifer release in northern Ontario appear to be cutting with brush saws and using mechanized cleaning machines. In this study, a component of the Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project, we quantified the relative productivity, costs, treatment efficacy and cost effectiveness of: 1) motor-manual cutting (brush saws), 2) mechanical brush cutting (Silvana Selective/Ford Versatile), 3) helicopter application of Release® (a.i. triclopyr) herbicide, and 4) helicopter application of Vision® (a.i. glyphosate herbicide and compared these to control (untreated) plots. Productivity (productive machine hours ha−1) was lowest for brush saws, followed by Silvana Selective and highest for helicopter operations. Treatment and super-vision costs ($ ha−1) were highest for Silvana Selective, followed by brush saw, Release®, and lowest for Vision®. One year post-treatment, vegetation indices (percent cover × mean height) for non-conifer woody plants decreased in the Vision®, Silvana Selective, Release®, and brush saw treatments respectively and increased on control plots. Vegetation indices for herbaceous plants were lowest for Vision®, followed by brush saw, Silvana Selective, control and highest for Release® plots. The average cost effectiveness ratio was lowest for Vision®, followed by Release®, Silvana Selective, and highest for brush saws. As empirical data from the project becomes available, longer-term economic evaluations will be made. Key words: clearing saws, cleaning, conifer release, cost effectiveness, Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project, glyphosate, herbicides, machine evaluation, productivity, Release®, Silvana Selective, triclopyr, forest vegetation management, Vision®
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Minns, Charles K., Mohiuddin Munawar, Marten A. Koops, and E. Scott Millard. "Long-term ecosystem studies in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, 1972–2008: A prospectus." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 14, no. 1 (February 28, 2011): 3–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2011.551750.
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Munawar, M., and M. Fitzpatrick. "The application of Vollenweider's eutrophication models for assessing ecosystem health: Hamilton Harbour (Lake Ontario) example." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 14, no. 2 (April 2011): 204–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2011.577394.
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vanLoon, G., B. C. Anderson, W. E. Watt, and J. Marsalek. "Characterizing Stormwater Sediments for Ecotoxic Risk." Water Quality Research Journal 35, no. 3 (August 1, 2000): 341–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2000.024.
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Abstract The characteristics of accumulated sediments were investigated, with a focus on selected trace metals, in three Stormwater management facilities and one natural site, all located in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, in Ontario, Canada. This study was conducted in response to concerns expressed by Environment Canada about possible ecosystem impacts by contaminants accumulated in these commonly utilized, passive treatment systems. Also of interest were the effects of facility configuration and operation and maintenance on particulate deposition patterns and resulting exposure risk. This was the first phase of a multidisciplinary study to quantify the risk of ecosystem effects in these systems, and results indicate that there were some significant potential risks present. In addition, results indicate that a simple comparison with provincial sediment quality guidelines may not be sufficient to alert facility owners and operators to these potential risks.
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Hartig, John H., Todd Scott, Gwen Gell, and Kevin Berk. "Reconnecting people to the Detroit River – A transboundary effort." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 25, no. 1 (January 1, 2022): 27–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.14321/aehm.025.01.27.
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Abstract Windsor in Ontario, Canada and Detroit in Michigan, USA are Great Lakes border cities on the Detroit River that have a long history of water pollution. Public outcry over water pollution in the 1960s led to the enactment of environmental laws starting in the early 1970s. As these laws were implemented and water quality improved, citizens started calling for improved public access to the river, including establishing linked riverfront greenways. This paper presents a case study of greenway development in these border cities based on indicator reporting to comprehensively assess ecosystem health. Findings show that waterfront greenways were catalyzed by cleanup of the Detroit River. As greenway systems expanded on both sides of the border, greenway stakeholders began to envision cross-border greenway connections that would stimulate ecotourism, help encourage healthy lifestyles, and enhance quality of life in southwest Ontario and southeast Michigan. Recommended next steps include investing in greenway capacity building, identifying and testing creative financing options for greenways, formalizing institutional arrangements between Canada and the United States for a binational greenway network, and strengthening cross-border greenway connections by reestablishing a cross-border ferry, offering free access to the tunnel bus on weekends for cyclists, and hosting Windsor-Detroit open streets’ events. Robust transboundary greenway partnerships are critical to realizing the full potential of cross border greenway systems, including expanding outdoor recreation and ecotourism, conserving natural resources, and inspiring a stewardship ethic for shared ecosystems.
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Bleser, Claire S., and Kristen C. Nelson. "Climate change and water governance: an International Joint Commission case study." Water Policy 13, no. 6 (May 28, 2011): 877–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wp.2011.073.
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Governance has been identified by many scholars as a challenge to managing natural resources in a sustainable way. In addition, climate change is impacting natural resources, and complicating management. In light of these concerns, it is important that key characteristics of sustainable management are not ignored. Scientific legitimacy, an integrative ecosystem approach, long-term monitoring and pro-active governance are all important characteristics of successful sustainable management plans. However, these characteristics have not all been included in the day-to-day functioning of the International Joint Commission. This paper looks specifically at the key characteristics required for sustainable management of transboundary water resources and determines if the International Joint Commission, and particularly the International Rainy Lake Board of Control, are applying them to policies for regulation and management of border waters shared by Ontario (Canada) and Minnesota (USA).
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Bowman, Jeff, and Jean-François Robitaille. "An assessment of expert-based marten habitat models used for forest management in Ontario." Forestry Chronicle 81, no. 6 (November 1, 2005): 801–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc81801-6.
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We used marten snow tracking data and a previously developed empirical habitat model from northeastern Ontario to validate a number of expert-based, non-spatial marten habitat models. In particular, we tested the non-spatial Ontario Wildlife Habitat Analysis Model, the Boreal East Habitat Suitability Matrix (including tests of both standard forest units and development stages), and Allen's (1982) HSI model. Marten habitat use as measured by tracks in the snow was consistent with predictions of all the expert-based models, suggesting that these models correctly characterized the stand-level forest cover selected by marten in winter. Suitability ranks for individual stands derived from standard forest units and development stages also were consistent with their use by marten. The empirical model was consistent with the expert-based models in that it considered suitable forest stands to be those with tall trees dominated by spruce (Picea spp.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees, with a large amount of coarse woody debris, and high canopy closure. Our findings suggested that the expert-based models were able to characterize stand structure used by marten despite some of the models using only inputs available from stand inventories. This was accomplished because stand structural elements such as coarse woody debris were integrated into OWHAM and HSM indirectly, through relationships with stand age and species composition. Key words: boreal forest, forest inventory, habitat, habitat suitability, guidelines, Forest Ecosystem Classification, landscape, Martes americana, resource selection, snow tracking, spatial autocorrelation, stand structure
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Pluscauskas, Michael, Matthew Henderson, Jennifer Milburn, and Pranesh Chakraborty. "Building a Newborn Screening Information Management System from Theory to Practice." International Journal of Neonatal Screening 5, no. 1 (January 23, 2019): 9. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijns5010009.
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Information Management Systems are the central process management and communication hub for many newborn screening programs. In late 2014, Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) undertook an end to end assessment of its information management needs which resulted in a project to develop a flexible IS Information Systems (IS) ecosystem and related process changes. This enabled NSO to better manage its current and future work-flows and communication needs. An idealized vision of a Screening Information Management System (SIMS) was developed that was refined into enterprise and functional architectures. This was followed by the development of technical specifications, user requirements and procurement. In undertaking a holistic full product lifecycle redesign approach, a number of change management challenges were faced by NSO across the entire program. Strong leadership support and full program engagement are key for overall project success. It is anticipated that improvements in program flexibility and the ability to innovate will outweigh the efforts and costs.
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Munawar, M., M. Fitzpatrick, I. F. Munawar, H. Niblock, and D. Kane. "Assessing ecosystem health impairments using a battery of ecological indicators: Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario example." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 15, no. 4 (December 2012): 430–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2012.731367.
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Venier, L. A., T. T. Work, J. Klimaszewski, D. M. Morris, J. J. Bowden, M. M. Kwiaton, K. Webster, and P. Hazlett. "Ground-dwelling arthropod response to fire and clearcutting in jack pine: implications for ecosystem management." Canadian Journal of Forest Research 47, no. 12 (December 2017): 1614–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2017-0145.
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We tested the response of species composition of three dominant litter-dwelling arthropod taxa (carabid beetles, spiders, and rove beetles) to wildfire and harvest. This study was conducted in north-central Ontario (47°42′N, 83°36′W) in jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) dominated stands in 2013 using pitfall trapping. Using 222 species (12 015 individuals), we compared the effects of disturbance using recently burned (3 years since fire) and clearcut sites (3 years since harvest; tree length, full tree, stump removal, and blading), as well as older, closed-canopy stands that have regenerated following clearcutting (51 years since harvest) and fire (92 years since fire), with multivariate regression trees. Taxa were more similar in the three controls (including recent fire) than between controls and harvest treatments, with increased forest floor disturbance in harvested plots being a likely explanation. In addition, taxa were different in the younger (51 years) harvest-origin plots than in the older (92 years) fire-origin plots, suggesting that communities had not yet recovered from the harvest disturbance possibly due to insufficient coarse woody debris in the younger stand. These results indicate that forest management practices that match natural forest floor disturbance could ameliorate short-term effects, whereas the maintenance of more coarse woody debris could reduce the recovery time of epigaeic communities.
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Quinlan, Roberto, Roland I. Hall, Andrew M. Paterson, Brian F. Cumming, and John P. Smol. "Long-term assessments of ecological effects of anthropogenic stressors on aquatic ecosystems from paleoecological analyses: challenges to perspectives of lake management." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65, no. 5 (May 1, 2008): 933–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f08-027.
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Paleolimnological techniques are important for determining background ecological conditions and ecosystem responses to stressors when long-term data sets are absent. Research at the Dorset Environmental Sciences Centre (Ontario, Canada) has included paleolimnological studies to determine the effects of anthropogenic stressors on shield lakes, including eutrophication, acidic deposition, and climate change. Diatom-based total phosphorus (TP) inferences suggest that [TP] has declined in some lakes, despite increased inputs from anthropogenic sources. When coupled with siliceous algae-based pH inferences that suggest landscape-scale long-term acidification, these results indicate that the ecological effects of anthropogenic P inputs are being masked by the cumulative effects of multiple stressors. Detailed stratigraphic analyses of lakes that have experienced severe anthropogenic disturbances indicate that despite measured and inferred recovery in epilimnetic [TP] to predisturbance concentrations, pelagic communities have not recovered to predisturbance community composition; profundal communities and the variables associated with water quality (e.g., hypolimnetic oxygen) have also not recorded recovery. This suggests that (i) typical modeling approaches to quantify the effects of anthropogenic inputs on lake water [TP] should be used with caution and (ii) lake management approaches that follow the paradigm of “water quality recovery = biological recovery” may not be applicable to ecosystems being affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors.
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Hoyle, James A., Christine M. Boston, Cindy Chu, Michael J. Yuille, Rick Portiss, and Robert G. Randall. "Fish community indices of ecosystem health: How does Toronto Harbour compare to other Lake Ontario nearshore areas?" Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 21, no. 3 (July 3, 2018): 306–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2018.1502562.
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Pitt, D. G., Andrée E. Morneault, Philip Bunce, and F. Wayne Bell. "Five Years of Vegetation Succession Following Vegetation Management Treatments in a Jack Pine Ecosystem." Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 17, no. 3 (September 1, 2000): 100–109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/njaf/17.3.100.
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Abstract Five years of data on vegetation dynamics and succession are provided for six operational release treatments applied to three 2- to 4-yr-old jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) plantations in central Ontario. Treatments included 3 yr of annual noncrop vegetation removal, conventional aerial spray with glyphosate (1.42 kg ae/ha), ground application of glyphosate with a mist blower, basal-bark application of triclopyr, motor-manual cutting (brush saw), and no treatment. Conventional aerial spraying and annual removal resulted in the greatest jack pine crop growth, with trees exceeding 90% crown closure, 7 cm in groundline diameter, and 3 m in height (stem volume index = 5.1 dm³) after 5 growing seasons. The cover of herbaceous plants was highest (30–50%) in the aerial spray plots during the observation period. Deciduous tree, shrub, and fern species remained well represented on these plots, although total cover and height were low (≤ 35% and 1 m, respectively). Mist-blower and brush-saw plots contained mid-sized pine (3.5 dm³) with 69% crown closure. In contrast, untreated and basal-bark plots contained the smallest pine (2.3 dm3 and 31% crown closure), likely caused by heavy competition and herbicide damage, respectively. On mist-blower and basal-bark plots, good height growth was observed on untreated deciduous trees; low-shrub and fern cover remained high (46 and 30%, respectively); and herbaceous cover increased gradually to 22%. On brush-saw plots, recovery of woody cover was rapid, but height growth was relatively slow. Deciduous trees and tall shrubs dominated untreated sites (> 70% cover) by the end of the fifth growing season. Successional trends suggest that aerial spray and annual removal treatments will produce pure jack pine stands at maturity; mist blower, basal bark, and brush-saw treatments may produce mixedwood stands; and untreated plots will likely be dominated by hardwoods. North. J. Appl. For. 17(3):100–109.
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Lautenschlager, R. A., F. Wayne Bell, and Robert G. Wagner. "Alternative conifer release treatments affect small mammals in northwestern Ontario." Forestry Chronicle 73, no. 1 (February 1, 1997): 99–106. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc73099-1.
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Density changes of small mammals responding to different conifer release treatments (motor-manual [brush saw] cutting; mechanical [Silvana Selective] cutting; helicopter-applied herbicides [Release® (a.i. triclopyr), Vision® (a.i. glyphosate)]; controls [no treatment] were quantified. A total of 4,851 small mammals were captured and released during the three-year study. The most commonly captured (81% of total) species were: shrews (masked [Sorex cinereus Kerr], pygmy [S. hoyi Baird], arctic S. arcticus Kerr]), southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors), and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner). Northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda Say), eastern (Tamias striants L.) and least (T. minimus Bachman) chipmunks, meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord), ermine (Mustela erminea L.), and meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius Zimm.) were common. Shrew (masked, pygmy, arctic, short-tailed) densities were statistically unaffected by these treatments. Red-backed vole densities were highest on control plots during the first post-treatment growing season, and highest on control and Vision® plots during the second post-treatment growing season. During the first two growing seasons after treatment, deer mouse densities were highest on Silvana Selective plots; eastern chipmunk densities were highest on control, Vision® and Silvana Selective plots; least chipmunk densities were highest on Vision® and Release® plots; and meadow vole densities were highest on Release® plots. Small mammal responses to the alternative conifer release treatments examined were species specific one and two-growing seasons post-treatment, but similar to responses common to the standard (Vision® herbicide) conifer release treatment. Key words: conifer release, Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project, glyphosate, herbicides, Release®, small mammals, spruce plantation, triclopyr, vegetation management alternatives, Vision®, wildlife habitat
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Layton, K. K. S., C. P. K. Warne, A. Nicolai, A. Ansart, and J. R. deWaard. "Molecular evidence for multiple introductions of the banded grove snail (Cepaea nemoralis) in North America." Canadian Journal of Zoology 97, no. 4 (April 2019): 392–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2018-0084.
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Global identification and monitoring programs for invasive species aim to reduce imminent impacts to biodiversity, ecosystem services, agriculture, and human health. This study employs a 658 base pair fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to identify and categorize clades of the banded grove snail (Cepaea nemoralis (Linnaeus, 1758)) from native (European) and introduced (North American) ranges using a maximum-likelihood phylogeny and haplotype networks. This work corroborates the existence of eight clades within C. nemoralis and further identified three clades that were common to both Europe and North America (A, D, O). Clades A and D were found in eastern Canada, Ontario (Canada), and British Columbia (Canada), whereas clade O was restricted to Ontario, possibly introduced from Poland or central Europe. Haplotype networks suggest clade A was introduced from northern Europe, whereas clade D was introduced from western and central Europe. Networks contained many private haplotypes and a lack of haplotype sharing, suggesting strong genetic structure in this system, possibly resulting from reduced dispersal in this species. This study describes the contemporary distribution of C. nemoralis in Canada and demonstrates the efficacy of DNA barcoding for monitoring the spread of invasive species, warranting its widespread adoption in management policies.
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McKinney, Paul, Tom Hollenhorst, and Joel Hoffman. "Autonomous underwater glider observations in southern Lake Ontario and Niagara River plume." Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 25, no. 1 (January 1, 2022): 102–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.14321/aehm.025.01.102.
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Abstract The nearshore areas of the Laurentian Great Lakes provide valuable ecosystem services including habitat for a variety of species and water for surrounding communities. Recent declines in nearshore water quality have increased the need for understanding the connectivity between nearshore and offshore areas; however observing water quality variability across the dynamic nearshore to offshore transition zone poses logistical challenges for traditional observing systems. Here we evaluate cross-shore and along-shore water quality gradients using observations from two three-week deployments of a Slocum autonomous glider in southern Lake Ontario. The glider was deployed between the Niagara River mouth and Rochester, NY during early and late summer 2018, and each deployment resulted in over 3000 vertical profiles of the water column and several transects between 2 km and 20 km from shore. In early summer, the cross-shore chlorophyll gradient was characterized by highest values just below the surface, at the frontal zone between weakly stratified conditions closer to shore and unstratified conditions offshore. In late summer, stratified conditions extended across the entire survey area. The depth of the thermocline was deeper and chlorophyll values were lower within 10 km of shore than offshore, where the highest chlorophyll values were observed in a distinct layer below the thermocline. In both early and late summer, the frontal boundary indicated by the cross-shore chlorophyll gradient was located below the surface and well offshore of what is typically considered the nearshore zone but was within the width of the coastal boundary layer. The high-resolution glider observations provide a detailed view of patterns of variability across a dynamic coastal zone and pinpoint the cross-shore frontal boundary that may be important for biologists to differentiate biological communities.
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Bell, F. Wayne, R. A. Lautenschlager, Robert G. Wagner, Doug G. Pitt, John W. Hawkins, and Kevin R. Ride. "Motor–manual, mechanical, and herbicide release affect early successional vegetation in northwestern Ontario." Forestry Chronicle 73, no. 1 (February 1, 1997): 61–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc73061-1.
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Cover and height of vegetation before and one growing season after: 1) motor-manual cutting, 2) mechanical brush cutting (Silvana Selective/Ford Versatile), 3) aerial application of Release® (a.i. triclopyr) herbicide, 4) aerial application of Vision® (a.i. glyphosate) herbicide, and 5) control (no treatment) were quantified. Multivariate analysis permitted the study of vegetation response as a whole, while accounting for correlations that exist among the individual vegetation groups. Univariate analysis were used to study the responses of individual vegetation groups. Although no pre-treatment differences in percent cover were observed (P = 0.128), deciduous tree, shrub, forb, grass, and sedge groups responded differently to the treatments after one growing season (P < 0.018). Post-treatment cover of deciduous tree and shrub groups was lower in herbicide treated plots than in cut plots. Forb, grass and sedge covers varied greatly among treatments. Brush saw and Silvana Selective treatments decreased cover of deciduous trees. Release® decreased cover of deciduous trees and shrubs. Vision® decreased cover of deciduous trees, shrubs and ferns. Cover of all vegetation groups increased on the untreated control. Among the conifer release treatments examined, Vision® reduced woody and herbaceous vegetation most. Key words: clearing saw, conifer release, Falingsnow Ecosystem Project, glyphosate, herbicides, Release®, Silvana Selective, spruce, triclopyr, vegetation management, Vision®.
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Brousseau, C. M., R. G. Randall, J. A. Hoyle, and C. K. Minns. "Fish community indices of ecosystem health: How does the Bay of Quinte compare to other coastal sites in Lake Ontario?" Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 14, no. 1 (February 28, 2011): 75–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2011.547331.
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Parker, William H., Annette Van Niejenhuis, and Joell Ward. "Genecological variation corresponding to Forest Ecosystem Classification vegetation and soil types for jack pine and black spruce from northwestern Ontario." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 39, no. 1-3 (January 1996): 589–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00396171.
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Zhou, Xiaolu, Changhui Peng, Qing-Lai Dang, Jiaxin Chen, and Sue Parton. "Predicting forest growth and yield in northeastern Ontario using the process-based model of TRIPLEX1.0." Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35, no. 9 (September 1, 2005): 2268–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x05-149.
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Process-based carbon dynamic models are rarely validated against traditional forest growth and yield data and are difficult to use as a practical tool for forest management. To bridge the gap between empirical and process-based models, a simulation using a hybrid model of TRIPLEX1.0 was performed for the forest growth and yield of the boreal forest ecosystem in the Lake Abitibi Model Forest in northeastern Ontario. The model was tested using field measurements, forest inventory data, and the normal yield table. The model simulations of tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) showed a good agreement with measurements for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). The coefficients of determination (R2) between simulated values and permanent sample plot measurements were 0.92 for height and 0.95 for DBH. At the landscape scale, model predictions were compared with forest inventory data and the normal yield table. The R2 ranged from 0.73 to 0.89 for tree height and from 0.72 to 0.85 for DBH. The simulated basal area is consistent with the normal yield table. The R2 for basal area ranged from 0.82 to 0.96 for black spruce, jack pine, and trembling aspen for each site class. This study demonstrated the feasibility of testing the performance of the process-based carbon dynamic model using traditional forest growth and yield data and the ability of the TRIPLEX1.0 model for predicting growth and yield variables. The current work also introduces a means to test model accuracy and its prediction of forest stand variables to provide a complement to empirical growth and yield models for forest management practices, as well as for investigating climate change impacts on forest growth and yield in regions without sufficient established permanent sample plots and remote areas without suitable field measurements.
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Medland, Sally J., Richard R. Shaker, K. Wayne Forsythe, Brian R. Mackay, and Greg Rybarczyk. "A multi-Criteria Wetland Suitability Index for Restoration across Ontario’s Mixedwood Plains." Sustainability 12, no. 23 (November 28, 2020): 9953. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12239953.
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Significant wetland loss (~72%; 1.4 million hectares) in the Province of Ontario, Canada, has resulted in damage to important ecosystem services that mitigate the effects of global change. In response, major agencies have set goals to halt this loss and work to restore wetlands to varying degrees of function and area. To aid those agencies, this study was guided by four research questions: (i) Which physical and ecological landscape criteria represent high suitability for wetland reconstruction? (ii) Of common wetland suitability metrics, which are most important? (iii) Can a multi-criteria wetland suitability index (WSI) effectively locate high and low wetland suitability across the Ontario Mixedwood Plains Ecozone? (iv) How do best sites from the WSI compare and contrast to both inventories of presettlement wetlands and current existing wetlands? The WSI was created based on seven criteria, normalized from 0 (low suitability) to 10 (high suitability), and illustrated through a weighted composite raster. Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and importance determined from a scoping review of relevant literature, soil drainage had the greatest meaning and weight within the WSI (48.2%). The Getis-Ord Gi* index charted statistically significant “hot spots” and “cold spots” of wetland suitability. Last, the overlay analysis revealed greater similarity between high suitability sites and presettlement wetlands supporting the severity of historic wetland cannibalization. In sum, this transferable modeling approach to regional wetland restoration provides a prioritization tool for improving ecological connectivity, services, and resilience.
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Watson, S. B., M. Charlton, Y. R. Rao, T. Howell, J. Ridal, B. Brownlee, C. Marvin, and S. Millard. "Off flavours in large waterbodies: physics, chemistry and biology in synchrony." Water Science and Technology 55, no. 5 (March 1, 2007): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2007.155.
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The Laurentian Great Lakes of North America are a drinking water source for millions of Canadian and US consumers. These waterbodies have undergone extensive change over the past century as a result of widespread degradation and remediation. Many of the Lakes are prone to taste and odour (T&O), and although these outbreaks have been poorly monitored, evidence suggests that they are increasing in frequency. Tracing and controlling T&O in such large systems presents a challenging task, due to their physical size and complexity. This paper presents an overview of recent investigative and management approaches to T&O in Lake Ontario and its outflow, the St. Lawrence River. We have identified three distinct patterns of T&O in these source-waters, caused by geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol and differing in their planktonic and benthic sources, and temporal and spatial dynamics. Each pattern has required a different approach by scientists and management, in partnership with the water industry. We have shown these T&O outbreaks are caused and moderated by physical, chemical and biological mechanisms over a spectrum of spatial and temporal scales. Canadian municipalities affected by these outbreaks have been key to the investigation of the links between T&O and ecosystem processes with the aim to develop more proactive water treatment and long-term management.