notes

Ecosystems of Ontario, Part 1:

Ecozones

climate, soil, biology

Ecoregions 5E

Ecodistrict

ottawa river watershed

coltsfoot

phragmites

3% of world's freshwater in quebec

not a settlement river

3 dams 1920

logging ended 1992

Shoreline flora

In‐stream vegetation includes algae and macrophytes (larger aquatic plants.) Because the Gatineau River is alternately a fast‐moving river and a series of deep ponds, in‐stream vegetation is relatively rare along its course, and is mostly associated with its wetlands

Riparian refers to plant life that is located on the bank of a natural watercourse. Riparian vegetation is essential to the health of rivers. It stabilizes riverbanks, prevents runoff, and helps with flood control

dogwoods, willows, alders

Canopy s composed of a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees

Ottawa watershed

The Ottawa River is one of the most highly regulated rivers in Canada, with over 50 major dams and hydro-electric generating stations scattered throughout its tributaries and mainstem. If you count all the smaller water control dams in the river system, there are hundreds of dams throughout the watershed. For example, on the Mississippi River alone there are over 30 water control structures.

Gatineau River 386 km

Clean water

Each mussel filters up to 38 litres (about 8 gallons) of water per day. Because mussels, which are also called clams, feed on single-celled algae and bacteria such as E. coli, their importance in keeping the water clean cannot be underestimated.

Natural wetland the “earth’s kidneys”

Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, are deposited into wetlands from stormwater runoff, from areas where fertilizers or manure have been applied and from leaking septic fields. These excess nutrients are often absorbed by wetland soils and taken up by plants and microorganisms. For example, wetland microbes can convert organic nitrogen into useable, inorganic forms (NO3 and NH4 ) that are necessary for plant growth and into gasses that escape to the atmosphere.

4 types of wetlands are recognized in Ontario:

• • bogs and fens, often called peatlands, are common in northern Ontario

  • marshes, the most common type, are periodically or permanently flooded with water. They contain plants like cattails and water lilies