AIRPHOTO INTERPRETATION bird and hale ltd. BIOPHYSICAL INVENTORY AND CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND BIOLOGISTS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT l REFUSE AND SOLID 1263 BAY STREET - . WASTE SYSTEMS TORONTO, ONTARIO M5R 2C1 REMOTE SENSING 416-925-1147
S.J. GLENN BIRD, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., O.L.S. MEMBER: Association of IAN M. HALE, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Consulting Engineers of Canada l l 31Ge7NW8881 63.4497 ALFRED 010 l THE ALFRED BOG l PEATLAND INVENTORY AND EVALUATION l l l prepared for 586565 Ontario Inc. l c/o Hardee Farms International Inc l l by l Bird and Hale Limited l l l l November, 1984. File No. 84-135 l l l Exectutive Summary l Study Area Location The Alfred Bog is located in Alfred and Caledonia Townships in Prescott County. It is situated between Highways 17 and 417 and is accessible from Ottawa by driving east for l approximately one hour on Highway 17 to the town of Alfred and then south 5 km. l The total area of the bog is reported to be approximately 4,000 hectares, of which 1,500 hectares are owned by Hardee Farms International Limited. The latter portion of the bog l forms the study area (shown on Key Map 1). Objectives l The primary objectives of this study are, to inventory the peat resources of the study area and to determine the potential for development of these resources for the l extraction of fuel and horticultural peat and agricultural l use. Study Method The objectives of the study were accomplished through; review l of available published data, detailed field investigation, laboratory analysis of peat and agricultural soil samples, and evaluation of the data acquired to determine the l development potentials of the peat resources. l Potential for Utilization The general criteria that affect the overall utilization l potential of the peat resources of the study area are: access, climate, topography, drainage, vegetation, stump content, and previous uses and modifications. Summaries of l these criteria follow. Access l The Alfred Bog is located approximately 75 km from Ottawa and 110 km from Montreal. Access is available via numerous hard and loose surface all weather roads. A Canadian Pacific l Railway line is located 5 km north of the study area. The proximity and accessibility to these potential markets l enhance the development potential of the peat resources. l l i l Climate The climate is conducive to the harvest of peat resources t Southern Ontario has been rated as having the most favourable l conditions within Ontario for traditional peat harvesting methods. l Climatic conditions are also acceptable for production of a wide range of field crops. l Topography The domed and elevated nature of the study area will l facilitate development of an effective drainage network and l grading of production fields to promote good site drainage. Drainage The existing municipal drainage network and drainage ditches l within the study area should be suitable as drainage outlets. Potential appears to be good for improving site drainage through clearing and extension of existing, and construction l of additional, drainage ditches. l Vegetation The open, as opposed to treed, nature of the majority of the study area will minimize the cost of clearing the pentland l surface. l Stump Content The stump content of the peat is low and is anticipated to l pose only minor constraints to development. Previous Uses and Modifications l Historically, portions of the Alfred Bog have been used for agriculture and for peat extraction. The associated modifications, such as draining and clearing, should be l permitted to continue. However, measures should be taken to ensure that detrimental environmental impacts to adjacent l lands do not occur. Potential for Extraction of Fuel and Horticultural Peat l The specific criteria that determine the suitability of the study area for the extraction of fuel and horticultural peat l are described below. l 11 l
l Area and Depth The Hardee Farms property has a total area of 1,500 hectares l of which 1,479 hectares are considered to be suitable for development of peat extraction operations (i.e. area with peat depth in excess of 1.2 m). The peat depth ranges from 1.2 to 7.1 metres and the average depth is 4.5 metres. The l suitable area and average depth are far in excess of those considered necessary for development of peat extraction l operations. l Volume The Hardee Farms holdings are estimated to contain a total of approximately 67.36 million cubic metres of peat in the area that is considered suitable for development of peat l extraction operations.
l Fuel Peat Extraction Potential is good for extraction of a large volume of good l quality fuel grade peat from the Hardee Farms holdings on the Alfred Bog. It is estimated that a total volume of 56.72 million cubic metres of fuel grade peat is available for harvest. This would produce an estimated 28.36 million l cubic metres of final product (milled fuel peat at 507o moisture content). This fuel peat has an average calorific value of 4813 calories per gram, an average ash content of l 5.757o, and an average sulfur content of Q.044%. l Horticultural Peat Extraction All of the peat in the study area (67.36 million cubic l metres) is suitable for horticultural use. Two types of horticultural peat occur, these are sphagnum peat moss (6.94 million cubic metres) and reed-sedge peat (60.42 million l cubic metres). The sphagnum peat moss occurs as a continuous surface stratum across the majority of the property, it ranges from O to 1.3 metres and averages 0.5 metres in depth. An estimated 6.94 million cubic metres of sphagnum moss peat occur in the study area. This should produce approximately 1,62 million cubic metres of good quality horticultural sphagnum moss peat at I 507o moisture content. An estimated total of 60.42 million cubic metres of reed- l sedge peat occur. This should produce approximately 28.36 million cubic metres of harvested final product at 5070 l moisture content. This is the good qualitiy fuel grade peat l 111 l referred to in the previous section, however it is also l suitable for uses as horticultural peat. l Potential For Agricultural Use The study area can be made suitable for agricultural use through, draining, clearing of surface vegetation, liming and fertilization. These are standard management techniques for l agricultural use of peatlands.
l Recommendations It is recommended that an economic feasibility study be l conducted prior to development of the study area for the previously described uses. This study should include determination of the bog development costs and market l analysis. If development for any, or all, of the described uses is determined to be economically feasible a development plan l should be prepared. This plan should include preparation of a drainage plan and determination of the environmental impli l cations that are specific to the intended use. l l l l l l l l l l IV l 3IG(S7NWe0ei 63.4497 ALFRED 010C l TABLE OF C EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i l 1. INTRODUCTION l 1.1 Study Area Location l 1.2 Objectives l l 1.3 Scope 3
l 2. PROCEDURES 2.1 Preliminary Investigations 4 l 2.2 Field Investigations 4 2.3 Data Analysis 6 l 3. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSION 3.1 Climate 9 l 3.2 Geology and Geomorphology 11 3.3 Peatland Formation 12 3.4 Area and Shape 12 l 3.5 Topography 14 3.6 Drainage 14 3.7 Vegetation 17 3.8 Peat Characteristics 21 l i) Peat Depth 21 ii) Peat Type 23 iii) Peat Humification 23 l 3.9 Peat Volumes 24 3.10 Stump Content 24 3.11 Previous Modifications and Uses 25 l 3.12 Present Use 27 3.13 Potential For Utilization 27 i) Potential for Fuel Peat Extraction 29 ii) Potential for Horticultural Peat Extraction 32 l iii) Potential for Agriculture 35 l APPENDICES Appendix A Ground Photographs 37 l Appendix B Site Data Record Sheet 41 Appendix C - Keys to Peatland Classification 43 Appendix D Peat Type Classification 55 Appendix E Identification of Peat Types 59 l Appendix F Laboratory Results 61 Appendix G Von Post Scale of Decomposition (Humification) 74 l Appendix H Calculation of Stump Content 77 Appendix I Classification of Peat and Peat Moss 79 l Appendix J References 81 l l l Table of Contents cont©d page TABLES l Table l - Climatic Data Summary 10 Table 2 - Summary of Vegetation Cover Types 18 Table 3 - Tree Cover Analysis 19 l Table 4 - Dominant Vegetation Species 22 Table 5 - Average Peat Depths 21 Table 6 - Peat Volumes 24 l Table 7 - Fuel Peat Characteristics 31 l FIGURES AND MAPS Key Map I - Alfred Bog Study Area 2 Key Map II - Past and Present Extent of the l Alfred Bog 13 Figure l - Drainage Ditch Profiles 16 Dwg. No. l - Base Map Inside Back Cover Dwg. No. 2 - Elevation Map " l Dwg. No. 3 - Isopach Map " Dwg. No. 4 - Peatland Classification Map " Peat Type and Peat Humification Profiles: l B200S to B2200N " B2400N to B4800N " B5000N to B7400N " l LOGO " L1000N " L2000N " L3000N " l L4000N " L5000N " L6000N " l L7000N " l l l l l l l l 1 u* INTRPPUCTION
1.1 Study Area Location 1 The Alfred Bog is located in Alfred and Caledonia Townships in Prescott County. The total area of the bog is reported to be approximately 4,000 hectares (Cuddy, 1982), of which 1,500 1 hectares are owned by Hardee Farms International Limited. The legal description of the Hardee Farms holdings is: 1 Township of Alfred - Part of the Gore, Concession X 1 Lots 7,8,9, and Gore, Concession XI Lots 3-7 inclusive, and Gore, Concession XII Part of Lots 4 and 5, Concession XIII 1 Township of Caledonia - Lots 19 to 24 inclusive, Concession III 1 Part of Lots 19, 20, 21 and Lots 22, 23 and 24, Concession IV 1 Part of Lots 23 and 24, Concession V The Alfred Bog is located between Highways 17 and 417 and is accessible from Ottawa by driving east for approximately one hour on Highway 17 to the town of Alfred and then south 1 5 km. The locations of the Alfred Bog and the study area 1 are shown on Key Map 1. 1.2 Objectives 1 The primary objectives of this study are: i) to inventory the type, depth, degree of humifica tion, and volume of peat contained in the Hardee 1 Farms International Limited holdings on the Alfred Bog. 1 ii) to prepare surface and bottom contour maps of the peatland within the study area. 1 iii) to map the vegetation communities that occur on the deposit (i.e., bog, fen, swamp, marsh), and determine the dominant species and character 1 istics. iv) to undertake a preliminary evaluation of the 1 effects of ditching on the peatland. 1 1 1 Key Hap I Alfred Bog Study Area
SCALE l : 63,360 l Scope l This project was designed to survey the peat resources of the Hardee Farms holdings on the Alfred Bog. The informa tion contained in this report was acquired through review of existing documents, airphoto interpretation, field l investigation, and peat sample analysis. Preliminary evaluation of future uses of the Bog resources l is based on physical and biological information obtained during this study and does not include social or economic l considerations. l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l 2. W PROCEDURES The majority of the field investigation and data analysis methods are those established by the Ontario Geological l Survey, "Peatlands Inventory Project Specifications" (Ont ario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1984). l Details of the study method are provided in the following l sections of the report. 2.1 Preliminary Investigations Available information, such as the "Report on Agriculture l and Peat Potential of the Hardee Farms International Prop erty, Alfred Bog" conducted by Limnoterra and the results of peatland inventories conducted in the vicinity by the l Ontario Geological Survey, were reviewed. Airphoto interpretation was undertaken to prepare prelim l inary mapping of the boundaries, surface characteristics (i.e. drainage ditches, areas of ponded water) and the peatland formations (i.e. fen, bog, swamp, marsh) occurring l within the study area. The data review and peatland mapping facilitated final de l sign of the field procedures and survey grid. l 2.2 Field Investigations The field investigations can be divided into the following four catagories: surveying and line cutting; peat inventory l and sampling; vegetation inventory; and, drainage analysis. Surveying and Line Cutting l The field survey grid was designed such that grid lines traversed, and sample points were located within all of the l major vegetative cover types. The grid lines were cut and the peat sampling points established as shown in Photo No. l, Appendix A (Location l Dwg. No.l). The sample points were clearly marked to permit future iden tification. Using the Ontario Basic Mapping (scale 1:10,000, l Ministry of Natural Resources) a base map of the study area and environs was prepared. This was used as a base map for presentation of the survey grid (Dwg. No. 1), elevation data l (Dwg. No. 2), peatland classification mapping (vegetative cover type (Dwg. No. 3)), and the isopach data (peat depth and degree of humification (Dwg. No. 4)). An elevation l survey of the entire grid was conducted on the ground and the l l M A elevations of the Bog were tied to the geodetic datum l (A.S.L.). Line cutting and surveying were conducted between " June 11 and July 11, 1984. I -^Peat Inventory and Sampling The following data were acquired at each of the sample B points indicated on Dwg. No. 1. - total peat depth l - the peat types (plant constituents such as sedge, moss, wood) and humifications (degree of decomposi tion of plant matter) of strata comprising the l total depth - the fibre content and moisture level of the various B strata - the depth to water table I - the pH of the water measured using a portable pH meter that was calibrated each day l - the type of basal sediment (clay, sand) - the density of stumps in the vicinity of each sample point, in the top 2 m, as determined by ten l probings These data were recorded on the "Site Data Record Sheets", the originals of which have been submitted to the client l with this report. An example of the "Site Data Record Sheets" is included as Appendix B. l The peat inventory was conducted by two-person crews. These crews obtained continuous peat cores, from surface to the basal sediment at each sampling point. The peat cores were obtained using hand operated mini-McCauley peat samplers with l 5 cm by 100 cm sample chambers. During these field investigations samples of the upper 60 cm l of peat were acquired from approximately every third sample point. These samples were shipped to the University of Guelph for agricultural suitability analysis. Continuous l observations were made along the survey lines to identify such features as drainage channels or ditches and signs of previous human activity. These field investigations were l conducted between July 16, and 26, 1984. Four continuous top-to-bottom peat core samples were obtained from the locations shown on Dwg. No. 1. These samples were l obtained between September 12, and 14, 1984 and were frozen for subsequent shipment to Technical Services Laboratories l for analysis. l l Vegetation Inventory l Airphoto interpretation permitted preliminary mapping of the vegetation cover types that occur on the peatland. This mapping facilitated design of the survey grid such that the l survey lines traversed and the sample points were located within all of the major vegetation cover types. Simultaneous with the peat inventory, a vegetation inventory was conducted l at each sample point. The wetland classification, the Rad- forth cover type, the species type, height and densities were recorded on the "Site Data Record Sheets" (Appendix B). Continuous observations were made along the survey lines to l facilitate identification of cover type boundaries. l Drainage Analysis To utilize the resources of the peatland, either in situ or through extraction, it would be necessary to improve the site l drainage. This may be accomplished through the construction of drainage ditches. The zone of influence of drainage ditches constructed on a peatland is related primarily to the composition (i.e., wood or sedge peat, etc.) and degree of l humification of the peat. Therefore, it was deemed advisable to determine the zone of influence of drainage ditches that l may be constructed in the Alfred Bog. Simultaneous with acquisition of the peat cores for detailed analysis, investigations of the zone of influence of the l drainage ditches were conducted. These investigations con sisted of excavation of a series of test holes, using the mini-McCauley peat sampler, at 5 metre intervals on both sides of two existing drainage ditches. The depth to ground- l water table was recorded at each interval. Depth to ground- water table was also measured at a number of locations that would be outside the zone of influence of any drainage l ditches. The locations of these test sites are shown on Dwg. No. 1. The results of these investigations were analysed to l estimate the zone of influence of the ditches. 2.3 Data Analysis l All data analysis, with the exception of laboratory analysis of peat samples, were undertaken by the persons who conducted the field investigations and are most familiar with condi l tions on the Bog. Preliminary analysis of the peat inventory data was conducted prior to acquisition of the continuous top-to-bottom peat cores for laboratory analysis. This pre l liminary analysis facilitated the identification of areas that contain peat having similar characteristics (i.e., peat components, humification, etc.) and thus permitted represent ative sampling and laboratory analysis of the various peat l types occurring within the peatland. These samples were l analyzed for the following: l l m - CEC (cation exchange capacity) - pH in water l - pH in calcium chloride - conductivity B - rubbed fibre content m - moisture level - bulk density l - absorptive capacity (the above analyses are undertaken on the wet sample. The B subsequent analyses occur on a dry, blended sample.) - ash content l - volatiles - calorific value - total carbon B - nitrogen - carbon: nitrogen ratio (calculated) l - multi-element analysis for nitrogen, hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen, silver, nickle, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, aluminum, iron, lead, manganese, copper, l and zinc The soil samples that were obtained to permit evaluation of B the .agricultural suitability were analyzed for the following - phosphorus l - potassium - - soil pH l - buffer pH B - magnesium - texture
Analysis of the effects of existing drainage ditches on the peatland consisted of preparing profiles of the water table l l elevations adjacent to the drainage ditches and determining A the zones of influence of the ditches. * The results of these analyses, and comments regarding the suitability of the peatland for various uses (i.e., extract- ion of fuel and horticultural peat, and agriculture) are contained in Section 3., Observations and Conclusion. l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l 8 l 3. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSION
l 3.1 Climate The study area is located in the Eastern Counties climatic l region of Southern Ontario (Brown et al, 1980). A climatic summary of averages and extremes for the region, and for southern Ontario, is presented in Table l. l The moderating effect of the Great Lakes is scarcely notice able here, where winters are often more severe and summers are warmer than the southern Ontario average. Precipitation l is ample due to the frequent passage of frontal systems over the area, and the development of convective thunderstorms in the summer. This area is known as a belt of heavy precipitat l ion -(Boughner et al, 1962) with little likelihood of drought. The average moisture deficiency (which is the difference between mean annual potential evapotranspiration and mean l annual actual evapotranspiration) for the region is approxi mately 5 cm (Brown et al, 1980), assuming a soil moisture holding capacity of 10 cm. Clay soils have greater storage l capacity, and sandy soils a smaller capacity than this 10 cm value. Thus, in the region in areas with clay there will be less than the 5 cm moisture deficiency and in areas with l sandy textured soils or shallow soils over bedrock, there will be more than the 5 cm moisture deficiency. The mean annual water surplus of 33.0 cm is just slightly l above the southern Ontario average. This surplus is the precipitation in excess of that needed to saturate the soil and which runs off and is available as surface water in l storage areas such as lakes, ponds, and peatlands, or perco lates to the water table. Therefore, because of the regional moisture deficiency, it can be anticipated that the surface l of the peatlands (excluding open bodies of water) will tend to be dry during the late summer. However, because of the water surplus, and the generally impermeable basal soils the glacially formed basins in which the peat deposits occur l should always have sufficient moisture to promote peat accum ulation. l The climate of the area, in addition to being suitable for the accumulation of peat, does not offer major constraints to the extraction of peat resources. Its water deficiency and l mean daily temperature indicates that natural drying of har vested resources would occur. As well, the relatively fre quent occurrence of long dry periods (7 or more days) com pared with long wet periods (5 or more days), especially l during the frost-free periods, improves the ease of extrac tion. In fact, Monenco (1981) categorized southern Ontario as having the most favourable climatic conditions, within l Ontario, for traditional peat harvesting methods. l l Table 1; Climatic Summary l
l Study Art* Southern Ontario (Eattern Countiet) Range Averaie Mean Annual Teap ©C 4.1 4.4-9.4 4.4 l Mean Daily Max Teep *C January -4.4 -4.1-0 -2.9 April M.I 8.3-12.8 10.4 July 27.2 24.4-27.8 24.2 October 13.9 12.2-14.7 14.2 l Meen Dally Hin Teap *C Jenuary -15.0 -17.8--4.7 -12.0 April 0.4 -3.3-2.8 0 July UK 9 11.7-17.8 14.2 l October 2.8 0.4-7..2 3.8 Daily Hinge of Teap ©C January 10.4 4.1-12.2 8.9 July 13.3 9.4-IS.O 12.1 l Cxtrcae low Teap *C -40.0 -48.3 24.7 -38.4 txtree* High Teap ©C 40.0 33.9-41.1 39.3 Mean Date of Lett Prott in Spring Kay IS* May l-May 31 Hay 18 l Mean Date of rim froit in Fall (apt 28 Sept 10-Oct 20 Oct 1 Start of Crowinf Seaton Apr 15 Apr 5-Apr 25 Apr 14 End of Crowing S* a ion Oct 2ft Oct 21-Nov 12 Oct 31 l Mean Annual Length of Crovint Seaton 195 180-220 198 Meen Annual Crowinf Detree-Dayt 3400 2700-4200 3333 Mean Annual Precipitation (ea) 85.1 48.4-101.4 82.4 l Mean Annual Snowfall (ea) 203.2 11.9-279.4 189.1 Mean Annual Potential Cvapotrantpiration (ea) 41.0 ij. 3-44.0 59.7 Mean Annual Actual l evapotranspiration (ea) 55.9 50.8-55.9 54.0 Mean Annual Hoitture Deficiency (ea) 5.1 2.5-12.7 4.1 l Mean Annual Water Surplut (ea) 33.0 22.9-40.4 32.4 Vindt for entire areas Prevellinf weiterliet (Winter, Wt Suaaer, SW) avere|e velocity - 15.0 ka/hr l ax lau* expect*© * 174.4 ka/hr
OTTAWA OTTAWA l CONSECUTIVE CONSECUTIVE DRY DAYS WET DAYS l 7 OR MORE f — 5 OR MORE / j* a a 1 1 Z f 14 OR MORC - | 7 OR MORE l 4 y*, 21 OR MORE 3Jj rf rt\i i\i \ 10 OR MORE i WA foww* l 1 14 OR MORE m 4- 2 8 OR MORE W@8JlfflWltA f 8 I f f l FREQUENCY OF DRV PERIODS FREQUENCY OF WET PERIODS (DAYS WITH^O©I INCHES OF PRECIPITATION) (DAYS WITH MEASURABLE PRECIPITATION) l l 10 (Brown tt *l, It8)0 l Weather data for the field investigation period were obtained l from the Dalkeith weather Station that is located 25 km south- east of the Town of Alfred. These data revealed that the precipitation in June, 1984 was 81.6 mm, 4.2 mm above average l and in July, 64.4 mm, which is 32.1 mm below average. With the exception of the last day, there was no precipita tion during the peat inventory field investigation period. l During the night before the last day there was moderately l heavy rain. 3.2 Geology and Geomorphology l The study area is within the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Lowland, a well-defined basin within the greater physiographic province of the St. Lawrence Lowland. The Ottawa-St. Lawrence Lowland is underlain by unfolded Paleozoic (Cambrian to Ordovician) l rock. These are shallow marine encroachment sediments con sisting of dolomite, limestone, and shale, with minor sand stone towards the base. These strata have no general direct l ion of dip and strike, and in the northern half of the region, they are broken by faults and down-dropped fault blocks. Over most of the region, the rocks are flat lying or l gently undulating, but they are tilted at varying angles in the fault blocks or on nearing the principle fault zones (Wilson, 1964). The overall relief is low, seldom exceeding l 60 m. The surficial deposits of the study area are glacial Pleisto cene and recent sediments of till, late marine deposits, and l lacustrine and fluvial muds and sands. They vary in thick ness from nil to 60 m. Because of the underlying flatness of the bedrock, the surface relief is entirely controlled by l these deposits. The St. Lawrence valley was dammed early in the advance and reopened late in the recession of the late Wisconsin glacier. Ice finally left the area ea. 12,400 years B.P. (Douglas, 1976). Isostatic depression and outlet l damming caused the postglacial submergence of the Lowlands. Thus, subsequent to the retreat of ice from the St. Lawrence valley, the study area was flooded by the glacial Champlain l Sea, (ea. 11,800 - 10,000 years B.P.). The Alfed Bog is located within the Ottawa Valley Clay Plains, l as described by Chapman and Putnam (1973). Ottawa Valley Clay Plains l This broad clay plain is interrupted by ridges of rock and sand. The soils are more acidic than the calcareous clays further south. Drainage through much of the clay plain is l extremely inefficient. Except for the Ottawa River, all channels are inefficient, frequently overflowing their banks. Thus, the Bog has formed in a low lying area that experiences l both poor site and soil drainage because of lack of gradient l 11 * and low permeability.
l at Peatland Formation Formation of the Alfred Bog did not begin until after retreat l of the Champlain Sea (ea. 10,200) years B.P. Terasmae (1965) has determined a minimum age for early post-Champlain Sea sediments, for a site near Cornwall, Ontario, of 9,430 ^ 140 years B.P. It seems evident that organic material did not l start accumulating in the area until as recently as 9,000 years B.P. Therefore, peat in the Bog has had no more than approximately 9,000 years of uninterrupted time to accumu l late. Using a peat depth of 4.5 m as the" average*for the deposit, the average rate of peat accumulation is approxim ately 24 months per millimetre - (or about 51 years per inch). These values are below the average that has been estimated l for the Great Lakes area. It has been estimated that a mean rate of peat accumulation of 20 to 30 years per inch has occurred during the past several thousand years in the Great l Lakes area (Bell, 1968, after Sears and Janson, 1933). Al though peat accumulates at different rates under different types of climate and vegetation, it is doubtful that this l rate discrepancy can be attributed solely to these factors. More likely, the size of the depressions available for peat acumulation has limited, to a large extent, the amount of accumulation. This type of peatland development has resulted l in formation of a domed bog, with the thickest peat accumula tions in the central portion. l The depth of peat varies from approximately 7.1 m in the central portion of the bog to approximately 1.9 m at the edge. The transition from cultivated field to bog is sharp l est on the north and west sides. On the south and east sides, the transition is much more gradual and extensive peripheral marsh and shrub areas occur. l Removal of peat from the presently cultivated land adjacent to the majority of the bog has resulted in the present bound ary of the peatland being clearly defined; a sharp rise in l ground elevation of between one and two metres from the cultivated land to the bog surface; and, the abrupt transi l tion from O to approximately 1.9 m of peat. 3.4 Area and Shape l Human activity such as agriculture and peat extraction have greatly affected the shape and area of the Alfred Bog. Key Map II shows portions of the boundaries of the bog as reported in l 1829 and 1909. The boundary of the portions of the bog in the vicinity of the study area that were not under active use for agriculture or peat extraction in 1978 (year of most l recent aerial photographs) are also shown. An extensive sampling program, outside of the Hardee Farms holdings, that l 12 l KEY MAP 1C
PAST a PRESENT EXTENT OF THE ALFRED BOG
U)
LEGEND l was not within the scope of this study, would be necessary to establish the present extent of organic soil (peat). The l present shape of the bog is determined primarily by the adjacent land uses such as agriculture and peat extraction that create numerous straight line and angular boundaries. l The holdings of Hardee Farms International Limited are loc ated entirely within the bog and contain approximately 1,500 hectares. The total area of the bog, as reported in 1984 is l 4,000 hectares (Cuddy, 1982) therefore, the Hardee Farms holdings represent approximately 38% of the total area of the l bog. 3.5 Topography l The Alfred Bog is located in a broad shallow valley consist ing of lacustrine clay. The valley floor is flat to gently undulating and the topographic slopes of the peatland basin l and substrate rarely exceed 27o grade. The topographic configuration of the peatland surface is shown on Dwg. No. 2, Elevation Map. This map indicates that l the bog is domed. The areas of highest elevation and maximum peat depth, that occur within the Hardee Farms holdings, are located in the southeast portion of the property. The maxi l mum elevation difference that is attributable to the domed configuraton is approximately 5 m. This occurs as a gentle increase in surface elevation from the southwest to southeast l portions of the study area. The majority of the land adja cent to the Hardee Farms holdings has been drained and is under active agricultural use. As the bog is approached from these areas, a fairly abrupt increase of between l and 2 l metres in surface elevation occurs. This represents the transition from the drained and cultivated areas that contain no or very limited depths of peat to the presently unutilized l perimeter portions of the bog that contain l to 2 metres of l peat. 3.6 Drainage l Existing Drainage Conditions Water table conditions varied over the field investigation period, and locally across the bog, from 20 cm above to 60 l cm below the ground surface. The surface drainage features in the vicinity of the study l area are shown on Dwg. No. 1. Three primary drainage net works affect the surface drainage of the Alfred Bog. Horse Creek has the greatest affect on drainage of the Hardee Farms holdings. It traverses the Bog from the southeast to north l west and is located north of the study area. The two primary drainage ditches within the study area, one located along the l Alfred and Caledonia Township boundary, the other parallel to l 14 l and west of the west property boundary, flow north into Horse Creek which then flows west into the South Nation River. l Numerous smaller drainage ditches flow south, out of the southern portions of the study area, into Caledonia Creek which also flows into the South Nation River. Three tribut l aries of Ruisseau des Atocas flow north out of the northern portion of the bog and into the Ottawa River. l Drainage Ditch Analysis The construction of open drainage ditches has been effective in improving site drainage in areas adjacent to the bog, that l are presently under agricultural use. These areas, prior to drainage improvement, likely had drainage conditions similar to those in the study area. The domed nature of the bog l results in a maximum decrease in elevation of approximately 5 m from the southeast to the northeast and southwest. This elevation differential should be sufficient to permit con l struction of properly functioning drainage ditches. Based on these conditions it is assumed that potential is good for improving site drainage in the study area through cleaning and extension of the existing, and construction of addition l al, drainage ditches. During design of a drainage system and peat extraction and/or peatland utilization plan, considera tion must be given to maintaining a sufficient elevation l differential across the bog. This is necessary to ensure that sufficient topographic grade is available to permit construction of properly functioning drainage ditches. The l elevation of the surface of the bog may be reduced during development due to peat extraction and compaction of the peat that occurs as a result of dewatering. l To facilitate design of a drainage ditch system, investiga tions were conducted to determine the zone of influence of a typical drainage ditch. These investigations consisted of l excavating a series of test holes at five metre intervals on both sides of two existing ditches and recording the depth to groundwater table. Groundwater table elevation measurements l were also taken in areas which would not be affected by drainage ditches to determine the natural water table eleva tion. The investigations were continued at five metre inter vals until the water table elevation was observed to stabi l lize for a number of intervals at the previously determined natural water table elevation. The two ditches investigated were similar and were relatively free of vegetation, con l tained flowing water, and were approximately l m deep. Photo Nos. 4 and 5, Appendix A, show the condition of the drainage l ditches at sites l and 2 respectively. The results of these investigations are plotted in Figure l, Drainage Ditch Profiles. Profiles of the zones of influence adjacent to each of the test ditches are similar and indicate l zones of influence of approximately 20 m on either side of l the ditch. l 15 l FIGURE I l DRAINAGE DITCH PROFILES l SITE l l HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (m) EXISTING DRAINAGE 30 25 20 15 10 5 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 enOUND l SURFACE l l l l l l SITE 2 HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (m) l EXISTING DRAINAGE ASSU NPITCH/ 30 25 20 IS 10 S y^/S 5 10 IS ^0 2.5 GROUND n . l SURFACE O l J Lil
UJ tt 6© l ODD © en GROUNDWATER jT / TABLE SURFACE \ MAINTANANCE ui o LEVEL AT (O em \ l QO BELOW SURFACE (T LO- ASSUMED l 1.2- l 1.4 l 16 l The depth at which it is optimum to maintain the water table below the ground surface is dependent upon the intended use l of the bog. Assuming an optimum maintenance level of 60 cm below the ground surface, it is evident that it would be necessary to locate l m deep ditches at approximately 30 m l intervals (see existing and assumed ditches, site 2, Figure 1). l The vigor of the vegetation adjacent to the drainage ditches also appears to be an indicator of the zone of influence of the ditches. In a number of locations, the growth and vigor of the vegetation increases as the drainage ditches are l approached. The maximum zone of influence interpreted from l increased growth and vigor of surface vegetation was 50 m. 3.7 Vegetation l The Alfred Bog is classified geomorphologically as a Domed Bog. The entire study area is domed and has a maximum eleva tion differential of approximately 5 m (see Dwg. No. 2). l The vegetation cover types occurring within the study area are shown on Dwg. No. 4, Peatland Classification Map. The physiognomic classification system used is outlined in the l legend on the drawing and explained in detail in Appendix C. Table 2 contains a summary of the vegetation cover types l occurring within the study area; the area and percentage of the Hardee Farms holdings comprised of each cover type; the dominant vegetation species; the average pH; and, the average l total peat depth recorded within each cover type. The density of tree cover varies considerably throughout the study area. In this report, percentage tree cover is defined l as the percentage of the ground that is shaded by the tree canopy. The percentage tree cover has been mapped (see Dwg. No. 4) in four categories. Table 3 contains a description of l the mapping categories, and the area and percentage of the Hardee Farms holdings that occur under the various tree cover conditions. l The majority (approximately 587e) of the study area is classi fied as Open (07.-107e ) (see Photo No. 6, Appendix A) and only 137o is classified as having high density ( > 307.) tree cover l (see Photo No. l, Appendix A). Therefore, the density of tree cover should not pose a major constraint to clearing and preparation of the bog surface for agricultural use and/or l peat extraction purposes. l l l 17 Table 2
SUMMARY OF VEGETATION COVER TYPES
Area * of Average Average Total Vegetation Cover Types* Symbol (ha) Study Area Dominant Vegetation Species pH Peat Depth (m)
Open low shrub bog 01 sB 836 56 Velvet leaf blueberry, 3.41 4.0 Leatherleaf, Labrador Tea, Sheep Laurel, Bog Laurel, Swamp Birch
Treed low shrub bog TlsB 339 23 Black Spruce, Tamarack, 3.41 5.1 Leatherleaf, Labrador Tea, Mountain Holly, Velvet Leaf Blueberry
Treed graminoid bog TgB 276 18 Black Spruce, Tamarack, 3.48 4.9 Labrador Tea, Small Bog CO Cranberry, Cottongrass
Open graminoid bog OgB 38 2 Leatherleaf, Labrador Tea, 3.21 5.8 Cottongrass, Small Bog Cranberry, Creeping Snow- berry
Treed tall shrub bog TtsB 12 1 Black Spruce, Tamarack, 3.62 4.5 Speckled Alder, Mountain Holly
*Note: See Appendix C for a description of the Vegetation Classification l l TABLE 3 j TREE COVER ANALYSIS Catagory # Tree Cover Area l of (ha) Study l Area l Open 0 - 10 874 58 low density 10 - 15 213 14 l medium density 15 - 30 216 15 high density ?30 197 13 l TOTALS 1,500 100
l The five vegetation cover types that occur within the study area may be divided into the following three primary vegeta tion cover units: open low shrub bog, open graminoid bog, and l treed bog (tall shrub, low shrub, and graminoid). The first unit classified as open low shrub bog (see Photo l No. 6, Appendix A), comprises the majority of the west por tion of the study area. The total area occupied by open low shrub bog is 836 hectares, or 561 of the study area. The water pH in this area ranges between 2.9 and 3.7, measured l slightly below the water table surface, and a pH reading of 6.0 was recorded from a depth of 3.2 metres. The shrub cover is semi-open to semi-closed (30^-857.) and dominated by: Sheep l Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), Labrador Tea (Ledum groenland- icum), Leatherleaf (Chamae^aphne calyculata), Low Sweet Blue- berry (yaccinium angus111 oliurnTT Bog Rosemary (Andromeda l glaucophylla), and Bog Laurel (Kalmia polifolia). The gramin- old/herb cover is semi-open to semi-closed UO-80%) and dom inated by Carex intumescens, Small Bog Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus). Creeping Snowberrv (Gaultheria hispidulaj, CoPEbn l Grass (Eriophorum viridi-carinatum), and Tutted Bog Cottom (Eriophorum spiss^unTn The moss cover is semi-closed (80-907.) with a predominance of sphagnum mosses such as Pohlia nutans, l Polytrichum commune, and Bristly Club Moss (Lycopodium"antiot- inumj.In the open low shrub bog thick shrub growth normally occurs in association with trees. The result is the formation l of small islands of shrubs intermixed with Tamarack (Larix laricina), and Black Spruce (Picea mariana). These areas are scattered throughout the bog and are generally too small to map as separate physiognomic units (see Photo No. 6, Appendix l A). .Larger areas have been mapped as treed low shrub bog l (TlsB). l 19 A transition zone occurs between the open low shrub bog and the bog forests. The most common shrubs in these areas are Nanny Berry (Viburum lentagp), Purple Chokeberry (Aronia runifolia), Mountain Holly (Nemopanthus mucronata) and Sheep Eaurel (Kalmia polifolia). High Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) grows here as well. "~ The entire area of open low shrub bog appears to have been burned. Scattered charred stumps suggest that it was pre viously treed. Survey records indicate that in the 1820©s the open portions of the bog were much more heavily treed than at present. This and the scattered small black spruce and tamarack trees suggest that in the absence of further disturbance (fire) much of the open bog heath may eventually revert to coniferous forest. The second vegetation unit occurs as two relatively small areas (total 38 ha; 27. of study area) of open graminoid bog (OgB). The average pH in these areas was found to be 3.2 and the average peat depth is 6.2 m. The graminoid herb cover is semi-closed (70-857.), and dominated by Eriophorum and Carex spp. The third unit, that comprises the majority of the east portion of the study area (615 ha; Alt of study area), has greater than 107e tree cover and is therefore classified as treed (see Photo l, Appendix A). This area contains treed low shrub, treed tall shrub, and treed graminoid bog cover types. The tree species that occur in the various bog types are similar and only the understorey varies (i.e., low shrub, tall shrub, and graminoid). The pH, measured below the groundwater surface, ranges between 3.2 and 4.1 and increases to 4.7 at a depth of 3.2 m. In these areas Black Spruce (Picea mariana) and Tamarack (Lar ix l aricina) are the domi nant tree species. Ground cover varies, depending upon the density of the tree canopy. The thickest forest is defined as a treed graminoid bog (TgB). The tree species ( > 1 .5 m) may represent up to 707. of the cover. In these areas a thick cover of Eriophorum spp. and Sphagnum spp. occurs. Photo No. l, Appendix A, is representative of the conditions that prevail in this area. Areas of medium (15-307.) and low density (10-157.) tree cover support a higher proportion of low shrubs than areas of high density ( > 30%) tree cover. These consist of Low Sweet Blueberry (Vaccinium angusti- folium), Velvet Leaf Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), Mountain Holly (Nemopanthus mucronata j, Leather leal: (trhamae- daphne calyculata), Labrador tea TLedum groenlandicum), Wild Raisin (Viburnum cassinoides), Bog Laurel (Kalmia poTifolia), Bog Rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla), and Sheep Laurel (Kal mia angustifpiia).In the areas of medium and low density tree cover the moss and lichen cover is semi-closed (907.) and the species include Cotton Grass (Eriophorum viridicarinatum), Tufted Bog Cotton (Eriophorum spis©suin), CareV spp. such as Carex intumescens, and species such as Pohlia nutans, Sphag num fu©scum, and Polytrichum commune. Localized small areas of
20 l treed tall shrub bog occur along the perimeter of the bog {see Photo No. 2, Appendix A). The small scattered nature of l these areas prevents mapping at the presentation scale used. Species in these areas consist of Black Spruce (Picea mari- ana), White Birch (Betula papyrifera), Tamarack (Larix I©gri" cina), Mountain Holly C^emopanthusnnucronata), Labrador Tea l (Ledum groenlandicum), Carex spp., and Sphagnum spp. A detailed botanical inventory was outside the scope of this l study. The list of dominant vegetation species contained in Table 4 was prepared from observations made at the peat l sample points and while traversing the survey grid lines. 3.8 Peat Characteristics l The following sections contain general descriptions of the depth, type, and humification of peat within the study area. Sections 3.11, 3.12, and 3.13 contain detailed descriptions l of the peat characteristics as they pertain to suitability of the peat for fuel, horticultural use, and agricultural use. l i) Peat Depth The total peat depth and the depth of the surficial (unhumi- fied*) layer, measured at each of the peat sample points, are l shown on Dwg. No. 3. Peat depth (isopach) contours are also presented on the drawings. These data indicate that the maximum accumulation of peat, within the Hardee Farms hold l ings, is located in the southeast portion of the property. The maximum total peat depth encountered in the study area is 7.1 m. The average total peat depth on the Hardee Farms l holdings is 4.5 m. Approximately 987, of the study area contains peat in excess of 1.2 m in depth; and, 1.2 m is the minimum total depth below which extraction of peat is not l considered to be economical. Average peat depths for the entire study area are summarized l in Table 5, below. l Table 5 AVERAGE PEAT DEPTHS Surficial Layer 0.5 m l Humified Layer 4.0 m l Total Peat Depth 4.5 m l *Note: Surficial (unhumified) peat refers to peat with a von Post humification rating of 3 or less; humified peat has a rating l of 4 or greater. Further details are given in Appendix G. l 21 l l Table 4 l DOMINANT VEGETATION SPECIES Tree Species l Swamp Birch Betula glandulosa Black Spruce Picea ©mariana Tamarack Lafix laricina l Red Maple l Shrub Species Purple Chokeberry Aronia prunifplia Winterberry ilex verticullata l Mountain Holly Memap©anthus mucrp©nata Low Sweet Blueberry Vacc in ium angu s t i fp lTa Velvet Leaf Blueberry Vaccinium myrtilloides Leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata l Labrador Tea Ledum groenlandicum Sheep Laurel kalmia ancustifolia Bog Laurel Kalmla polifolia l Bog Rosemary Andromeda glaucophylla Wild Raisin Viburnum cassinoides l Small Bog Cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccus l Herbs(H)7Graminoids(G)7Mos ses(M) Bog Solomon©s Seal (H) Smilacina trifolia Creeping Snowberry (H) GaultheTa hispiduTa l Cotton Grass (G) Eriophorum viridl-carinatum Tufted Bog Cotton (G) Eriophorum spissum Carex (G) Carex spp. l Mosses (M) Pohlia nuntans Sphagnum tusci©um Polytrf^hum commune l Bristly Club-Moss Lycopodium^arinotinum l l l l l 22 l li) Peat Type l The peat types that were encountered along each of the survey grid lines have been plotted on the peat type profiles. These profiles are indexed by grid line number (i.e., L500N) and copies are enclosed inside the back cover of this report. l The meanings of the symbols appearing on the profiles are outlined in the legend on the drawings and are explained in detail in Appendix D. Appendix E contains descriptions of the l criteria used to identify various peat types. With the exception of a relatively shallow surface stratum l consisting of primarily sphagnum peat, the peat occurring throughout the entire study area is dominated by sedge and contains minor amounts of wood and shrub peat, and brown moss l peat. The stratigraphy of the peat across the deposit, from the substrate to the ground surface, is as follows. Small local l ized deposits of pure sedge peat, average 0.3 m in thickness, occur in topographic depressions in the substrate. These are overlain by the dominant peat stratum that averages 4.0 m in l thickness and consists of 807. to 1007e sedge, up to 207o wood and/or shrub peat, and up to 207. brown moss peat. The brown moss occurs much more consistently in the north and southwest than in the central and southeast portions of the study area. l A surface stratum consisting of 707. to 807. sphagnum, up to 20% shrub peat and 107. sedge peat, occurs across the entire l deposit. This stratum averages 0.5 m in thickness. The results of laboratory analyses of top-to-bottom peat core samples, obtained for four sample points, are contained in l Appendix F. Each core sample was divided into a number of intervals, or peat strata, based on variations in peat type (i.e., components, humification, etc.). A total of 25 such peat stratum samples were analyzed. The results of these l analyses are described in detail in Sections 3.12, 3.13, and l 3.14. iii) Peat Humification l Humification refers to the degree of decomposition of plant material in the peat. The more decomposed the material, the higher the humification. During this study, the von Post scale of decomposition (humification) was used to evaluate l the peat. The von Post method is a field test that consists of hand squeezing samples of the peat and observing the water, texture, plant remains and deformation of the sample. l Descriptions of the evaluation criteria are contained in Appendix G. l The degrees of peat humification that were encountered along each of the survey grid lines have been plotted on the peat l humification profiles. These profiles are indexed by grid l 23 l line number (i.e., L500N) and copies are enclosed inside the l back cover of this report. Using a humification scale of l to 10, peat may be divided into two categories: unhumified (surficial) peat, having a humification of 3 or less; and, humified peat, having l humifications of 4 or more. Generally, unhumified peat is most suitable for horticultural use and humified peat is most suitable for fuel use. Approximately 107e of the peat in the l study area is unhumified and the remaining 907o is humified. Generally, peat humification increases with depth, thus, the l following is a description of the humification stratification from ground surface to substrate. The unhumified (^ H3) surface layer occurs across the entire deposit and Tanges from O to 1.3 metres in depth with an average depth of 0.5 l metres. The maximum accumulation of unhumified peat occurs in the north central portion of the study area, in the vicin ity of L4000N to L6000N. The maximum thickness of unhumified l peat encountered in this area is 1.3 m and the average is 0.7 m. Across the study area the unhumified strata consist of approximately 20 cm of HI and 20 cm of H2 peat. An H3 layer l occurs locally, and where present averages 30 cm. The humi fied (H4+) stratum averages approximately 4.0 m. The maximum accumulation occurs in the southeast portion of the study area (L5000N+1000E) where a thickness of 6.7 m was encount l ered. The vast majority (in excess of 807o) of the humified layer has a humification of 4. Localized thin and discontin uous strata of H5 and H6 occur throughout the H4 peat. A l continuous stratum of H5 and H6 peat, averaging 0.4 m in l thickness, occurs above the substrate. 3.9 Peat Volumes The volumes of peat contained in the study area are l summarized in Table 6, as follows. t Table 6 PEAT VOLUMES l Total Volume Total Volume Volume of Humified Volume of Unhumified of Peat of Peat in Area (H4+)* Peat in Area (^3) Peat in Area Entire Study With ^.2m Peat With ^.2m Peat With ^.2m Peat Area (x 10-6 m3) (x 10-6 m3) (x 10-6 m3) l (x 10-6 m3) l 67.48 67.36 60.42 6.94 l *Note: See Appendix G, for a description of the humification rating l system used. l 24 l r* Stump Content Stump content is defined as the percentage of the total peat volume occupied by stumps and logs large enough to obstruct l or snag peat probes. The stump content is calculated by in- B serting a probe into the peat in ten locations, to a depth of 2 m, at every second sample point. The number of refusals are counted and the percentage stump content is calculated as I shown in Appendix H. Stump content must be considered in evaluating the suitability of a peatland for extractive and/ or agricultural uses. Stump content has an effect upon the . degree of difficulty to be encountered during ditch construc I tion, clearing and stripping the deposit, and the necessity for screening the peat. l The average stump content, in the top 2 m across the entire deposit, is 0.77.. This is low relative to a number of other peatlands in southeastern Ontario, which typically have a l stump content of 1.97*. Stump content is reasonably consist ent across the study area and the minimum and maximum con tents encountered are 07o and S.8%. The only area of higher than average stump content ( 2.21) that is of significant size l occurs in the southwest portion of the study area (vicinity B200N to B1200N, L1000N and L2000N+200W to 800W). This area is located within the open low shrub bog vegetation cover l type. This reinforces the theory that the open bog areas may previously have been forested. l In excess of 757* of the stumps encountered in the top two metres of peat were encountered in the upper metre. During peat sampling, no stumps were encountered below the 2 m depth. The relatively low stump content should only pose l minor constraints to development of the peatland. Approximately 4270 (627 ha) of the study area is forested with l varying densities of tree cover. Clearing of tree cover in these areas will significantly increase development costs. However, a much higher percentage (58ft) of the study area has l open rather than treed vegetation cover types, compared with the majority of peatlands in southeastern Ontario. l 3.11 Previous Uses and Modifications In 1806, Joseph Fortune (from Cuddy, 1983), while surveying l Caledonia Township, described the bog as "a thick spruce and cedar swamp with large areas of marsh". Interpretation of Fortune©s field notes and those of Angus Cattanach, (from l Limoterra, 1982) who resurveyed part of Caledonia Township in 1828, suggests that Fortune©s "red spruce" was actually Black Spruce and his "marsh" was more likely a low shrub bog. Many l of the local residents still refer to the bog as "the marsh". Alfred Township was surveyed in 1820 by William Browne, (from l 25 l l Cuddy, 1983). He described all of the lowland between the Alfred and Caledonia Township boundary and the South Nation River as a "great wet swamp with large areas mostly bare of l trees, except a few stunted tamarinds; [the] surface is cov ered with the low cranberry and bilberry...". Browne went on to predict the future for this area when he wrote: "A major l part of this great swamp may be made fertile by burning when ditched". Most of the area so described is presently used for corn or sod production. Browne also showed on his map l two small lakes which no longer exist. The larger of these, drained by Horse Creek, appears to have been over 40 ha in extent. l During the 160 years since Browne completed his survey, drainage, burning, peat extraction, and agricultural use have l reduced Alfred Bog to less than half of its original extent. Information contained in the Nystrom and Anrep (1909; from Limnoterra, 1982) report indicates that the property investi l gated for peat extraction in 1908 is the same as that farmed by the Ottawa River Farms in the late 1950©s. The area of bog studied consisted of approximately 2,750 ha within Alfred and Caledonia Townships. The total volume of usable peat was l estimated to be 53.7 million cubic metres with the most suit able peat being in the Alfred portion of the bog. The bog within Caledonia Township was heavily wooded with large l amounts of roots and stumps and the peat here was suitable only as light fuel. l Swinnerton (1957; from Limnoterra, 1982) describes government efforts to develop commercial peat extraction in the Alfred Bog. He reports that an engineer was sent from the Mines Branch to Europe to study the peat methods successfully used l there and after his report a peat bog of "300 acres at Alfred, Ontario" was bought by the Dominion Government for full scale trials of peat machinery. Experimental operations were con l ducted during the 1912 and 1913 seasons. The outbreak of the first World War cancelled the plans. l Valk (Muck Research Station; from Limnoterra, 1982) managed start-up operations of the Ottawa River Farms in 1956. The purpose of this operation was to develop bog lands into a commercial truck farm. Drainage, clearing, plowing, and lime l application were necessary to prepare the bog for crops. Jasmin and Heeney (1960; from Limnoterra, 1982) describe these efforts of reclaiming the acid bog for agricultural l use. These authors also illustrate average yields of the Alfred Bog relative to another reclaimed bog, Ste. Blaise, for the late 1950©s. They conclude that the acid dome bogs l can be coverted to fertile organic soils after several years and produce good crops if they are properly managed. Careful drainage is required and start-up expenses include clearing, l liming and fertilization. l The information available to this study indicates that the l 26 l Alfred Bog described for both peat and agricultural product- ion lies to the north of the remaining bog lands. Moreover, burning, drainage, and peat extraction have also changed the l natural conditions of the remaining bog. It appears that most, if not all, of the bog has been burned previously. A number of drainage ditches have been constructed. These l affect the local groundwater table elevation and adjacent vegetation. Agricultural use and peat extraction have result ed in removal of all of the organic soil in some areas adja l cent to the present bog. l 3.12 Present Use Present uses adjacent to the study area include agriculture, sod production, and peat extraction for horticultural use. l The adjacent agricultural land is intensively drained and cultivated. Manderly Sod Farms have been operating in the area for a number of years and have large areas of organic l soil under use for sod production. A small scale horticult ural peat extraction operation has been developed adjacent to the study area. l The only reported present use of the Hardee Farms Internat ional Limited holdings on the Alfred Bog is non-commerical l harvest of blueberries by local residents. l 3tl3 Potential For Utilization Utilization of the peat resources of the study area for peat extraction (i.e., fuel and/or horticultural uses) and/or agricultural use would necessitate site modifications such as l drainage improvement and clearing. The following is a des cription of the criteria that affect the overall utilization potential of the study area for the previously mentioned l uses. The specific criteria that determine potential for extraction of fuel and horticultural peat and agricultural use are described in subsections (i), (ii), and (iii) of this l section. l Access The Alfred Bog is located approximately 75 km from Ottawa and 110 km from Montreal and access is available via numerous l hard and loose surface all weather roads. The proximity and accessibility to these potential markets should enhance the development potential of the peat resources of the study l area. l l l 27 l Climate l The climate of the area does not pose major constraints to the harvest of peat resources. The water deficiency, mean daily temperature, and occurrence of long dry periods l improves the potential for extraction. Southern Ontario has been rated as having the most favourable conditions within l Ontario for traditional peat harvesting methods. Climatic conditions are aLso acceptable for production of a l wide range of field crops. Topography l The domed and elevated nature of the study area above the surrounding agricultural lands are conducive to development of an effective drainage network and grading of production l fields to promote good site drainage. l Drainage The existing municipal drainage network and drainage ditches within the study area should be suitable as drainage outlets. l Potential appears to be good for improving site drainage through clearing and extension of existing, and construction l of additional, drainage ditches. Vegetation l The majority (587.) of the study area is classified as open rather than treed. This will significantly reduce the cost l of clearing the peatland surface. l Area and Depth Guidelines for the minimum area and depth of peat that are considered acceptable for development of fuel peat extrac tion operations have not been developed by Canadian agencies. l However, concensus is that the same, or very similar guidelines to those established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (Jarrett, 1983) will be accepted. l These guidelines state that fuel peat deposits should be a minimum of 1.2 m deep over a minimum area of 32.4 ha. The study area contains approximately 1,479 ha with a peat depth l in excess of 1.2 m (overall average depth 4.5 m). Therefore, the extent and depth of peat in the study area are far in excess of those considered necessary for development of peat l extraction operations. l l 28 l Volume l The volume of peat contained within the study area is a number of times greater than the volume contained in numerous peatlands in southern Ontario that are considered to be l regionally significant for their size (study area volume - 67.48 million cubic metres; average of volumes of largest peatlands in the Ottawa-Brockville area - 18.19 million cubic l metres). An estimated 67.36 million cubic metres of the total volume is contained within the portion of the study area in which development is considered practical (peat depth > 1.2 m). This consists of 60.42 million cubic metres of l humified (H4+) peat, that is suitable for fuel and/or horti cultural use, and 6.94 million cubic metres of unhumified (H3 or less) peat that is good quality sphagnum moss peat suit l able for horticultural use. l Stump Content The stump content of the peat in the study area is low (Q.7%) relative to other peatlands in southeastern Ontario (average l 1.97o). Stump content is anticipated to pose only minor constraints to ditching, clearing, and extraction and peat l processing. l Previous Uses and Modifications Historically, portons of the bog have been used for agricul ture and peat extraction. The modifications associated with these uses include drainage ditch construction, burning, and l clearing of surface vegetation. These uses and types of modifications should be permitted to continue. However, it would be necessary to design a site development plan to l ensure that detrimental environmental impacts to adjacent lands do not occur. For example, measures would have to be undertaken to ensure that the water resources characteristics l of the surrounding lands are not modified. l ^ P otential For Fuel Peat Extraction The areal extent and depth of peat resources of the study area are far in excess of those considered necessary for l development of a fuel peat extraction operation. l Fuel grade peat can be described generally as follows. "Energy peats are sphagnum peats with a degree of humification of H4 or greater, and sedge peat H3 or greater. Usually peats of high humification are found l in locations where aeration is relatively good. Humif ication (degradation) progresses with time to advanced l stages, even at depth, in bogs in areas of warmer l 29 l climates such as parts of southern Ontario, U.S.A., and in some regions of the Tropics. Commonly, energy peats l are at the bottommost part of the deposit and can create a problem of availability. The basic character istics required of an energy peat are a high degree of l humification, high bulk density, relatively low ash content, low content of potential pollutants such as sulphur and mercury, and a calorific value as high as l possible." (Monenco, 1981) l Table 7 contains a list of the recommended properties of good fuel peat and the analyzed characteristics of the study area l peat. The three most important criteria in determining suitability of peat for fuel use are calorific value, ash content, and sulphur content. As shown in Table 7, the calorific values l of the fuel grade peat in the study area are within the recommended guideline for good fuel grade peat. The American Society for Testing and Materials (Jarrett, 1983) recommends l a minimum calorific value of 4440 calories per gram for fuel peat. The concensus is that the ASTM standards will be accep ted for use in Canada. Therefore, based on calorific value, l it appears as if the fuel grade peat in the study area may be categorized as good quality fuel peat. The calorific value of peat in the study area is similar to the calorific values of fuel grade peat of similar type and degree of l humification, from other deposits in southern Ontario. The average ash content of the fuel grade peat from the study l area is 6.77.. This is within the recommended range. Some of the bottom peat strata, particularly adjacent to the sub strate, have ash content values of 10.4, 13.0 and 11.7. These l values exceed those recommended (by Monenco), However, the ASTM maximum acceptable ash content for fuel peat is 257e. The ash content of the basal peat stratum (20 cm) at one l sample point is 43.97.. This exceeds the maximum acceptable ash content and thus is not suitable as fuel peat. For the purpose of calculating the volume of fuel grade peat avail l able and to avoid contamination of the peat with substrate material, it is recommended that the bottom 0.25 m of peat l not be harvested. The average sulphur content of the fuel grade peat in the study area is 0.047o. This is below the recommended guide l lines and indicates a low level of pollutants. The analysis results for all of the peat samples are within the acceptable ranges for all the suitability criteria, with l the exception of hydrogen, for which the average is slightly l below the minimum recommended content. l 30 l l Table 7 l RECOMMENDED PROPERTIES OP FUEL PEAT Properties of Recommended Properties* Study Area Peat**** l * Average l Range Range (Standard Deviation)
l Calorific Value*** 4700-5100 4317-5404 4813( 248) (oven dry, cal/g) l Ash Content 2-10 2.3-13.0 575( 3.06) (15?)
l Volatiles 60-70 r 64v7-75.5 69.CK+3.0) (15?) l Total Carbon 50-60 48.2-55.0 53.K+2.0) (15?) Hydrogen 5.0-6.4 3.6-6.5 4.8( 0.6) l (158) Oxygen 30-40 31.3-37.4 34.5(12.0) l (15?) l Nitrogen 1.0-2.5 0.3-2.3 l.M+0.5) Suftflr 0.1-0.2 0.01-0.17 0.04(^0.04) l * (Monenco, 1981, Table 2-14). ** Values for the characteristics of the study area peat are l weighted average values for the fuel grade (H44-) peat only, based on results of laboratory analyses. Copies of the results of the laboratory analysis are contained in Appendix l F. *** Calorific values are for oven dry peat samples l #### rpne properties of the study area peat do not include data for interval C7 (450 cm - 470 cm), sample site B1000N. The ash content (43.950 in this interval is unusually high. l This interval is also excluded from the fuel peat volume l calculations. l 31 l The volume of fuel grade peat (at an in situ moisture level of approximately 95Z) contained within the study area is l 56.72 million cubic metres. This is composed of the fuel grade (H4+) peat in the portion of the study area that is considered suitable for development of peat extraction opera l tions (peat depth > 1.2 m). This volume excludes the unhumi- fied (^ H3) and 0.25 metres of peat adjacent to the basal sediment, that in some areas contains unacceptable levels of ash. Approximately 0.5 cubic metres of milled (harvested) l fuel peat, at 5070 moisture content, may be produced from one cubic metre of bog. Therefore, the volume of final product (milled fuel peat at approximately 5070 moisture content) that l may be produced from the study area is approximately 28.36 million cubic metres. This is based on extraction of all of the peat from the study area and does not take into consider l ation the setbacks from adjacent properties that will be necessary to prevent detrimental environmental impacts. These setbacks must be determined through detailed drainage analysis and would be dependent upon the depth to which the l peat is to be extracted. In summary, the potential appears to be good for extracting a l large volume of good quality fuel grade.peat. However, it is recommended that a detailed economic analysis study, includ ing estimation of the development costs of the bog and market l studies, be conducted prior to undertaking development of the study area for fuel peat extraction.
l ii) Potential For Non-Energy Use During this study, the two non-energy uses of peat that were l investigated are in situ use for agriculture, and extraction of horticultural peat for use as a growing medium in green houses, etc. Peat within the study area was categorized for l non-energy use based on a rating system proposed for interna tional acceptance by the American Society for Testing and Materials (Farnham, 1968). Using this system, the potential l horticultural peat was placed in the following two categories: Sphagnum Moss Peat l "Oven-dried peat sample contains over 75 per cent Spha gnum moss fibre of the total content by weight. These fibres should be stems and leaves of Sphagnum in which l the fibrous and cellular structure is recognizable. Such samples shall contain a minimum of 90 per cent organic matter on a dry weight basis. l "Type I, classes A, B, and C. - Sphagnum moss peat shall consist of at least 75 per cent of partially decomposed stems and leaves of Sphagnum in which the l fibrous and cellular structure is still recognizable. Its texture may vary from porous fibrous to spongy l fibrous, and it shall be either crumbly or compact, but l 32 l fairly elastic. I t shall be nearly free from decomposed colloidal residue, wood, etc., and shall be essentially l brown in colour." Reed-Sedge Peat l "Oven-dried peat sample contains a minimum of 33 1/3 per cent reed, sedge, or grass fibres (non-moss fibres) l of total content by weight. "Type IV. - Reed-sedge peat shall be the moderately decomposed stems, leaves and roots of rushes, coarse l grasses, sedges, reeds, canes, cattails, and similar plants. It shall be coarse or finely fibrous, and brown to black in colour. It shall be low to moderate ly low in decomposed colloidal plant residue and low in l wood or other extraneous materials." The sphagnum peat within the study area occurs as a thin l (range O to 1.3 m, average 0.5 m), continuous surface layer across the study area. As described by Monenco (1981), this type of peat is the best for horticultural use, such as for l domestic and commercial greenhouses, etc. "The peats best suited for non-energy uses such as a growing medium for greenhouses, household, domestic and l commercial gardens, landscaping, manufacture of peat pots, pellets, growing plates (instant lawn), oleophi lic peat for pollution control, filtering medium (pol l lution -control), insulating boards, to mention a few are sphagnum peats of a low degree of humification. In most cases the best are sphagnum peats with a degree of l humification of H2-4, but also peat with humification values of H5-6 can be used, although certain character istics, such as water holding capacity are considerably l lower than that of Hl-4. "The characteristics of slightly humified sphagnum peats which make them sought after for agricultural l [horticultural] purposes are their high water holding capacity, high cation exchange capacity, high pore space, relatively high permeability, compressibility, l and capability of resuming the original structure even after a compression ratio of 10:1. All these charact eristics depend on the structure of sphagnum moss." l (Monenco, 1981) The study area is estimated to contain 6.94 million cubic l metres of sphagnum peat. This estimate does not take into consideration losses that would result from stripping of the surface vegetation. It is assumed an average of approximately l 0.25 metres would be lost during this development procedure. Therefore, a total of 3.24 million cubic metres of good qual l ity horticultural grade sphagnum moss peat may be available l 33 l for extraction. However, l cubic metre of bog will produce l 0.5 cubic metres of harvested peat at 507, moisture content. Therefore, approximately 1.62 million cubic metres of sphag num peat at 507. moisture content may be harvested. l With regard to the suitability of this surface stratum of sphagnum moss peat for in situ agricultural use, Monenco, l 1981, states: "As long as liming, fertilizing and watering can be done in a controlled environment (such as a greenhouse) sphagnum peats are excellent for horticulture, and are l very economical and environmentally gentle as leaching of additives in the greenhouses can be controlled. In situ, however, the leaching cannot be controlled and l the high permeability of sphagnum peat aggravates it. "The above implies that the surficial sphagnum peats l with a low degree of humification (Hl-3) will not really meet the economic or environmental requirements for in place use for agriculture,...if the fertilizat l ion requirements and possible pollution are considered." Therefore, it appears as if it may be advantageous to remove this surface stratum to permit agricultural use of the study l area. The remainder of the peat in the study area is classified as l reed-sedge peat. A total volume of 60.42 million cubic metres (Table 6) of this peat occurs; however, assuming the peat is only extracted to within 0.25 metres of the substrate a volume of 56.72 million cubic metres is available for ex l traction. As previously mentioned l cubic metre of bog will produce 0.5 cubic metres of peat at 50Z moisture content. Therefore, the harvested volume of peat at 507. moisture con l tent (solar dried moisture content) would be approximately 28.36 million cubic metres. The reed-sedge peat may be used for horticultural purposes, as a treatment for mineral soils l that lack sufficient organic content or as an extender to be blended with composted material, such as sewage sludge or organic refuse, for eventual land treatment. l Reed-sedge peat accounted for 59/i of the total and 74% of the packaged peat production in the U.S.A. in 1983. l Information is not available on the intended use of this peat, however as it is marketed in a packaged form it is assumed it is intended for domestic and small scale l commercial horticultural use. "For in situ agricultural ... use shallow well humified peats composed as sedge, woody peats, etc., are excel l lent because they form a good organic bed with a high nutirient value and relatively high cation exchange l values. These properties of peat improve the poorer 34 l underlying mineral soil and enhance plant growth," l (Monenco 1981) l Therefore, the reed-sedge peat is better suited to in situ agricultural use than the surface stratum of sphagnum peat. Thus, it would be advantageous to remove the sphagnum peat stratum and utilize the reed-sedge stratum for agricultural l use. The reed-sedge stratum consists of sedge and some wood and l has degrees of humification ranging from H3 to H6, generally with the stratum of higher humification closest to the sub strate. These criteria should be taken into consideration during preparation of a site development plan that may con l sist of peat extraction and rehabilitation of the site for agricultural use. The suitability of the study area for agricultural use is described in more detail in sub section l iii), below. Considering the shallow average depth (0.25m) of sphagnum l moss peat that may be available after stripping the surface vegetation, in areas with an average of less than 0.5 m of unhumified peat, the economic viability of developing these areas based entirely on the extraction of sphagnum peat moss l may be questionable. In areas with an average depth of great er than 0.5 m of unhumified peat development based solely on extraction of sphagnum peat moss may be economical. However, l in either case if extraction of the surface layer of sphagnum moss peat is undertaken as part of a total peat resource de velopment program, that may include extraction of reed-sedge l peat and eventual use of the study area for agriculture, the economics appears to be promising. It is recommended that detailed economic analysis, including determination of the peatland development cost and a market survey be conducted l prior to developing the peat resources of the study area. f iii) Potential f!or Agriculture The Soil Testing Laboratory of the Department of Land Re source Science at the University of Guelph analyzed forty- seven blended surface samples (O to 60 cm) of peat for plant available phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, and pH. The nutrient concentration which is determined is for the plant l available portion of that nutrient. This is substantially different than the total amount (available/not available and organic/inorganic forms), such as is reported in fertilizer l N:P:K ratios, and as calculated by Technical Services Labor atory. The laboratory results are included in Appendix F and the l locations from which the samples were taken are shown on Dwg. l No. 1. A summary of the average values of the results, along 35 l with acceptable levels for most crops, are presented below. The phosphorus values, as expected, are extremely low, and l the soil would have to be amended with bulk additions of fertilizer before use for crop production. Potassium levels are somewhat low and potash application would be required. l Potasssium competes with magnesium for uptake by crops but since the magnesium levels are high, magnesium deficiency resulting from potash application should not be a problem. l Neutralization of the acidic conditions (low pH) would also be necessary. This could be accomplished through the appli cation of finely powdered limestone. These management tech niques are standard for agricultural use of peatlands, part l icularly during the early stages of conversion to agricult l ural use. Acceptable Ranges l Parameter Average* Range For Most Crops** Phosphorus 1.1 * 0 .4 1-3 7-16 Potassium 14.8 " 5.6 8-28 30-60 l Magnesium 95-200+ 5 and over pH 4.4 * 0.5 3.7-5.6 6.0-7.2 l Notes: * For all except pH, units are plant available amounts in ppm on sample extract. ** This is the acceptable range suggested by the Ont ario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, using their l analyses techniques. *** Average value for magnesium cannot be determined since 31 of the 47 samples had values greater than 200 (recorded only as 200+). If it is decided to utilize the Bog for agriculture, the surface layer on which these analyses are based would be re moved in the stripping. It is unlikely that significant changes would be noted in the nutrient levels. However, the lower layers of the deposit appear to have somewhat higher pH l levels, as determined by the analyses undertaken by Technical Services Lab. Therefore, the extent of liming that is re l quired may be less.
36 l l l l l l l l APPENDIX A l Ground Photographs l l l l l l l l l l 37 l l PHOTO NO. l Typical of cut survey line-:- l through areas of treed bog. This is an area with 15? to 3 01 l tree cover l l l l l l l l l PHOTO NO. 2 Typical of the l boundary between treed tall shrub bog (right), and open low shrub l bog (left). North perimeter of l the study area. l l l 38 l l PHOTO NO. 3 One of many old drainage ditches. Presently filled with l aquatic vegetation, very little or no flow water table at l ground surface. l l l l l l l l PHOTO NO. 4 Recently constructed drainage ditch. Note depth to l ground water table in the bottom of the ditch (approx l l m). Site l for l drainage analysis. l l l l 39 l l PHOTO NO. 5 Site of drainage analysis number 2. l Note the volume of water in the ditch and depth to ground water table l in the bottom of the l ditch. l l l l l l l PHOTO NO. 6 Typical of the open low shrub bog l cover type. Tree cover 05& to 5# in foreground and 5fo t o 105? in back l ground. l l l l l l l l l l l l APPENDIX B l Site Data Record Sheet l l l l l l l l l l l SITE DATA RECORD l Location sketches, calculations, remarks on drainage, etc. li i Pay Mo vr l Investigator i i i l Organization
1 2 3 6 - li 22 l , 1 i 1 , . , 1 1*1 , , . 1 H. T. S. Peatland No. Site Sample Point Number Line 23 27 a 1 133 1 34 40 (4 47 SO l 1 1 1 1*1 i i * ., ' Surf. Hummock Hollow * Ht(cm) Av. Depth- PK 0-1 1-2 -fct Latitude Longitude wetness Depth-to-water (cm) Hummocks ^)" Stumps l S3 i6 60 63 66 [ 69 j 70 72 75 179 BO 1 l 111*1 it ii li III .Basal Elevation (m) Total Peat Total Dep. Total Oep. Phys. Zone East North Sediment Depth (cm) Humified Onhumified Samp. U.T.M. Ref. (to lOOOr.) l Peat (cm) Peat (cm) PEATLAND CLASSIFICATICN 1 2 1Craniiioid/lierb. (-canopy)>13Sea n n 8,2 1speciesTree ti y OH liclwnMoss, l *)jcover (*)cover (\)cover |B h Sif! |S Species 5? 1 l Tree speci tt 2i >135 cm ( I^JB
l Shrub spec ies 2-5 >135 cm ( l
l Shrub spec Les 2 r? •*135 cm (
l Graminoid/herb 2 9 l cover (*) Moss, lich( sn cover (*)
Plot size i •or l———— l l calculatior l Of canopy coyi (l Plot size i 'or ———— l other caleili. l 33 35 r \ Sub- Physiognomic Form. Other :orm. Croup modifier 44 72 , l , , i- , , , l-l , , , l-l , , , l-l t i f 'Tree species 710*; shrub species^Ot; gram. /herb species ^ S*; moss/lichen species ^3C" cover . )
73 78 i80 ! l 1 t f^ Radforth Cover Av Tree rale Type Car opy yiag' l kCw PEAT STRATIGRAPHY Depth (on) Peat Type Other H B F Ml 1 1-5 0- Interval remarks, minor types, seeds, from to Oomin . \ Subdom.t Subdom.% Type * MO oep charcoal, etc. 1 2 23 26 29 32 35 38 41 4i 43 44 C ,1 i i i i , 1 , 1 , t i 1 ———————————— ^J
C,2 i i t 1 i 1 , 1 i 1
^l 3 l i i i i 1 i 1 . 1 i 1
C 4 ^ l , t , 1 , 1 l 1
C , 5 i i i i i 1 , 1 , t 1 1 C 6 i i i i i 1 , l , 1 , I C 7 | i i 1 i i 1 , 1 , I i l
C 8 \ t l i i 1 , 1 , 1 i 1
C 9 i t i i , 1 , l , l i l C 0 i i i i i 1 i 1 i 1 i 1 0 1 J i i . 1 . 1 . 1 ! 1 D 2 i i i 1 i 1 t 1 I 1 D 3 t i l f , 1 , 1 i 1 t 1 0,4 i i l i , 1 , 1 , 1 1 1 D 5 t i , 1 , 1 , 1 1 1 D 6 ^ i i i i i 1 i 1 . 1 1 i D 7 i i ' l t , 1 i i , l 1 1
0 8 i i l i , 1 i 1 , i 1 i !
D 9 f f * i i , 1 i 1 , 1 1 1 D 0 i i , 1 i 1 , 1 l i E 1 l 1 , 1 i 1 t 1 i l B 2 ^^^^ i i l i , | , 1 1 1 l 1 CODES Peatland Classification Peat Types Radforth Cover Classes Formations: Swamp S Mosses S A. Woody, Sm, tree font. Bog B Sphagnum S, B. Woody; 1.5 to SB, trees or shrubs, Fen F Brown moss Sb C. Non-woody) .5 to 1.5m, graminoid/herb. Pals/yPeat Plateau PP Sedge/graminoid c 0. Woody; .5 to 1.5m, shrubs or dwarf trees. Marsh M Wood L E. Woody, .Sm, low shrubs, Open water W Shrub L,, F. Non-woody, .5m, gran/herbs clumped or (PI oor Fen PF) Tree ^ Batted. S informations OP*n 0 Hinor ryp,,.^ 0- "on-woody, ^m gram/herb, singly or Treed T Guideline. H ^^^^ "^V lichens. Physiognomic G rpupsj ' -. I. Non woody, ,1m, mosses, B",F,~ Shrub~r ich sr Oore oz PP Tall shrub ts w*rl . w* Sample Wetness Fine Fibre Lowsh rub Is ——————— Dwarf shrub ds Surf,C9 Wetna,8 *V J Nil o Grawino id —————————— Moist 2 Low 1 Dry 1 Wet (average) 3 Moderate 2 Sphagnu sp Moist 2 Very wet 4 High 3 . Pool , rich L Wet 3 Saturated 5 Lichen-tich lr Very wet 4 S Conifer c Water above Sediment Deciduo us h surface 5 ^ ^ Thicket M Meadow . Otherjjodifier, ^ J Lowsh.rub Is Flooded (F) Silt SI Deep d Cutover (C) Clay CL Shallow s Post-fire (P) Till n Shrub-rich sr Raf. Keys for others l l l l l l l APPENDIX C l Keys To Peatland Classification l l l l l l l l l l l The following keys are presented in this order: KEYS TO WETLAND CLASSIFICATION USED BY THE ONTARIO PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT 1. Key to Wetland Formations J.L. Riley 2. Key to Subformations Ontario Geological Survey A. Bogs, Fens, falsa/Peat Plateau 1963 B. Maritime shorelines 3. Key to Physiognomic Groups The Ontario Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural A. Swamps Resources is conducting a survey of the peat and peatland B. Bog, Fen, Palsa/Peat Plateau resources of Ontario. C. Marsh and Meadow Marsh For the preparation of peatland classification mapping 4. Other Modifiers and classification of vegetation types by field crews, the following keys have been prepared for use on peatlands 5. Keys or Catalogues of Dominance Types across Ontario. The classification system is hierachical so that it can be used at several levels of detail depending on 6. Schematic of subformat ions and physiognomic groups the user's need or on the data available. At it's most as applied to wetland formations in Ontario detailed level, the classification would include the following: 1. KEY TO WETLAND FORMATIONS Example i l FORMATION l Bog A. Well-drained hilltops, steep to moderate slopes, sand la Subformation la Treed flats, levees, beach ridges, permafrost tundra, bedrock outcrop, littoral banks, etc. Stands normally dominated by 2 Physiognomic Group 2 Lowshrub dry land species of trees and herbaceous or evergreen shrub or ground vegetation. Or, large expanses of open standing 3 Dominance Type 3 Picea marlana-Chamaedaphne or flowing water > 2 m deep and/or more than 10 ha in size calyculata during drawdown period...... NON-WETLANDS Site Type 4. Picea mariana26-chamaedaphne , - (MINERAL/SOIL UPLAND AND DEEP WATER) calyculata"-Sphagnum fuscum ' A. Basins, depressions, adjacent low slopes, areas with In the Peatland Inventory Project, classification restricted drainage, drainways, floodplalns, littoral mapping is conducted to the level of physiognomic group) terraces, and seasonally or tidally flooded areas.. Water ex. Treed lowshrub Bog. The dominance type or site type is table at, near or above the land surface for part of the not mapped but is recorded by field crews; superscripts year, or saturated long enough to promote wetland or aquatic refer to percentage cover values of particular species. processes such as hydric or organic soils, or hydrophilic vegetation. Some wetlands may have seasonally variable Where suitable data are available, similar superscripts water levels ranging from flooded spring conditions to are applied to mapping units at the phyiognomic level) ex. summer drought conditions with water tables SO cm or more Treed'' lowshrubs** Bog, or T2Z ls* 2B. The classification below the average land or peat surface. keys include abbreviations of all units in order to simplify ....WETLANDS mapping. Abbreviations are always in the order of Subformation (where applicable) - Physiognomic Group - 1. Well defined aquatic basins or shoreline zones Formation. Other modifiers reflecting site history may also transitional to deep water areas; inorganic or be added; ex. (P) for post-fire succession. organic substrates. Vegetation of submergent, floating or emergent species in standing water This type of classification has been in use by field O m deep, or on exposed substrate during water workers for several years. It is modified from the initial drawndown periods such as low tides or summer system proposed by Zoltai et a l. 1973, Jeglum et al. 1974, drought. Periodically or permanently flooded Jeglum and Boissonneau 1977, Tarnocai 1979, with the by silt or nutrient enriched lake or river addition of published and unpublished data from elsewhere in waters. In exposed wave-washed situations, may the province (eg. Haycock (in prep) in the south, and Ahti be on mineral soil, whereas muck and/or peat and Hepburn 1967, Riley and HcKay 1980, and Riley 1981 in may accumulate in less disturbed sites, some the extreme north). times to depths of XO cm (i.e. organic soils >n^ organic C, )30I organic matter by weight). 2. Basins or basin margins covered at least 751 by permanently open water, usually < 2 m 4. Forming a level, gradually raised (domed), deep and associated with flowing or or sloping surface with a (usually) standing lakes, rivers or ponds. Usually hummock-hollow topography, usually with a with sparse floating, submergent or partly continuous carpet of mosses dominated by emergent vegetation K25i cover by Sphagnum spp. (particularly S. fyscum in emergents). the hummock phase). Usually~with a ground ...... SHALLOW HATER (W) cover of graminoids or of mostly ericaceous shrubs, without trees or with short trees 2. Unconsolidated, open, flat or depressed KlOm) with more or less open canopy surface with herbaceous emergent sedges, (usually O5I, Picea martana, or Larlx grasses, cattails and reeds ()25l cover) lariclna in transitional sites). Lacking interspersed in standing water (or emergent species indicative of minerotrophy (refer at low tide at coastal sites). With Key 3). With or without subsurface occasional small pools and channels or discontinuous permafrost or seasonal frost) patches of mineral soil exposed during occasionally with incipient palsa formation seasonal (or tidal) water drawdowns. Often north of ea. Sl'N. associated with and periodically flooded by ,.,...BOG (B) the mineral-enriched ground waters of open stream or rivers, flowing lakes, glacial 4. Forming an erratic topography of depressions, or marine terraces or flats. (perrenial) permafrost eruptions (palsas) Can be contiguous to or grade into Thicket or coalesced palsa fields (peat plateaus) SWAMP with a shrub element up to 251 rising )2 m above ambient landform level, cover. Can grade into the semi-terrestrial with more or less continuous frozen peat Meadow HARSH (mM) from which it is cores and often with patterning of VJ1 distinguished' by standing water usually interstitial bog/fen drainways at the present, more glosed vegetation, and ambient landform level. Surface vegetation continuous underlying sedge peat. dominated by lichens, ericaceous shrubs, ...... HARSH (H) with or without tree cover (Picea mariana up to ea. 251). . Less well defined basins in which open standing water is absent or restricted to scattered .PALSA/PEAT PLATEAU (PP) small pools, often of a seasonal nature) substrates of saturated (or seasonally dry) 3. Predominantly minerotrophic wetland, developed peat MO cm deep. on graminoid, woody or "brown moss" peat, or, if with abundant sphagnum at the surface, not 3. Predominantly ombrotrophic or weakly .usually underlain with a continuous horizon of. minerotrophic peatlands, developed on acidic pure sphagnum peat ^0 cm) sites variably peat (pH of water 10 cm below water table influenced by lateral or groundwater input of usually C5.2, unless water has been mineral soil water. significantly drawn down by summer drought). Accumulation of peat XO cm dominated 5. Minerotrophic wetlands, heavily wooded or surficially by poorly decomposed sphagnum with shrub thickets over 2m tall )25I peat; isolated from mineral soil water water cover. Usually with hummocky surface movement. Strictly ombrotrophic peatlands broken by wet interstitial hollows, or usually have ground water pH's ^.2 (4.4), relatively flat with many spring-flooded with Ca levels O ppm. pools) with ^S-301 canopy cover of trees (or shrubs greater than 2 m tall in Thicket This distinction is difficult in tidal and broad littoral SWAMP). Substrate of mixtures of sites where water drawndown or incursion varies seasonally transported mineral and organic sediments, or daily, such as in spring floods or neap/storm tides. or peat (usually woody or with sphagnum Tor those arid other sites with more or less variable surface) deposited in situ. Often standing water (such as beaver meadows) the term Meadow seasonally flooded or flooded by beaver MARSH (mM) has been used by Jeglum and Boissonneau 1977, dams, or with interstitial hollows of and Riley and HcKay 1980. standing water and hummocks restricted to deadfall- or tree/ shrub basest flooding can decrease tree density to lesa than 251 by contiguous to open water or open drainage dieback. (Distinguished from the rarer systems, in which case the trophic level High Density TREED BOG by its location on of the poatland may reflect the water the wetter edges of peatlands, or by the chemistry 'of the adjacent water body. occurrence of an understorey of Alnus For instance, in infilling "kettle" rugose or Salix spp., or surficial depressions, fen margins and floating substrate of sphagnum peat OO cm, or by mats around acidic 'kettle' lakes may be the more vigorous growth of trees, often only weakly minerotrophic and, thus, those over 10 cm DBH ^54 cover). bog-like in varying degrees (Schwintzer ...... SWAMP (S) 1978, 1980; Vitt and Slack 1975). Root or stump hummocks are common, and hollows (Occasionally some heavily treed conifer may or may not have shallow water present peatlands keying out as SWAMP differ from over the peat. typical swamps in occurring on deep, more ...... FEN (F) or less dry peats, and having such dense (6. In many FENS, conditions are only weakly canopy closure that almost no shrub or minerotrophic, and both BOG and FEN ground cover persists. Larix laricina has indicator species exist. Often sphagnum been noted as the dominant species on such and black spruce are dominant, sites in both northern and southern Ontario particularly in the "hummock" phase, and Because of the density of tree growth and a site will appear to be transitional in the dryness of the peat, they may be better terms of succession from FEN to BOG. classified as PEAT FOREST (PPI). Such formations may be termed OPEN or TREED Poor FEN (O or TPF). Open or sparsely wooded minerotrophic wetlands with level or depressional Because this classification unit' is more surfaces except for low hummocks or ridges; nutrient-related than physiognomic, it dominated by sedges, grasses and/or should probably not be considered as a (mostly) non-ericaceous shrubs. Tree cover formation of equivalent importance to the may reach 25* in FENS (Larix laricina, others. It should only be used "as a Thuja occidentalis) but is usually less last resort" by workers experienced with than 10 m in height and has an understorey the full range of peatland nutrient of low shrubs and/or graminoids rather than conditions. It does, however, provide a tall alder or willow shrubs; pools of open descriptive means of characterizing some water or drainage tracks may be present. - extensive peatlands in the James Bay Open or sparsely wooded, with relatively Lowland and the northern Clay Belt in uniform and consolidated surface, north particular. of 50"N often with sub- parallel ridges ...... Poor FEN (PF)) or elevated islands, linear drainage features and small dispersed pools; more homogenous physiognomically in the south and often with dumped cedar surface. Vegetation consists of short sedges and grasses, and a variable layer of (mostly) non- ericaceous shrubs and trees. Often associated with the co-called "brown mosses" (Campylium stellatum, Drepanocladus revolvens, Tomenthypnum nitens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Palludella sguarrosa, Cailiergon giganteum) if pH's )5.5, or with Sphagnum spp. if pli is 5.0 to 6.0, or by ''marl peats" if pH's )7.0. May be 2. KEtf TO SUBFORHATIONS 3. KEY TO PHYSIOGNOMIC GROUPS A,.Bog, Fen, Palsa/Peat Plateau A. SWAMP 1. Cover by tree species H50 cm tall <10% 1. Tree species dominant . .OPEN (O*) 2. Conifers dominant (Picea rtiariana, Larix (Abbreviated to Ox if a superscript lariclna, Thuja occidental is). annotation of canopy cover percentage is ..Conifer (c) available! for example, O 8 ). (Conifer swamp on peatlands or organic Cover by tree species M50 cm tall HOI soils vary considerably in their nutrient (rarely to 504); trees species MOcm DBH status and dominance types. In this cover. physiognomic classification, that variation .TREED is not recognized. However, at more detailed nutrient-related classification (Abbreviated to T* if a superscript may be required by workers. In such cases, annotation of canopy cover percentage reference should be made to the Forest is available) for example, T22 : otherwise Ecosytem Operational Groups 11-13 (Jones fii refer to 2). ftl. 1963) for more detailed mapping units useful across most of northern Ontarioi 2. 10-154 cover by tree species )150 cm tall OG11, Picea marlana - Ledum groenlandicum ...... Low Density TREED (TUd)) OG12, Picea roariana'-Alnus rugosa-herb poort OG13,.Picea marianai (Larix lariclna, Thuja 2. 15-254 cover by tree species M50 cm tall; occidentalis) - Alnus rugosa - herb rich). cover on occasion...... Medium Density TREED (T(md)) 2. Deciduous (hardwood) trees dominant (Fraxinus nig.ra, F. pennsylvanica, Populus Where cover by tree species M50 cm tall )304 cover, and spp., Acer saccharinum, A. rubrum, Ulmus trees over 10 cm DBH ^51 cover, the stand may usually be americana, Salix nigra, Carya spp.,~Quercus considered to be SWAMP. High Density TREED BOG (T(hd)Bj roacrocarpa, O. palustris, Nyssa syivatica, canopy )25l) is a much less frequent site type in Ontario, etc.) occurring in the central (or raised) areas of well developed ...... Deciduous (h) bogs, with less vigorous tree growth than Conifer SWAMP. It is not associated with Alnus rugosa or Salt x spp. which (Note that Mixed SWAMPS may be classified occupy more minerotrophic and wetter areas of peatland edges as follows: conifer (dominant)-deciduous and drains. High Density TREED BOG is usually dominated by (sub- dominant) SWAMP is chs, deciduous Leduiri groenlandicum in the shrub storey, and is transitional (dominant)-conifer (subdominant) SWAMP as to the L. arpenlandicum type of Picea mar i ana SWAMP. This hcS, and superscripts may be used to distinction may be difficult to judge on airphotos from much indicate respective cover percentages; ex. of northern Ontario. h35c i5Si Tne same procedure may be used with mixed thicket-deciduous SWAMP, thS or B. Maritime Shorelines htS). In maritime Ontario, two other modifying terms are used at 1. Tree species less than 254 cover and shrub the subformation level, both referring to MARSH and Meadow species over 2m tall > 2b\ ( Alnus rugosa, Salix MARSH, and the latter to Thicket SWAMP as well. These refer petiolaris, other Salix spp., Betula pumlla to wetlands other than peatlands. they are physiographic var. fllandulifera, Cornus stolonifera, C. rather than formational modifiers, but relate strongly to racemosa, Rhus vernix, Cephalanthus the floristic composition of Dominance Types within occidentalis, Ilex verticillate, etc.). Grades otherwise similar Physiognomic Units, into Shrub-rich MARSH in southern Ontario, from which it can be distinguished by its firm, more 1. Formations within the marine (saline) influence of or less consolidated peat surface, its relative James and Hudson Bay. lack of open drainways and streams, and its .COASTAL (C) denser and taller shrub cover...... Thicket (t) 1. Formations subject to tidal effects ameliorated by the freshwater influence of major rivers...... ESTUARINE (E) B. BOG, FEN or FALSA/PEAT PLATEAU 1. Shrubs present, as low or dwarf shrubs OSO cm 2. On PALSA, PEAT PLATEAU, and some BOG and FEN )2S* cover, or tall shrubs 10-30(40)1 cover. sites in extreme northern Ontario, shrubs may. Where the height of shrub cover is not be very low, OO cm tall and over 10* cover) discernible from air photo interpretation, the these represent extremes of climatic exposure generic Physiognomic Group 'Shrub-rich'(sr) can or ombrotrophy and the physiognomic group be used, and understood to include both tall 'Dwarf Shrub1 (ds) should be used. As with shrub and low shrub groups. In very few cases Lowshrub types, 'semi-shrubs' should not be should more than a single physiognomic modifier considered in this distinction. be applied; where more than one may be ...... Dwarf Shrub (ds) considered applicable, the shrub storey takes precedence over the graminoid/herb and sphagnum (In extreme northern Ontario, OPEN and TREED layers, the graminoid/herb layer takes BOG and PALSA/PEAT PLATEAU can have a precedence over sphagnum, and the latter is conspicuous lichen cover (Cladina spp.) over used only where neither shrub nor grarainoid/ 4S-50* cover, and should be indicated as herb layer is significant by the definitions Lichen-rich (Ir) Lowshrub (Is) Formations). used below...... Lichen-rich (Ir) 2. Shrubs over 150 cm tall 10-30 (40)* cover, in 1. Shrubs either not present or present at cover northern Ontario, shrub species include values less than indicated above. Chamaedaphne calyculata (B,F), Kalmia angustifolia (B), Thuja occidentalis (F, as 3. Firm peatland above water most of the scrub cedar), Betula pumila var. glandulifera year. (F), Salix pedicellaris (F), Myrica gale (F)i in southern Ontario,tKe above species and 4. Conspicuous graminoid layer (sedges, OO Aronia prunifolia (B,F), Nemopanthus grasses, reeds)X8)-10* covert mucronata (B), Vaccinium corymbosum (B), (B graminoid cover exceeds shrub cover and F indicate general BOG or FEN percentaget characteristic species are tendencies). Carex aquatills (F), C. chordorrMza ...... Tall Shrub (ts) (F), C.djandra (F), t". Interior (F), C. laslocarpa (F). C. llmosa (B.F). C. 2. Shrubs, where present, mostly 20-150 cm tall Tivida (F), C.. oliQosperma (B), C. (or with less than 10* cover by shrubs microglochin~(B), C . pauperculus TB), greater than 150cm)j low candelbra or layered C. rostrata (F), Equisetum fluviatile black spruce less than 135 cm would be (F), Eriophorum spissum (B), E. included in percentage estimates of shrub yiridicarinatum (F), Sc'irpus cespitosus cover; shrubs less than 13S cm tall greater (F,B), S. hudsonianus (F), Triglochin . than 25* cover (101 in the Hudson Bay maritimum (F), (B and F refer to Lowland) forming the main visual impact but general BOG and FEN tendencies)) sites may also have significant graminoid included in this layer are peatland component i includes most of the shrub species forbs and 'semi-shrubs' such as listed for Tall Shrub sites, with the Vaccinium pxyoccus (B,F), Rubus addition of dwarfed candelabra Picea mariana charaaemorus (B), R. acauiis" F,?B), and (B), Ledurn groenlandicum (B,F), Andromeda Gaultheria hispidula (B,F J glaucophylla (B,F), A. poll folia (F), Graminoid (g) Vaccinium myrt illoides (B), Rhamnus Tlnifolius (F), Potent i l la fruticosa (F), 4. Sphagnum moss dominant at surface) Gaylussacia baccate (B), (B and F refer to shrubs, herbs and graminoids OOI general BOG or FEN tendencies). cover. 'Semi-shrubs' such as Vaccinium oxycoccus, ...... Sphagnum (sp) V. macrocarpon, Rubus pubescens, R. chamaemorus, R. acaulis, Gaultheria Small water bodies occurring within the hispidula, should not be included in shrub peatland, often with a patterned cover values. distribution) usually contiguous with Open ,..... Lowshrub (Is) BOG or FEN) rare except for the Hudson Bay Lowland...... Pool (p) C. HARSH and MEADOW HARSH water levels at the surface (e.g. after 1. Closed graminoid and herb (rarely lowshrub) summer water drawdown, or in consolidated . vegetation behind zones of coastal or cattail MARSH) to standing water up to 2 shoreline emergent vegetation, and on wet m deep (e.g. Scirpus spp.). r l loodplains, terraces or supertidal areas ...... Deep (d) adjacent to open water systems) some of the more common dominant species are indicated in 3. Canopy 75-1001) standing water and/or couplet 2. Usually seasonally flooded, muck/mud flats beneath canopy or between flooded in the recent past (e.g. beaver), or clumps. Characterized by more or less subject to storm or neap tide floods) continuous stands of tall emergents graminoid cover is characteristic so that no (Meadow MARSH would tend to have dominant Physiognomic modifier (e.g. g) is required. graminoids of lower stature)) with (In supertidal, coastal sites, lowshrub cover surface-water up to l n (f loodstages), (less than 251 cover, mostly Sal i x spp.) may but usually less during much of the be dominant and can be indicated as Lowshrub summer months. Meadow HARSH (IsmM; often grading into ...... Shallow (s) Thicket SWAMP)...... Meadow (m) 2. Sedges, grasses, reeds or cattails present l....Lowshrub Meadow Ism) but dominated by shrub species (e.g. Spirora alba, Cornug etolonifera. Ilex 1. Emergent vegetation in or adjacent to open verticillate, Hyrica gale, Decodqn shallow water, pools or channels) commonly verticillatus, Cephalanthus occidental is)) interspersed or dominated by clumps of usually the more or lessunconsolidated vegetation (rooted, or unconsolidated and edges'of Thicket or MARSH. A minor floating) with open water channels between, physiognomic unit most common in southern or with open water beneath the canopy of Ontario, grading into Thicket SWAMP in many sedges, grasses, reeds or cattails) cover by areas) for example, in extreme southwestern emergents or shrubs )25*. Ontario where Cephalanthus occidentalis (In air photo interpretation, the following grows much larger. classes of HARSH may not be readily ....Shrub-rich ( sr) distinguishable. In such cases where ground data is unavailable for referencing wetland MARSH and Meadow HARSH vary considerably in their Dominant types, a generic term such as Emergent HARSH species in relation to their proximity to the maritime (eM) should be used in mapping from air coast, where they cover extensive areas (refer Riley and photos). HcKay 1980, for James Bay dominance types). 2. Sedges, grasses, reeds or cattails 1. MARSH subject to spring and other exceptional dominant. Dominant marsh species vary a tides and consequent marine ice scouring) great deal across Ontario) dominant consistently Meadow HARSH, grading further herbaceous species may include away from-coastal areas into freshwater HARSH Calamagrostis canadensis, Typha latifolia, and Headow MARSH) often broken by supertidal Phalaris arundinacea, Carex aquatilis, cT pools with considerably elevated salinity and diandra, C. jacustris, C. pseudo-cyperuS, frequency of haloyphytic plant species. C. strTcta, Bidens spp.7 Polygonum natans .....Supertidal (Sup) Utricularia vulgaris, Lythrum salicaria, Thelypteris palustrTs, and many others. 1. MARSH subject to regular tidal influence) Hay occur on mineral, muck, well-decomposed grading into Supertidal Headow MARSH, but graminoid peat, or layering of these usually with emergent beachridge deposits or substrate types. deposits of tidal debris forming some boundary between 'regular' vs. 'exceptional' 3. Canopy cover 25-751) standing water and/ tidal activity) halophytic plant species or muck/mud flats beneath canopy or dominate except in Estuarine areas between clumps; characterized by extreme ameliorated by freshwater input. variation in water levels, ranging from ....Intertidal lint) 4. OTHER MODIFIERS 6. Schematic of Subfprroattons and Physiognomic Groups as applied to Wetland Formations in Ontario. Modifiers reflecting site history can add significantly to the meaning of mapped or reported Physiognomic Groups; modifiers should be placed in brackets after the SWAMP S abbreviation of Physiognomic Group. BOG B PEN F Flooded by beaver, roadway or other PALSA/PEAT PLATEAU PP (e.g. dS(F)) (F) HARSH M OPEN HATER W Cutover and/or recent secondary succession. (C) (Poor FEN PF) Post-fire succession. (P) Grazed (G * Drained, or effected by drains through the area (D) Conifer (c) cs Agricultural use (A) Deciduous (h) hS Mixed Swamp chS,hcS, 5. KEYS OR CATALOGUES OF DOMINANCE TYPES (ch,hc,th, etc. etc,) Dominance Types have strongly regional characteristics Ul dependent on the distribution of particular plant species Thicket (t) ts o across Ontario. These Dominance Types have been categorized for the Northern Clay Belt (Jeglum, Boissonneau, Haavisto 1974) and for the James/Hudson Bay Lowland (Riley 1961), but are available for southern B. Bog, Fen, Palsa/Peat Plateau Ontario only through the completed matrices for P.F. Maycock's 'Preliminary survey of the vegetation of Ontario as a basis for the establishment of a OPEN(O) TREED(T) comprehensive Nature Reserve system' (in prep., O.M.N.R., Park Planning Branch). Shrub-rich (sr) Os r B TsrB OsrF TsrF. OlsB TlsB Lowshrub (Is) 01 SP TlsF OlsPP TlsPP Tall shrub (ts) OtsB TtsB OtsF TtsF Dwarf shrub (ds) OdsB OdsPP
Graminoid (g) OgB TgB OgF TgF Sphagnum (sp) OspB TspF Pool (P) Op B OpF OlrB Lichen-rich (Ir) Olrls or dsB TlrlsB Olrls or dsPP TlrlsPP OlrPP C. Marsh Haycock, P. (in prep) A preliminary survey of the vegetation of Ontario as a basis for the establishment of a comprehensive Nature Reserve system; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks Planning (Freshwater) Coastal (C) Estuarine (E) Branch. Meadow (m) mM CmM EroM Riley, J.L. 1981i Provlsonal wetland classification for the Hudson Lowshrub (Is) ClsraM ElsmH Bay Lowland and the major regional themes. Parke and Recreation Section, Northern Region, Ontario Emergent (e) eM Ministry of Natural Resources, Cochrane, Ontario Deep (d) dH 72pp. Unpublished. Riley, J.L., and HcKay, S.M. Shallow (s) sH 1980: The vegetation and phytogeography of coastal southwestern James Bay; Royal Ontario Museum, Shrub-rich (sr) srM Life Science Contribution No. 124, 81pp. Supertidal (Sup) CSupraM ESupmH Schwintzer, C.R. Intertidal (Int) CIntM 197Bi Vegetation and nutrient status of northern EIntH Michigan fens. Canadian Journal of Botany 56: 3044-3051. Ul 1981i Vegetation and nutrient status of northern Michigan bogs and conifer swamps with a comparison References cited in Appendix 6.3 to fens; Canadian Journal of Botany 59: 842-853. Tarnocai, C. Ahti, T., and Hepburn, R.L. 1979: Canadian Wetland Registry; pp. 9-38, in 1967: Preliminary studies on Woodland Caribou range, C.O.A. Rubec and F.C. Pol le11 (eds.), Proceedings especially on lichen stands in Ontario; Ontario of a Workshop in Canadian Wetlands. Environment De pt. of Lands and Forests, Research Report Canada, Lands Directorate, Ecological Land (Wildlife) No. 74, 134p. Classification Series, No.12, 90pp. Jeglum, J.K., and Boissonneau, A.N. Vitt, D.H. and Slack, M.G. 1977: Air photo interpretation of wetlands, Northern 1975: An analysis of the vegetation of Sphagnum- Clay Section, Ontario) Canadian Forestry Service, dominated kettle-hole bogs in relation to Sault ste Marie, Ontario; Information Report environmental gradients; Canadian Journal of O-X-269, 44p. Botany 53: 332-359. Jeglum, J.K., Boissonneau, A.N. and Haavisto, V.F. Zoltai, S.C., Pollett, e ,C., Jeglum, J.K., and Adams, G.D. 1974: Toward a wetland classification for Ontario; 1973: Developing a wetland classification for Canada; Canadian Forestry Service, Sault Ste. Marie, Proceedings of the 4th North American Forest Soils Ontario; Information Report O-X-215, 54pp. Conference, Quebec City (Aug. 1973), pp.497-511. l Jones, R.K., Pierpoint, G., Wickware, G.M., Jeglum, J.K., Arnup, R.W., and Bowles, J.M. 1963: Field Guide to Forest Ecosystem Classification for the Clay Belt, Site Region 3E| Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Queen's Printer for Ontario, 123 pp. , Closely related to LOW SHRUB BOG, 1n terms of vegetation and PHYSIOGNOMIC GROUPS relative dryness, Is LICHEN BOG. He have not Included this physiognomic BOG group for the Northern Clay Section because 1t Is poorly developed In comparison with those further north in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Ahtl and Hepburn (1967, Fig. 6) show a photograph of a dry bog from the Kapuskasing area with low shrubs.(leather-leaf) on the hummocks, and reindeer lichen B OPEN BOG In the hollows; this would probably still be classed as LOW SHRUB BOG, but In areas where the lichens attain higher percentage cover than the low shrubs the site should be classified as LICHEN BOG. Bl SPHAGNUM BOG Other more or less equivalent units have been designated "water TREED BOG logged* Spjjainum bogs in depressions with a sparse field layer or none" (cf. Finnish "Sllma'keneva" and German "Kolkmoor", Kalela 1962b). TB1 GRAMINOIO-RICH TREED 80G This physiognomic group is characterized by a wet Sphagnum mat overlying poorly decomposed Sphagnum peat moss (Fig. 15; see also 23, 24). Other nore or less equivalent units have been designated "black It includes the wet filling stages of bog pools, ponds and lakes (Fig. 16). spruce with Carex" (Lafond 1958), "low, boggy black spruce forest" The ground surface Is generally flat and the Sphagnum mat is either spongy (Baldwin 1958, Plate V-B), "black spruce-sedge community" (Losee 1961a), or floating. This group is oligotrophic or very oligotrophic, and is the "wet swamp forest" (Kalela 1962b), and "black spruce-sedge swamp" (Ahtl wettest in the bog formation with surface water levels. The successional and Hepburn 1967) . trend is toward GRAMINOID BOG, the most closely related group. This group is characterized by scattered, stunted black spruce, U1 62 GRAMINOID BOG a field layer with medium-sized gramlnolds (e.g., Carex oligosperma, C., exilis). and low shrubs (usually leather-leaf) (Fig. 19). The ground Other more or less equivalent units have been designated "floating layer is dominated by Sphagnum which Is underlain by a continuous Sphagnum bog" (Baldwin 1958, Plate Xl-A), "Sphagnum-rich sedge fen" (Ahtl and Hepburn peat (cf. GRAMINOID BOGjTiFrequently the type consists of two phases. 1967) and "sedge-cotton grass bog" (Ritchie 1959, 1960a). In one phase, the relatively abundant low bog shrubs are associated with sedges on slightly elevated mounds or Islands. In the other phase, GRAMINOID BOGS are characterized by the presence of a conspicuous gramlnolds are clearly dominant In the lower, more open areas. The most gramlnoid layer above a continuous Sphagnum ground cover (Fig. 16, l?). common Sphagnum mosses are S., fallax (green or yellow-green In color) and The ground surface may be relatively firm or buoyant (spongy or floating). the large-leaved, red S., maqenanicum. Nutrient status is usually weakly Generally, the species of sedges can tolerate, or even grow better in, the mlnerotropMc (oligotrophic). Of the TREED BOG groups this is the wettest, oligotrophic to very oligotrophic conditions of these Sphagnum-rich sites. with surface-water level or wet conditions. Moisture regime, which can be surface-water level or wet, is between that of SPHAGNUM BOG and LOW SHRUB BOG. The successional trend is to LOW SHRUB BOG-. TB2 SHRUB-RICH TREED BOG 63 LOW SHRUB BOG Other nore or less equivalent units have been designated "open bog forest" (Hustich 1955, 1957a), "dry phase of the Chamaedaphne community", Other nore or less equivalent units have been designated "open with Black Spruce and Labrador-tea (Segadas-Vianna 1955), "Sphagnunr-Ledum- bog" (with Leather-leaf dominant, Baldwin 1958, Plate V-A: Jeglum 1972, Chamaedaphne Site Type" (in part, when Chamaedaphne dominates, Maclean Fig. 13), "mature or consolidated bog phase with erlcaceous shrubs" •nd Bedell 1955), "Sphagnum fuscun bogs with scattered dwarfed black (Ritchie 1959), "heath bog" (Ritchie 1960a), "dry bog" (Ahtl and Hepburn spruces, only 2-4 n high (Kalela 1962b, which he also compared to the 1967, Fig. 6), and "northern bog shrublands (heath bog)" (Penfound 1967). Finnish "rahkarame" and the German "Heldemoor", and "dwarf bog forest" (Dale and Hoffman 1969). This unit Includes some of the sites described This physiognomic group is characterized by a conspicuous stratum as "muskeg" (Johnson and Sharpe 1923; Lewis and Dowdlng 1926; Ritchie of low, ericaceous shrubs above a continuous Sphagnum ground cover (Fig. 18). 1956; Ahtl and Hepburn 1967; Jeglum 1972, Fig. 14-16), "black spruce Tree cover of individuals ^ 135 cm tall is less than 10X. The ground is muskeg" (Hustich 1949, 1955, 1957a; Kalela 1962b; Bates and Slmkln 1969), usually firm (sometimes quaking) and the surface is Irregular owing to and "BOSS muskeg" (Ritchie 1960b, 1960c) in those cases where the sites hummocks and hollows. Nutrient status Is oligotrophic to very oligotrophic. were not producing merchantable trees, the canopy covers were less than These are dry OPEN BOGS, with wet to wet mesic conditions. Often these are the result of burning of SHRUB-RICH TREED BOGS {cf. Lewis et al. 1928; Ahti and Hepburn 1967, Fig. 16; Jeglum 1972, Fig. 13). The successional trend is toward SHRUB-RICH TREED BOG. DOMINANCE TYPES about 30!:, and there was a well-developed horizon of nutrient-poor peat noss beneath the site. BOG This group Is characterized by a conspicuous field layer of low, ericaceous shrubs, and an overstory of usually unmerchantable, open-grown Black Spruce (cover of Individuals j. 135 cm In height 1s 10~30[-40]t) (Fig. B OPEN BOG 20). The ground layer 1s dominated by Sphagnum In the motster sites, and by feather mosses (especially Plem-oilum scnVeberl) 1n the drier and more shaded sites. The ground Is firm but Irregular owing to the presence of Bl SPHAGNUM BOG hummocks and hollows. Similar to LOW SHRUB BOG, nutrient regime Is oligotrophic to very oligotrophic, and moisture regime is wet to wet mesic. Dominants observed thus far in this open, relatively sedge- and i shrub- f ree BOG type include Sphagnum cuspidatum, S. fallax, S,. mageUanicum. In the Northern Clay Section. LICHEN-RICH TREED BOG (cf. "lichen S. pa lustre and S. rubellum {Fig. 15, 16; cf . SjoFs 1963, Plate "V-Ajr muskeg", Ritchie 1960b. 1960c) is not developed, the low shrub layer A~ll of these species inhabit weakly mlnerotrophic (oligotrophic) sites, always having more cover than lichens. The lichen-rich type becomes much but only the first and last mentioned are definitely capable of dominating more predominant further north in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, ombrotiphic sites. B2 GRAMIN01D BOG Grsminoid dominants or codominants In this physiognomic group Include Carex exills. C. limosa; C. ollgosperma (Fig. 16, 17), C. pauclflora, Ul C. paupercuTa', EriophoFunTspissum and Scheuchzerja palustris. These species 00 are generally wore robust and prodgctlve on weakly mlnerotrophic sites, hut range Into ombro trophic BOGS. Sphagnum dominants on these sedge-rich sites Include S. cuspidatum In the wetter pockets ; S., fallax. S., magellanlcum and S.. palustre usually on weakly mlnerotrophtc sites; and S. rubeTlum ulually on ombrotrophlc sites (see Fig. 23, 24) (cf. "red bog"" described as a type of "wet raised bog", Ahtl and Hepburn 1967; "wet raised bogs", Bates and Slmkln 1969; Sjors 1961c, Fig. 3). In one stand Eriophorum splssum and S. rube 11 mn were the leading dominants on a sloping, linearly patterned BOG as the intermediate open phase between TREED BOG Islands (see Fig. 25). Oansereau (1959) notes Sclrpus caespitosus [a i. cespitosus] ("Scirpetum caespitqsl") as a dense mat fringing many alpine BOGS or acid lakes. J oy a l (1970) describes a Sphagnp-Calamagrostetum associa tion In which Calamaqrostis canadensis 1s the most Important graminoid. Other gramlnolds listed in this type were Juncus canadensis, J^. effusus. Sclrpus rubrotinctus.tinc and Typha latlfoKa. Clearly, this latter type has mi nero trophic influence, and Is a recent conversion of MARSH to GRAMINOID BOG. B3 LOW SHRUB BOG The roost common Clay Belt type 1s CHAMAEDAPHNE CALICUUU (LEATHER-LEAF )-VM SHRUB BOG (see Fig. 18; cf. "Chamaedaphne community". Segadas-Vlanna 1955;- "open bog on thick peat: Chamaedaphne calycylata dominant", Husttch 1957b; "open bog" with leather-leaf dominant, Baldwin 1958, Plate V-A; "Chamaedaphnetum calyculatae", Dansereau 1959; Joyal 1970; "dry bog", Anti and Hepburn 1967, F1g.~6, 16; Reader and Stewart 1971). The leather-leaf community has been further subdivided Into three similar units by both Segadas-Vlanna (1955) and Joyal (1970), with dif ferences related to florlstics, nutrient status, and successional status. Black Spruce/Dense Cotton-grass s ite type , This type is a complex of phases similar to the preceding type, and colder than the Northern Clay Section, Labrador-tea is often the dominant Shrub in LOW SHRUB BOG and TREED BOG (cf. "Ledum moor", Lewis et al. 1928; "black spruce muskeg", Husttch 1957a; "open phase of black, also similar, but nutrient status is poorer, and is reflected by tne spruce-peat moss association*, Moss 1955; "open bog" and "muskeg", Jeglum 1972). Andromeda, or Kalmia species may sometimes become important lower stature and lesser luxuriance of the dominant graminoid species, In the Northern Clay Section (cf. Baldwin 1958). Andromeda glaucophylla the poorer tree growth, and the less frequent occurrence of plants indic is locally dominant In OPEN or TREED BOGS that are~weakly minerotrophic ative of minerotrophic conditions. and relatively wet (surface-water levels) (cf. "Andromedetum glaucophyllae" Oansereau 1959). In central Canada Andromeda polifolia is a dominant in TB2 SHRUB-RICH TREED BOG LOW SHRUB FEN (Jeglum 1972) but also ranges Into BOG conditions. Kalmia angustlfolia (cf. "Kalmietum angustifoljae", Ibid.) sometimes Is locally Black Spruae/Leather-leaf s ite type important in dry and eroded BOGS which also may have been burned (ibid.). Kalmia polifolia. though important as patches, never attains clear A oore or less equivalent unit Is "Sphagnum-Ledmn-Chagiaedaphne dominance In stand-sized areas. Site Type" (when dominated by Chamaedaphne. Maclean and Bedell 195S). This type is Included in Dansereau's (1959) "Piceeton ertcaceua". Two main moss dominants are found: Sphagnum fallax on wetter, and slightly minerotrophic sites, and S^. fuscum in drier and usually Stands of this type are, for the most part, unmerchantable (see ombrotiphic conditions (cf. "treeless Sphagnum fuscum bogs with a dense Fig. 20). Stand canopies are even more open (10-30 [40]t) than those of carpet of subshrubs" [-Finnish "rahkaneva".German "Sphagnum fuscum- \jl the closely related Black Spruoe/Labrador-tea-CWlflR SWAMP type (cf. Welssmoor"] Kalela 1962b; "Sphagnum fuscum bog". AhtT ami HepburnT967, jr Fig. 20 and Fig. 12). Fig. 16). Stands with Sphagnum fuscum may be so dry that ant hills are found, and these stands often have a fair amount of regeneration sug Three phases are recognized according to the dominant moss. These gesting that they may have been opened by fire (cf. "Ledum moor". Lewis are, from wettest to'driest, (1) Sphagnum fallax. (li) S. fuscum. and et al. 1928) and may be slowly reverting to the closely related Black (ill) Pleurozium schreberi. These are similar to the same three phases 1n Spruee/leather-leaf type Of TREED BOG (cf. Hustich 1957b). the Black Spruce/Labrador-tea s ite type, but generally are poorer In nutrients, and frequently occur in very oligotrophic to oligotrophic sites. Indicators of minerotrophy which may be present in small amounts include TB TREED BOG Betula glandulosa var. glandulifera. Calamagrostis canadensis. Carex aguatiUs. C. stricta. Henyanthes trifoKata. Potentilla galu'strls. and Salix pedicellaris. TB1 GRAMINOID-RICH TREED BOG Ahti and Hepburn (1967) note that, in comparison with southern Black Spruce/Feu-seeded Sedge s ite type "muskegs", northern muskegs have a thinner layer of Sphagnum fuscum peat, and richer mesotrophic and eutrophic pools and channels containing plants This weakly minerotrophic type is characterized by an abundance more typical of FENS and SWAMPS. This corresponds with "muskegs" In the of medium-sized graminoids and variable amounts of low, ericaceous shrubs southern boreal forest in Saskatchewan (Jeglum 1972) which also have a in the field layer (Fig. 19). The type is actually a complex of two shallow cover of Sphagnum fuscum and relatively rich pools owing to mod phases. The lower, wetter phase is dominated by tall graminoids, espe erately calcareous parent materials. The greater abundance of Sphagnum cially Carex oligosperma. but C. exilis may also be relatively abundant fuscum in both the north and the west may also be related to the relative (see species listed for GRAMINOID BOG, Table 1). Tree cover is con dryness of the climate, this species being a high mound-former capable centrated on the higher mounds. Leather-leaf is variable in cover, of tolerating relatively mesic conditions. being denser on higher mounds, less dense or even absent in the wetter Both Oansereau (1959) and Joyal (1970) describe Labrador-tea areas. The most typical Sphagnum dominants in the depressions, i. fallax eather-leaf and S. magellanicum. are characteristic of weakly minerotrophic sites; BOGS ("Ledetum groenlandici") that tend to be drier than L Sphagnum fuscum is abundant on the mounds. The sites may have some BOGS. In the~Northern"Clay Section, Labrador-tea is found, in abundance, plants that are more typical of minerotrophic sites; e.g., BetuiaBetula mostly associated with Black Spruce/Labrador-tea-CQMfW SWAMP (Fig. 12). glandulosa var. glanduHfera. Henyanthes trifoliata. PotentillaTiTFpa palustrjs. Cutting of this type of SWAMP may result in dense Labrador-tea develop and SaliiTpedicellaris. LarixTaricina may be relatively abundant at ment (Fig. 22) and rapid Sphagnum growth, and the site may be irreversibly times (cf. "certain wet swamp forests", Kalela 1962a),'and when it converted to OPEN BOG or, with regrowth of scattered trees, to TREED BOG. exceeds the cover of Picea marlana the type becomes GRAMINOID-RICH TREED On the other hand,'the site may revert to the original Black Spruce/ FEN (TF1). ——— ———— labrador-teo-CONIFER SWAMP. In regions of central Canada which are drier l l l l l l APPENDIX D
l Peat Type Classification l (Peat Type Profiles) l l l l l l l l l l l 55 l Peat type profile; using the generalized I.P.S. l approach, with percentage annotations as l superscripts (e.g. Sg 9 - 901 sphagnum peat). S - moss, or where distinctions are possible, S s - sphagnum moss l Sfc - brown moss C - sedges, grasses, reeds, herbs, etc. l L - woody, or where distinctions are made, Ln - shrub peat l LI - tree peat l l l l l Include most other minor types listed in the data l record guidelines into C, except where significant l lenses of minor elements occur; e.g. SR (Scirpus), PR (Phragmites), l EQ (Equisetum), SH (Scheuchzeria), l ER (Eriophorum) Significant lenses of other recognizable strata will l also be recorded, such as charcoal or feather moss forest peat (FM).
l All strata of ooze (OZ) and marl (MA) will be indicated on the profiles. Surface and substrate lines will be l unbroken lines, and lines separating peat types will be broken lines (Fig. 8a). l 55 l IP Substrate types will be indicated at the base of the i individual point data. i RO - rock CL - clay GR - gravel XI - till i SA - sand SI - silt
i The detailed peat type data for individual cores often must be modified and averaged to create the peat strata i indicated on the profile. The assessment of what constitutes a "significant" change of peat type i suitable for profiling, and the decision as to whether individual strata should be distinct lenses or should i be averaged into other strata, will be partly subjective. However, several rules-of-thumb should be i applied: i i) decide on the peat type changes which are significant on individual point cores before i comparing those significant breaks to the other i points on the profile; ii) significant breaks in peat type in individual point cores are a) where dominant elements i change by 201 or more (eg. C 3 to C5 )* b) where dominance changes (eg. Llc4S 5 to L1S4C5 ), or c) i where minor elements appear (e.g. L); i iii) compare adjacent point core data to either reinforce or negate the assessment of i 'significant 1 breaks at particular peat type changes;
i iv) correlate the significant breaks (and strata) of individual cores with adjacent cores - this may i indicate that stratigraphic breaks of apparent i 57 i significance in a single core do not occur on l the adjacent cores. In such cases, very significantly different lenses should be l included on profiles, while less significant l lenses may be averaged into other major strata. Average the percentage for all point data logged l through a particular peat stratum, using superscripts and the above abbreviations. For averaging peat type l dominance value to produce percentage superscripts {by 101 units), exclude superscripts less than l but l include that particular peat type (e.g. l l l l l l l l l l l l 58 l l l l l l APPENDIX E
l Identification of Peat Types l l l l l l l l l l
59 l l l l Identification of various peat types. l From Henderson and Doiron (1982). CONSTITUENT IDENTIFICATION l H1-H3 H7-H10 Sphagnum moss ( S s Entire stems, branches and leaves Sample dark to very dark brown, soapy, sticky, leaves hand "dirty" Brown moss ( S b Entire items and leaves Difficult to distinguish from Sphagnum. t.g. Brytlet Are often resistant to decomposition in l that It is common to find unhumified lenses in basal humified layers Lichen Entire, broken pieces, or grey-black slime. Rarely, if ever identified l Rarely found below surface 10 cm Sedges { C ) Carex spp. Entire or broken leaf blades - thin, Sample tan to light brown, not soapy, yellow/bronze with midrib. Roots - will break up into "chunks" - not very thin (0.2-0.5 mm diameter), sticky, leaves hands "clean". l whit* to light yellow, wavy or Common to find roots .kinky Eriophorum spp. ( E R Strands of very fine (0.1 mm) straight Fibres, only in small amounts fibres, most often cloned together l tike locks of hair Trichophorum coespetotut Seldom entire or broken leaf blades. Rare (Scirpus) ( SO White roots, 5-30 cm long. 1-2 mm wide, flattened, with alternate rootlets spaced l 1-3 cm along root Grasses ( C ) Entire or broken leaves Rarely, if ever, distinguished from Ctrex spp. Scheuchzeria Leaf blades bronze, shiny, hollow (often Rarely, if ever, distinguished from Ctrex spp. l (SH) flattened), 4-6 mm wide, broken at a cir cumferential ridge. Seldom coarse straight roots Equitetum ( E Q ) Black pieces of stem 05-1 mm wide with Same as in less humified peats l flight to definite longitudinal ridges, often broken at the node with the typical notched leaf sheath Fern Black pieces of root, 1-2 mm wide. 2-4 cm Same as in less humified peats l long, wavy, often bunched Shrubs ( L n ) Pieces of stems or branches, 05-5 cm long, If present, are soft up to H7. The presence of 02-05 cm wide. Leaves (most often of shrubs in an H8 peat itself reclassififes it to H7 Chamaedaphne calyculata] l Shrub roots. . . Red to yellow red, very fine to coarse, Rare ( L n) wavy sometimes mined. The colour is often the only difference between shrub , and sedge roots l Wood (LI) Irregular pieces or chips Pieces or chips up to H7. A pronounced soapy or slimy texture indicates presence of com pletely decomposed wood Seeds Most common sedge, Menyanthet, Same l nuphur, potamogeton Other minor Spruce or pine needles or cones, Same l constituents charcoal pieces, insect parts, etc. l 60 l l l l l l l l APPENDIX P Laboratory Results
l 1. Technical Services Lab (Page 62) l 2. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture (Page 70) and Food l l l l l l l l l l 61 TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
SAMPLE SAMPLE L*, CATION PM PH COOTT RUB MOIST BEN ABSORPTIVE ASH I VOLAT GROSS CARBON I RATIO ELEMENTS IN I ELEfCNTS IN PPM LOCATION INTERVAL P 1 EX CAP ICO CiCI2 wkt FI6 I NET NET VALUE CAP. CAL m ORG C:N N H 6 0 Aa Ni Ca P X Al F. Pt Hi Hi C. 2* 6 400N 000 CI 0- 20 1 161 3.7 3.0 265 87 86.7 .91 6.5 31.30 3.4 80.4 4286 46.4 46.3 1.4 .5 .43 4S.1 (.2 2 3324 485 2296 1197 981 14 138 783 1 50 8 400N 000 C2 20- 35 Z 263 3.5 3.0 37 90 81.3 .86 10.6 17.61 5.2 78.2 4552 47.4 47.4 1.4 .8 .03 41.8 {.2 4 3985 411 1191 3496 3121 68 28 1030 6 49 B 400N 000 C3 35-105 5 193 3.6 3.2 174 35 88.9 1.02 8.0 14.99 3.2 75.5 4672 53.2 44.3 1.2 .1 .01 36.3 02 1 2990 161 373 1581 410 3 13 1109 2 5 B 400N 000 C4 105-200 4 264 4.0 3.6 46S 61 90.8 1.00 9.9 18.31 2.3 74.5 5404 54.4 36.5 1.4 .4 {.01 35.8 (.2 1 3210 20S 337 10S8 610 1 19 1069 1 6 fm B 400N 000 CS 200-290 4 158 5.8 5.6 1545 54 90.5 .88 8.6 17.33 6.4 89.6 4846 P.,1 23.4 2.3 .2 .16 32.4 02 4 8937 213 438 1632 30S5 4 92 4746 4 9 B 400N 000 C6 290-355 4 118 6.0 5.8 1875 47 90.4 .87 8.5 17.26 7.3 67.6 4757 S4.4 3I.S 1.6 .2 .49 34.4 02 S 8937 260 442 1989 4613 4 121 5909 S 10 B 400N 000 C7 355-370 5 156 5.9 5.8 2158 46 90.4 1.41 9.5 14.77 14.4 65.7 4317 50.4 35.7 1.4 .S .17 32.5 (.2 11 13716 273 424 3325 6310 10 163 7641 25 20 B lOOON 400 CI 0-20 1 153 3.5 2.8 145 92 86.0 .78 6.1 28.21 7.3 76.4 4252 46.1 51.2 .8 .3 .41 41.4 O2 6 3515 575 2483 4350 3090 42 117 1120 li 49 B lOOON 000 C2 20- 40 2 203 3.5 2.8 111 84 81.2 1.40 10.4 26.94 4.7 72.4 4215 47.8 47.8 1.4 .1 .41 40.4 (.2 6 3164 493 1211 2924 2909 110 34 882 10 85 i' IIOOON 000 C3 40-120 6 278 3.6 3.2 124 42 88.2 1.44 8.3 17.18 2.7 73.4 4445 S4.8 78.4 .7 .5 .41 35.2 (.2 1 3599 269 293 1532 607 11 13 1141 1 2 5 fi li B I004N 000 C4 120-140 4 250 5.3 4.8 568 89 80.3 1.42 8.3 24.85 3.5 74.4 4896 92.3 65.3 .8 . .43 37.4 (.2 3 6033 152 168 14S8 1219 4 24 1961 2 ( 1 N |2 B1000N 000 CS 140-210 4 143 5.7 5.5 955 57 80.4 .98 8.4 18.24 5.5 72.8 4714 52.1 23.6 2.2 , .48 34.5 (.2 7 7244 121 169 1105 1616 5 39 2618 6 40 13 B lOOON 000 C6 210-450 4 178 6.3 6.2 2329 48 81.6 .99 14.8 18.81 11.7 6S.4 4569 51.4 171.3 .3 . .41 31.7 (.2 3 10757 276 311 1713 3294 10 62 5217 17 8 14 B 1000N 000 C7 450-470 6 143 6.5 6.3 2500 41 89.4 .99 9.1 11.48 43.8 49.5 3854 37.5 24.6 1.8 . .48 13.2 {.2 20 14271 551 5899 27280 12017 B 159 8267 81 66 r •5 B4000N I200NC1 4- 14 1 145 3.9 3.2 257 87 85.2 .86 S.8 11.28 5.4 73.3 4505 50.3 125.7 .4 - .44 39.3 02 8 4311 4S7 1730 1673 1328 38 89 782 6 68 i is B4400N 1200HC2 10-30 2 216 3.7 3.0 77 79 80.4 .84 9.4 13.84 6.4 73.3 4264 49.1 74.1 .7 .1 .41 39.7 O2 3 4623 483 1027 2503 2893 60 31 1243 4 33 hi ,7 B 4000N 1200UC3 30-50 4 192 4.7 33.8 161 39 86.6 1.45 6.5 11.68 5.2 74.3 5341 53.6 38.2 1.4 .3 .41 35.S 02 1 6721 270 156 1496 896 S 7 1733 2 6 r i8 B4000N 1200UC4 50-370 4 141 5.8 5.3 506 61 81.4 1.03 14.6 24.40 5.1 66.7 4800 53.8 28.8 1.8 .8 .45 35.4 {.2 1 8680 186 112 786 2191 3 24 4098 2 4 L 19 B4000N 1200UC5 370-390 5 107 6.4 6.2 1675 S3 80.0 1.42 8.0 15.46 13.4 64.7 S283 48.2 34.4 1.4 .0 .48 31.3 02 12 14051 263 882 5287 5032 8 71 6981 33 20 B6400N 400 CI 0- 10 1 122 4.0 3.1 118 71 86.5 rV) zo 1.41 6.4 10.40 5.6 68.3 4167 50.0 35.7 1.4 .4 .03 37.0 02 2 3282 448 2357 1369 1030 18 101 1003 6 45 i 21 B6400N 000 C2 10-20 Z 190 3.6 2.9 56 67 89.1 .99 8.2 18.81 6.8 88.3 4831 51.2 128.4 .4 .2 .03 37.3 02 3 3412 459 625 2862 2674 61 IS 786 4 28 fi 22 B6400N 000 C3 20- 50 3 167 3.8 3.S 60 47 88.0 1.42 7.3 14.61 5.8 72.3 5062 54.4 45.4 1.2 .6 .41 34.3 (.2 1 S922 242 316 1577 1377 14 11 876 2 12 * 23 B6400N 000 C4 50-280 4 ITS 4.7 4.2 69 48 90.2 .98 8.3 16.57 S.I 74.4 4905 55.4 42.3 1.3 3.8 .42 34.8 (.2 1 9162 217 243 1217 1664 S 14 1888 3 7 1 " 86400N 000 CS 280-350 4 112 S.S 5.0 121 56 81.1 .99 10.2 21.03 6.3 71.4 5020 S3.8 26.8 2.4 4.4 .44 33.5 O2 1 7737 156 335 1039 1533 3 30 2257 2 S L25 B8400N 400 C6 350-470 4 180 5.8 5.7 Sil SI 80.5 .99 8.5 18.24 6.2 68.3 4753 51.6 22.4 2.3 3.6 .47 36.2 02 2 11322 206 436 1393 2690 3 64 4628 3 6
HUMIFICATION, BIRD AND HALE LTD. ANALYSIS (SEE THE FOLLOWINO PAGE FOR DEFINITIONS AND UNITS OF MEASURE FOR ANALYSIS CRITERIA)
MIE 22-NOV-84 PAGE l 3 P. Em. 1 i 4^ EXPLANATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS Appendix F: Units of Measure
1 Cation Exchange Capacity meg/100 g 1 Conduct ivity umhos/cm corrected to 25 deg.C Rubbed Fiber Content 2 of oven-dry peat made up of 1 fiber 2*0.15 mm Bulk Density g/cc Absorptive Value Ratio of the weight of the as 1 received retained water in the peat, to the dry weight of the 1 peat . Absorptive Capacity Ratio of the weight of potentially retained water, to 1 the dry weight of the peat. Ash Z of peat remaining after heating 1 to 750 deg.C, 1 hour. Volatile % o f peat lost after heating in oxygen free furnace at 950 deg.C 1 for 7 minutes. Gross Calorific Value Calories/g, as determined in a 1 bomb calorimeter, without corrections for calories due to H, N, or S. 1 Calorific Value Gross calorific value, (not - - corrected for H, N, S.) 1 Total Carbon % o f peat that is carbon. 1 Ration C:N l C divided by I K. N, H, S, 0 /a
Ag, Ni, Ga, P, K, Al , Fe , p. p. m. (parts per million). 1 Pb, Mn, Mg, Cu, Zn 1 1 1 1 63 m uncnniisML ncocMMon MNU ANALYSIS l R Q i * CONTRACT LABORATORIES TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES i ^ H i y DIVISION OF BUROENER TECHNICAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED HP 1301 FEWSTER DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA, ONT. L4W 1A2 m " H TELEPHONE: (416) 625-1544 1 P TELEX 06-960215 i i CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS SAMPLE(S) FROM fiird and Hale Ltd. REPORT No. 1263 Bay Street 1 ~~ Toronto" Ontario T7803-1 MSB 2R1 ATTn Mr . R. Zdancevicz Inv# 26710 SAMPLE(S) OF I P.O. 7 1
Molybdenum (Mo) 1 ppm
1 ^ 2 <2 1 3 <2
<2 i i <2 7 ^ g <2 I 9 <2 10 <2 11 <2 12 ^ 1 13 <2
<2 1" "16 <2 17 <2 18 ^ 1 19 20 <2 m 2 1 <2
1 1 Samples. Pulps and Rejects discarded after two months CTA i r DATE Oet , ?V84 SlfiMPD - ( . . © . - . J4/I s V T J X For any enquiries on this report, please contact Customer Service Department - Edith Anzil I c. i, v wnc^iviiwr\L, ncocnn^n niNU MiNnL. T olo 1 P H v * CONTRACT LABORATORIES TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES • li Q^^i li DIVISION OF BURGENER TECHNICAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED III HI 13O1 FCWSTER DRIVE, MISSISSAUOA, ONT. LAW 1A2 ™ m TELEPHONE: (416) 625-1544 1 1 TELEX 06-960215 lB mP CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS SAMPLE(S) FROM Bird and Hale Ltd. i— —-— - 1263 Bay Street REPOF T No. 1 Toronto Ontario T78C)3-2 M5R 2C1 ATTn Mr . R. Zdancewicz Inv# 26710 I SAMPLE(S) OF pEAT P.O. li l Molybdenum (Mo) l ppm 22 <2 23 <2 l 24 ^ l 25 <2 l l l l l l l i Samples, Pulps and Rejects discarded after two months CTA )ATE ______Oct. 23/84______SIGNED i For any enquiries on this report, please contact Customer Service Department — Edith Anzil 65 m S H hgl * CHEMICAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS l n H H * CONTRACT LABORATORIES 1 ' 1 Si lw J m I TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES 1*1" JKS DIVISION OF BURGENER TECHNICAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED Hi li 1301 FEWSTER DRIVE, MISSISSAUCA, ONT. LAW 1A2 •j EHM Pi TELEPHONE: (416) 625-1544 Ifll TELEX 06-960215
S^'O^ m CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS 1 mn SAMPLE(S) FROM IBl rd and Hale Ltd. REPOFIT No. 1263 Bay Street Toronto Ontario T78C13-1 FIvr JC DK. Zo rV/i.1 1 ' ' ATTn Mr. R. Zdancewicz I SAMPLE(S) OF Inv# 7 PEAT P.O. 7 1
1 Chromium Cadmium Beryllium Cobalt Vanadium * (Cr) ppm (Cd) ppm (Be) ppm (Co) ppm (V) ppm
1 6 0.2 ^ 1 ^ 1 2 .8 0.5 ^ 2 1 3 2 <0.1 ^ 1 1 B Samples, Pulps and Rejects discarded after two months CTA DATE _____nrt. 22/ftA——-—————— SIGNED l For any enquiries on this report, please contact Customer Service Department - Edith Anzil 66 * UHEMIUAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS 1 * CONTRACT LABORATORIES , , liB IB H^B B li' 'P TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES * m m 1 1 DIVISION OF BURQENER TECHNICAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED 1 H i 1301 FEWSTER DRIVE, MISSISSAUCA, ONT. U4W 1A2 m if TELEPHONE; (416) 625-1544 1 TELEX 06-960215 1 mP CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS SAMPLE(S) FROM Bird and Hale Ltd. - , ————— 1263 Bay Street REPOFIT No. 1 Toronto Ontario T78()3-2 M5R 2C1 ATTn Mr. R. Zdancewicz f 1 SAMPLE(S) OF P EAT P.O. ,t l Chromium Cadmium Beryllium Cobalt Vanadium l (Cr) ppm (Cd) ppm (Be) ppm (Co) ppm (V) ppm 22 6 l 3 23 2 l 2 l 24 l l 1 l 25 l l 2 l l l l l l l Samples, Pulps and Rejects discarded after two months CTA l Oct. 22/84 ATE SIGNED For any enquiries on this report, please contact Customer Service Department - Edith Anzil l 67 n ft * CHEMICAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS 1 Is i * CONTRACT LABORATORIES TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES DIVISION OF BURGENER TECHNICAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED li i 13O1 1 te FEWSTER DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA, ONT. LAW 1A2 TELEPHONE: (416) 625-1544 1 B i TELEX 06-960215 SK CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS 1 iifct SAMPLE(S) FROM Bird and Hale Ltd. REPOF IT No. 1263 Bay Street 1 Toronto Ontario T780 3-3 M5R 2C1 ATTn Mr . R. Zdancewicz 1 Inv# l SAMPLE(S) OF P.O. I 1 S o d i urn Titanium Barium Strontium Zirconium 1 (Na) ppm (Ti) ppm ( Ba) ppm (Sr) ppm (Zr) ppm 554 76 50 12 1 1 621 231 40 34 9 3 1469 123 20 28 3 * 2347 62 18 30 2 5 7219 90 32 82 5 1 6 9959 101 38 98 5 10772 142 55 142 8 1' 1281 258 61 29 6 " 9 567 194 36 27 3 10 1181 99 21 31 1 11 3251 55 19 49 3 12 4429 54 21 59 3 1 13 11024 92 34 96 3 14 14465 1339 220 181 27 15 333 111 34 23 4 1 16 494 168 32 39 4 m 1 7 646 93 16 49 3 I l 8 3992 42 17 78 2 " 19 10354 291 61 148 8 20 327 82 30 22 3 1" 506 210 29 31 6 1 1 H Samples, Pulps and Rejects discarded after two months CTA DATE _____Oct. 22/84——————— SIGNED For any enquiries on this report, please contact Customer Service Department - Edith Anzil l 68 HH H * CHEMICAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS 1 * CONTRACT LABORATORIES * r H M li B H ^v 1 1 S TECHNICAL SERVICE LABORATORIES 1 0 n n i| DIVISION OF BURGENER TECHNICAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED wi 13O1 FEWSTER DRIVE. MISSISSAUGA, ONT. L4W 1A2 TELEPHONE: (416) 625-1544 1 TELEX 06-960215 CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS 1 m SAMPLE(S) FROM Bird and Hale Ltd. REPOF T No. 1263 Bay Street 1 Toronto Ontario T78 03-4 M5R 2C1 ATTn Mr. R. Zdancevicz Inv# 1 1 SAMPLE(S) OF p EAT P.O. 1 1 Sodium Titanium Barium Strontium Zirconium 1 (Na) ppm (Ti) ppm (Ba) ppm (Sr) ppm (Zr) ppm 22 321 94 18 44 4 23 509 64 16 62 3 1 24 1144 56 19 57 2 25 3573 76 30 88 4 lM l l l l l l l Samples. Pulps and Rejects discarded after two months CTA D/DATE ______Oct. 22/84.^—————— SIGNED l For any enquiries on this report, please contact Customer Service Department - Edith Anzil li /ihl m 1 B ^ l| J! i?- Soil losling Laboratory V\7 J ^ 6 SAMPI E RECEIVED M n V i \^ and Food OB 09 RESUI TSRrPORUD •i Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1 SOIL TEST REPORT Ontario t34 T re 20 -- FEHTItimt HhOUIREMENTS t SOU. TES! VAI.ULS ANn RA1 IIMGS FOR CdOI1 SPECIFIED MAIMlltt i UAIEU *- PHOSPHORUS POTASSIUM MAGNESIUM MANGANESE ZINC r' ui CHOP TO BF. GROWN Ul ^i l? i < o U1.IIAI 1 V A(.IIANl.l INCHOC RtQUIIU'S tj X o •t . D 0 i | I ^ I ^ SOIL BUFFER i C ; K? j?0 ? H * . r* 0 k ©"z w u a SOIL RAT SOIL RAT PH PH SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT A CHANGE IN tLHIIU/ER t ^ i i fO"' h TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING f O u H PHOSPHATE AMU fill ASM ItiaiLI/tll lit OUIflEMtNIS ON THIS REPORT BASED ON ONTARIO RESEARCH WILL PROVIDE HIGHEST ECONOMIC RETURNS WHEN CROP MANAGEMENT IS ABOVE AVEIIAGL. : j ,t 1 28 4.9 4. 9 200+ H , 0 c 1 28 4. 4 4. 7 200H- H 0 z 1 28 4. 2 4. 7 200-H H 0 4 1 24 3. 9 4. 6 200+ H 0 1 1 c: 1 24 3. 9 4. 3 200-H H b 6, 1 16 4. 0 4. 4 200+ H 0 7 1 12 4. 3 4. 9 200+ H i 0 l o: E; 1 12 3. 8 4. 6 150 H 9 1 16 3. 7 5. 0 190 H 0 i 0 1 12 3. 9 4. 5 200+ H 0 1 1 1 1 2O 4. 0 4. 5 200+ H 0 1 1 c 2 12 4. 2 4. 7 200+ H 0 1 ^ 1 8 4. 0 4. 5 185 H o 1 100 KG/HA - 90LB/AC. tt MANURE AND SOD ADJUSTMENTS ARE EXPLAINED IN GREATER DETAIL ON BACK OF FORM. i 10TONNL-7I-IA - 4.S TON/AC. LIQUID MANURE RATES ARE IN CUBIC METRES/HA. SOLID MANURE RATES ARE IN METRIC TONNES/HA. i IF FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, CONTACT Ci I K l) AND MALE L.TD. C /O LINDA HELLAS 1 1243 BAY STRICT o TOR ON TO, ONTARIO HEPonr NO 1 141 VI AlH m\~l SAMF'I t RtCtlVI.O 1 J' Boil Tosliny Laboratory , V\jT J A9 ncul *ure VjLX and Food OB 1O9 RESULTS REPORT EI) Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1 SOIL TEST REPORT Ontario q84 r ™ 20 ( FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS t SOU TEST VALUES AND RATINGS FOH CROP SPLCIf ILO j IIAltll PHOSPHORUS POTASSIUM MAGNESIUM MANGANESE ZINC CROP TO BC GROWN SODtt Ul rf PHOSPHATE KGHA ll.il' '.II i AUIAfllit INi:l(OC HLUOIIIIS ^ i P05 SOIL BUFFER i •t ~" |S* |?s TONNS/MA M/HACU h!? SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT A UIANl.,1 IN fi Hill l/tH OB PH PH P TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST INU TEST ING I'llOM'HAU ANH I'OIASH (Ulmain HLOMIIIEMEN1S ON THIS REPORT BASED ON ONTARIO RESEARCH WILL PROVIDE HIGHEST ECONOMIC RETURNS WHEN CROP MANAGEMENT IS ABOVE AVtIIAGE. 14 1 16 3. 8 4. 4 135 H 0 15 1 28 . 4. 1 4. 6 200+ H 0 1 ii\ 2 20 4. 0 4. 5 200-*- H 0 17 3 24 3. 9 4. 4 200+ H o it: 1 12 4. 7 4. 9 200+ H ;o l 4; 1 16 3. 7 4. 2 124 H i o P.G 1 24 5. 0 5. 3 200+ H i D 21 1 12 3. 9 4. 3 144 H 0 22 1 12 4. 2 4. 9 185 H Q 2 3 1 12 4. 4 5. 2 2004- H Q 24 1 12 4. 5 5. 2 195 H 1 D r li, v.J 1 8 4. 8 5. 3 200-H H 0. 26 2 20 4. 9 5. 4 200+ H i o t Mil) KG/I IA OOI.B/AC. tt MANURE AND SOD ADJUSTMENTS ARE EXPLAINED IN GREATER DETAIL ON BACK OF F,ORM. 1 Id TONNI'./I IA - 41. TON/AC. LIQUID MANURE RATES ARE IN CUBIC METRES/HA. SOLID MANURE RATES ARE IN METRIC TONNES/HA. j IF FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, CONTACT BIRD AND HALE LTD. C/H LINDA HELLAS 1263 BAY STHEE-IT rOROMTO, ONTARIO M3K2C1 G GI\ e f a l f.OPY TO HEPORTNO 1 141 LIN!\^^HY "lepjTT^TOnt Soil Testing Laboratory Agriculture SAMPLE RECEIVEDIVLfJ j and Food ..__pt-JOB RESULTS R EPORTEDOH rf D Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 SOIL TEST REPORT Ontario .__B f FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS t WiNIKt SOU TEST VALUES AND RA1INGS FOR CfiOPSPLCIF ILU HATt tl ut CHOP TO BE GROWN PHOSPHORUS POTASSIUM MAGNESIUM MANGANESE ZINC ^: o ut 4 PHOSPHATE KGMA, I J USUAL 1 Y A CHANGE IN CROP REQUIRES t-- u"i Pj05 Q SOIL BUFFER t/1 i? O ,. 2 ul SOIL RAT SOIL RAT PH PH SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT A CHANGE IN f LRTIU/ER |g| TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING O o PHOSmATl AND PO1ASH f tlUIL UOUU OUIHEMtNlS ON THIS REPORT BASED ON ONTARIO RESEARCH WILL PROVIDE HIGHEST ECONOMIC RETURNS WHEN CROP MANAGEMENT IS AUOVL AVLHAGL 27 1 20 4. 4 S. 5 147 H O 2E 1 16 4. 5 5. 2 195 H O 29 1 16 5. 2 200+ H O 3C 1 16 5. 0 5. 6 200+ H O 31 1 24 5. 5 200+ H O aa 1 16 4. 4 5. 4 185 H O 3'J 1 16 4. 8 5. 1 200+ H O 34 1 16 4. 5 5. 0 200-+- H O 3 S 1 12 5. 1 200+ H o a t' 1 20 4. 8 5. 5 200+ H o 37 1 12 3. 9 4. 6 95 M o 3f 1 20 4. 6 5. 2 200+ H o 39 1 12 4. 6 5. 6 200+ H o 1 iUOKUHA 90LU/AC. tt MANURE AND SOD ADJUSTMENTS ARE EXPLAINED IN GREATER DETAIL ON BACK OF FORM. 10 1 OIJNL/I -IA - 4 .b TON/AC. LIQUID MANURE RATES ARE IN CUBIC METRES/HA. SOLID MANURE RATES ARE IN METRIC TONNLS/IIA. IF FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, CONTACT BIRD AND HALE LTD. , C/O LINDA HELLAS 1263 DAY STREET r^ TURONTO, ONTARIO O e n e r COPY l O REPORT NO 1 141 .'i ^^iiinvM i^.iiv (U (iiir^PH __ ^^^ ^^— ^^M ^^M m.—m ^^^ """*^^m lULLni^tru.^! (-HH- — - H^| YlAl^iMI; ' .i 1 j,' 1 v ^HIH , VHVH .L! BPW i, . -i^BP, , ,rWP^P.-i i n JBB 1HH IHH •HI HHi HHv*^flBII i|^l^3ii^^^ " "Bin BIH SAMF'tE RECEIVLD l{ j;^ Soil resllno Laboratory l TTJ Agriculture B4 i VM^ and Food 08 O9 RFSUITS REPORT! ) '': Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1 SOIL TEST REPORT Ontario B4 T ra 20 S" FtRTILIZER REQUIREMENTS t ',1/^Jtltt SOIL TEST VALUtS AND RATINGS FOR CROP SPECIFIED ' (Alt It lil CROP TO BH GROWN 4- PHOSPHORUS POTASSIUM MAGNESIUM MANGANESE ZINC NITROGEN' p. D KGHA1 PHOSPHATE POTASH KG/"A •r. IIMJAI l i AUIANiil IN CHOC RL'OIMHLS KGHA.' PjOs KjO Q SOIL Is TONNE.'HA BUFFER k M CUM/HA O SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT SOIL RAT LO Al.HAMr.L IN t L:R'III.I7ER OB t/) PH PH t ; TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING TEST ING PIIOSt'llAU AMI) POTASH 1 IHTIll^LH (UOUmiMtNTS ON THIS REPORT BASED ON ONTARIO RESEARCH WILL PROVIDE HIGHEST ECONOMIC RETURNS WHEN CROP MANAGEMENT IS ABOVE AVIIIAGL. i 4 (J l 12 4. 3 5. 7 115 H Q 41 l 8 4. 8 5. S 200+ H 0 j , 4 ft 1 8 4. 2 4. 8 156 H 0 i 43 1 8 4. 7 5. 2 200+ H 0 i 44 1 8 5. 1 200+ H 0 KM '' 4 t.. 1 8 4. 8 6. 1 156 H 0 46 1 8 4. 7 5. O 200+ H Q •1 7 1 8 4. 8 5. 7 180 H Q i ii l IDD KG/HA -OfliB/AC. tt MANURE AND SOD ADJUSTMENTS ARE EXPLAINED IN GREATER DETAIL ON BACK OF FORM. : lOTOHiJL/IIA -- 4. b 'ION/AC. LIQUID MANURE RATES ARE IN CUBIC METRES/HA. SOLID MANURE RATES ARE IN METRIC TONNES/HA. )F FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, CONTACT HIKD AND HALE LTD. C/O LINDA HELLAS LO 12^,3 BAY STREET TORONTO, ONTARIO ft e n t; T fi l COPY l O fitPOFITNO 1141 l l l l l l — APPENDIX G Von Post Scale of Decomposition (Humification) l l l l l l l l l l l l Von Post Scale of Decomposition l l i f 4v ec l 8 s . S2 f 1 5~ k4 C to VZ . C 4V 1 - "2- -4 C •Q -^ IM 82 S .S 2 ' ;^ li i O o 4 .f * -2 i n Ci C b C. •S 2" .c to u O -^ *J 3 - O *- ** 5 — c 4V —— C W n o -4 "•23 S"S J f! 4 t 4 tt ci O f u 4V O O i 4v o to 9 41 Ci * w u *B tt S 9 S c c j; O 9 e -o o C- ci c. 3 C. i S S, -5 C C 5 8f- ta c M -* 3 - l C u U X — *J C* N . tt (J* ?s ?S*J8 j: 3 u i n tt V C ) - c o 6 o S ?S* o i. "Z 2 tt to *o to ci ^ fl o - 3 S.' S- H 2 -li C ^ 4V IQ A* ** "H j: e. - E 111*2' P o w o ** 111"! •u fi a c. c c . Ag^ fl U 4 O Q vv j: ci E ** ' O u J- l " fl O C O b b tt U A CI W O" " s g j .5 C O rt "M m c. -a 3 ** u jC O C c. "-S 5 Si* c . S" w 0 C. H 3 -M Oi-^ o rt ^ H V *J C O W *J a-2 t at — C O M O X C 41 41 C I!-- o "* * t. tl 1 •C 3 *i — rt H. C -4 i i.—- x * 5 C fl t ^-^ g- 2- 4 4 a * J f * o -c ^ r~bg M: Ifi-i to 4 to w c i DI CI B C a!' * 4 .x w b - -l 3 S- gS"J! l l — t — O - M — 41 ** s s. s i *" C 4 CI O 01 fc — M w, Is! C JS to c 9- w 0 III C O C .f O O. w to 0 x h r,* 1 CMC.* •5 c. "S C li i - •^ c* *- - •5 1 E C M CI E IM ^ tt — w -e •x o a w u s si- 3 b •l 4rf C * C O,- . C k* rt -o S .8 •p ^C E t H J| l 2.2 S g 9 ** C rt .8" to c c • ""•"OKI rt C rt b l 4 " S - sg S !~* ja c - e ci "'.| If a w 41 15 li szls l H' u j: o o* tt tt to 4 jsa s -f s- ^ 9 v? M — 13 CI 455, O x to d t: 1? v M e c - o . S . fc ! a . s l fi •i f * 5 l a- ve* - 4 C. C E 4V 4V 5 O 3 6 V p e M •2 "t c vS -es .f a3"" 8 -s|.2 g.2E"S (r o"t —-t* 3 e i. c -Si 'il ^^ S j o o . siSiSrc le! 8*|| O M CMC tt *V *-* 2^1 l 4} rt U -4 N e B c S c j: So s. ; • l o- o sis u e — -* ~* * c a^s q* c c t** 4i e. i B e* u 2 -4 3 14 w ** ex e 5 S Z g ~-c 0 o-sf ^ Sil l'. -4 c. O to tt i l - - * 2 c "•-sr t e s s Hc ci H *!^ "i J - 2 J S 5 5 o — c c *- 5 —^ 4)> OUIMbO-C O -4, cO 3 o to M to n 9 ^^•Xgcio^^ ? —" l f. u l w > E ? Q vZ O to e — ** 2, K O rt l P ml O to 4 it S -v C l- 8^12 '""•fS 5 * •i C. ** s -gf *i C W "ai" ** o w fe. u S co c . .- o I -* CI * — ** *o y ci * h4 4V fl ft rt W l (t b jc ir— F * c. c C E *J l Q V ** c o l * -1 -8?5 ' li t f •s s's •v w4 ION' 2 e r -5 0 •B C b O 4T ** w - K C tt .2 c. rt tt n-4 M *:i O J; -J M * C 4 to 3 ' ki h. O -O *C 41 h. . . S S-" S P c 3 4 C1 S ** C1 f ST) C to to c 4ia*i*ce3c rt *rf to K CI C* '-til * u ^ii XwiC^i 6^ CTt7 a i-C. O w .S3 a -— o c -c :* .i JllCWW—IBC l 5:2 - n K -4) jf *r It i g||; -* c c ** o. o - •I* e-" i to to to 4V M j: a q c ** -* ex i "5 **g:* ^ o o *— - v) g o d c; *^ o f C C x 4 C *V ~4 — c *. o c c. ci tt *C 4V 2 c tt i- e Kis e -— ir s c z k. 3 -c c u 3 c j5 -a s Z Ci -* s — -i t. w J i., u -c * o e- ^ 41 w -** ^ 4 K C 4 4V 4V t -* u c A r D W 4 t-4 • WU b 41 :sgi^^ a g. o Q*D3h*6iw -C to •a ic -m to c l C **- U k. 4, C" O — C r c O"2 J -O ' fi*A4J^CbZ4i S w L- S' l U O 4V ^ - : w *O k4 O U K 4 O t S 0 !I l-f c.— to O " g i ' - " S s •f c. si J- ' W 4Q O* l. U C1 ?Is l r K 3 17 ^ ' t *a- C) C CI . K W " s -* u rt c; rt ' " 2 3 S.* 4V C V ** C C .c rt •o c, •e a- f t E * 5 ' e1 .? E 4V U X o c * t — j: C b M C *- V *j c -* *^ ci . s .Is 3 U K 1C *- e ^ *"* O * 3 o e M O — S U t*, l CI O , *Si "fi E to *i ** E 4 ^ jr w M ji -i j; u — X L, WWW y -* -4 to to O -4 X -c U S E O UJ -S ^ fi M -- M W o* a a b c. 4V o k* o 3 a C -* " d E rt S"J* C. I l Li V4O4V4VEIAM M **4 O 3D dJ l 4V b C M O* U "C ^ C -H 4V to vZ -M -*4 4 C) MO U "-8. c ua o -* c- h 4lrt**rt41C9C *-* fi C N tt *-4 a c M M W J5 c A T C -x x x tt U rt O JS C -4 to Ci k* -p* to — ** i q ^ b "S l" L l. U A C. C. ^ - O " C 4 - O **- k. C f-* V U 'L.- "i e w b l- O E O CT- ttt E to** to .s- w" a' 4J i 5" ;"Srt-J fi"*4"SI t "2 S cJX — o ci - en g-S " rt'.f ? c- g.*1 4 *0 J- C • -^ ^ " s s •f? ? E ? -c c- fo- . l -i* .C C( — j2 4 w a — — o - JS M g-o a i-lll D a H o — o - 4V ~i -a -if w •v * v a. *i h* w -* w *- (T JE 4 O 4 -4 C U "* 41 "S -2 " u o *- -S 2 -S *J 41 3 *rf s--* 0 c (- E w E *C tt 4 l t H E X O •aasWM^o W 0 O 4 fi- o* •M M f 6-f o w •521 fi o * 3 — 4V J2 ^ o S c ** c w io xv -433 O C. fl - •i 41 e U " ~ .IS! -o Z "Z —i 3 4V 4CCvZ*-*E^^ .Q (A 4V O • C.CC0t4i ~3 o e - c * ** -l O*'-" 4V O S S.-4 -4 O CI C- O B: AC ic ~. l S. w, 1C CI O 3"- •4 a w -^ y tt C W —4 fc* 1-* *O 4 h C*3~-*4-*4 b B S T: i. rt U CI C to o- to UF*5XC3* C CO C. CI aa * c -. — u c to •2 o. o C C vZ *n •w 6 U -— *- S2 g rt CI -Q w w c g •O i. o C 3 l. O t- P ** -c 8.! r rt 41 b O X *i O * — at. i .u -c c x y w c* i. 3 w C E s ?- h* --* -^ 1C * o *- •i "o l tri ^") --4 C ** M rt . l 3 *v 3 fl C —— ~4, i O u •S O — " C. O ' I i-* 4 *C i. f ^-s l J? l* 6 -6- l 75 l l s 1 1 i l l l Determination of degree of decomposition (Von Post scale) of peat. From Henderson and Doiron (1982). l DEGREE OF HUMI INITIAL FICATION WATER TEXTURE PLANT REMAINS SQUEEZE TEST REMARKS H1 clear rough living plants very spongy living H2 clear to slightly rough entire structure spongy - will spring time as H1 l yellow back after pressure. except is Holds no shape not living H3 yellow, slightly rough breaking into pieces, slightly spongy holds turbid but pieces are intact t fairly definite form l of handprint H4 light brown, very pieces breaking up not spongy — forms "brass knuckles" turbid slightly Into Individual com t distinct replica of (H3 is rounded, soapy ponents e.g. leaves, handprint -no peat whereas H4 is l stems, etc. •scapes the fingers sharp) H5 brown — mixture slightly Individual component l very small amount of plant debris, soapy disintegrating such of peat escapes the amorphous that some amorphous fingers l material and material is present . water H6 dark brown soapy plant structures evident one third of sample solution on close txamfnatlon - •scapes fingers l nearly half of sample in an amorphous state H7 very small amount somewhat vague structures over half of material very dark brown pasty •scapes the hand as l • paste H8 little or none pasty only roots or fibres over two-thirds •re distinguishable — •scapes the hand homogeneous - ' l H9 none pudding- no distinguishable almost all escapes the like remains hand H10 none nondistinguishable •II escapes the hand rare In non-sed l imentary peats l l 76 l l l l l l l l APPENDIX H l Calculation of Stump Content l l l l l l l l l l 77 l CALCULATION OF STUMP CONTENT l Stump content is the percentage of the total peat volume occupied by stumps and logs large enough to obstruct or snag l peat probes. This percentage has not been directly calculated in Canadian peatlands, but an indirect method of calculating l stump volume has been generated from direct measurements of the stump content of some Russian peatlands. The indirect l (or 'Pavlov') method has been used by the New Brunswick Peat l Inventory and will also be used in this inventory. Calculation: l Total number of snags,O to 2 m s n Number of sites where snags were tested s a Cumulative depth of peat at the above l sites (excluding ooze) (dm) * b Hit % s n x 100 l N x h/10 where n e to'tal number of snags, O to 2 m, l N s a x 10, (number of probes), h ~ b/a, (average depth) , l then Hit % * n x 100 b l Stump Content ( l) is then derived from Pavlov's curve, below. 4.0 m — ^— l - *—^ ~~ •*- 3.5 *~ ^ f^ x1 l 3.0 x1 ^ ^J lx 2.5 ^ X ^f l u 2.0 K* k- X h— 1.5 X r-J ;s 1 l ^ 1.0 s 6, S H H D O.S ^ •l ~1 **^ l P^-* 1 n MMMBS j 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 HIT PERCENTAGE l (after J. Xeskitalo. 1982. Nordia 16(1) :8.) l 73 l l t l l l l APPENDIX I l Classification of Peat and Peat Moss l l l l l l l l l l l 79 l l l t l THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM IN THE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR PEAT IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES (A.S.T.M. Committee D-29 Subcommittee I l'. April 15,1968 (Revised)) U.S. Federal Government Title: CLASSIFICATION OF PEAT AND PEAT MOSS 1) The General Services Administration of the U.S. Govern ment uses a specification covering four general types of peat for Material: The term peat may be used only with respect to agricultural us: in soil improvement. This specification is l organic matter of geologic origin, excluding lignite or other coal, Q-P-166e dated May 10, 1961 and it is intended for the use of arising mainly from dead plant remains through the agency of all Federal agencies regarding Peats, Moss; Peat, Humus; and water in the absence of air and occurring in a bog, swampland, Peat, Reed-sedge. or marsh and having a minimum organic content of 75 per cent A. Generally speaking, this specification classifies "four general l on a dry weight basis unless otherwise specified. types of peat for agricultural use." Definition: The term fibres as used here comprise plant material Type I. Sphagnum moss peat. retained on the 100 mesh (ASTM) screen i.e., 0.15 mm or Class A. Finely divided l larger. AU percentages are based on oven-dried weight (105*C) Class B. Medium divided not on volume. These may be stems, leaves, or fragments of Class C. Coarsely divided bog plants but no wood particles larger than 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) Type II. Other moss peats. in the greatest dimension. Inorganic fragments such as shells, l stones, sand and- gravel, etc. are excluded. Classification: The classification is based on five major types Type III. Humus peat (peat muck). according to generic origin and fibre content. Type IV. Reed-sedge peat. l 1) Sphagnum Moss Peat (Peat Moss). Oven-dried peat sample B. The material is further described in Section 3.2 of the contains oves 75 per cent Sphagnum moss fibre of the total Specification as follows: content by weight. These fibres should be stems and leaves of Sphagnum in which the fibrous and cellular structure is recog l nizable. Such samples shall contain a minimum of 90 per cent 3.2 Material organic matter on a dry weight basis. Type l, classes A, B, and C. Sphagnum moss peat shall consist 2) Hypmim Moss Peat. Oven-dried peat sample contains over of at least 75 per cent of partially decomposed stems and leaves 50 per cent Hypmim moss fibre of the total content by weight. of Sphagnum in which the fibrous and cellular structure is still l Such samples shall contain a minimum of 90 per cent organic recognizable. Its texture may vary from porous fibrous to spongy matter on a dry weight basis. These fibres should be stems and fibrous, and it shall be either crumbly or compact, but fairly h.'vt! of varixur- Hy.tnun mosses in which thft fibrous and elastic. It shall be nearly free from decomposed colloidal residue, cellular structure is recognizable. wood, etc., and shall be essentially brown in colour. l 3) Reed-Sedge Peat. Oven-dried peat sample contains a mini Type li. Other moss peat shall consist of at least 75 per cent of mum of 3314 per cent reed, sedge, or grass fibres (non-moss partially decomposed stems and leaves of Hypnum, Polytrichum, fibres) of total content by weight. and other mosses in which the cellular structure is still recog 4) Peat Humus. Oven-dried peat sample contains less than 33 VS nizable. Its texture may vary from porous fibrous to spongy l per cent total fibre by weight. fibrous, and it shall be either crumbly or compact, but fairly 5) Other Peat. Shall be the designation of all forms of peat not elastic. It shall be nearly free from decomposed colloidal residue, elsewhere classified. wood, etc., and shall be essentially brown to black in colour. Type 111. Humus peat (peat muck) shall be finely divided plant l debris so decomposed that its biological identity is lost. It shall be furnished in granular form, of uniform composition and size free from bard lumps. It shall be low in wood or other extraneous matter, and shall be brown to black in colour. l Type IV, Reed-sedge peat shall be the moderately decomposed stems, leaves and roots of rushes, coarse grasses, sedges, reeds, canes, cat tails, and similar plants. It shall be coarse or finely l fibrous, and brown to black in colour. It shall be low to moderately low in decomposed colloidal plant residue and low l in wood or other extraneous materials. l l 80 APPENDIX J References 81 l BIBLIOGRAPHY i Bell, J. N. B., 1968. "The use of pollen analysis to determine post glacial vegetational and environmental Ontario history." in Ontario i History 50(2): 49-59. ~~ Berggren B., Kalmari A., Leino P., 1980. Classifica-* i t ion and Properties of Peat for Fuel Purposes. Ekono oy, Finland.3 p. Bird and Hale Ltd., 1984 . Ontario'Peatland Inventory i 1983, Ottawa - Brockville Study Area.Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto, Ontario. i 217 p. Boughner, C. C. and M. K. Thomas, 1962. The Climate of Canada. The Meteorological Branch, Air i Services, Department of Transport. 74 p. Brown, D. M., G. A. McKay and L. J. Chapman, 1980. The Climate of Southern Ontario. Climatalogical i Studies Number 5, Atmospheric Environment Services, Environment Canada, Toronto, xi -f 67 p. i Chapman, L. J. and D. P. Putnam, 1973- The Physiography of Southern Ontario, second edition"! Ontario Research Foundation, University of Toronto Press. i 386 p. Cuddy, D., 1983. Alfred Bog. Trail and Landscape, i Kemptville, Ontario.Vol. 17 No. 31 105-192. Division of Industrial Minerals, 1984. Peat Producers in the U.S. in 1983. U.S. Department of the i Interior, Bureau of Mines, Washington D.C. 16 p. Douglas, R. J. W. (scientific editor), 1976. Geology i and Economic Minerals'of 'Canada. "Economic ' Geology Report Mo. l, Geological Survey of Canada. i 3 vol. 838 p. Farnham, R. S., 1968. Classification^System for Commercial Peat. Third International Peat i Congress, Quebec, Canada. Pages 85 to 90. Jarrett, P. M., 1983. Testing of Peats and Organic Soils, A.S.T.M., STP 82oTAmerican^Society for i Testing and Materials, Ann Arbor, Mich. 239 p. Limnoterra, 1982. Report on Agricultural and Peat i Potential of the Hardee Farms International Property, Alfred Bo"g"i Kitchener, Ontario. i 40 p. l 82 l Monenco Ontario Limited, 1981. Evaluation of the l Potential of Peat in Ontario^Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Mineral Resources Branch, l Occasional Paper No. 7. 193 p. Ontario geological Survey, 1984. Peatland Inventory Project Specifications. Ministry of Natural l Resources, Toronto, Ontario. 131 p. Surveys and Mapping Branch, 1980. Ontario Basic Mapping Sheets. 1018 5050 50300, , 1018 50"5P~ l 50350, 1018 5150 50350, 1018 5100 50350. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto, l Ontario. Terasmae, J., 1965. Surficial Geology of the Cornwall and St. Lawrence Seaway Project Areas, Ontario. l Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 121. 54 p. Wilson, Alice E., 1964. Geology of the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Lowland, pntario^and Quebec.Geological l Survey of Canada, Memoir 241. bb p. l l l l l l l l l l l 83 AIRPHOTO INTERPRETATION bird and hale ltd. BIOPHYSICAL INVENTORY AND CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND BIOLOGISTS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REFUSE AND SOLID 1263 BAY STREET WASTE SYSTEMS TORONTO, ONTARIO MBR 2C1 REMOTE SENSING 416-925-1147 S.J. GLENN BIRD, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., O.L.S. IAN M. HALE, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. November 23, 1984 31G07NW0001 63.4497 ALFRED 900 l 586565 Ontario Inc. (Alfred Project) c/o Hardee Farms International Ltd. l 931 Yonge Street Suite 200 Toronto, Ontario M4W 2H7 l Attention; Shahe F. Sabag l Dear Sirs: Re: Hardee Farms International Alfred Bog Holdings l Peat Evaluation Study Our File No. 84-135——— l We have completed our evaluation of the peat resources of ,the Hardee Farms International holdings on the Alfred Bog. This study was conducted in accordance with the procedures contained in our proposal dated May 7, 1984. The results l are contained in the accompanying report and maps. We trust that the accompanying information meets with your l approval. Should any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for the. opportunity, of working with you on this project. We look forward to working with you in the l future. Yours very truly, l Bill Moore, , C. E. T. I an M. Hale, P., Eng, l l l l l -Mf * - *Bt i mi -•1-"- PEATLAND INVENTORY- THE ALFRED BOG Scale l : 10,000 BASE MAP LEGEND LIMIT OF DETAILED STUDY SITE DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND /OR FLOW DIRECTION SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS COUNTY ROADS PONDED WATER AGRICULTURAL SOIL SAMPLE LOCATION GROUND PHOTO LOCATION 8 DIRECTION BASE MAP BY ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES , SURVEYS AND MAPPING BRANCH, A IR PHOTOGRAPHY 1 979 1978 PHOTOGRAPHS WERE USED FOR AIRPHOTO INTERPRETATION SCALE: l : 10,0 00 DATE : AUGUST. 1984 BASE MAP INTERPRETATION : B. W. H CHECKED : W R. M . CHECKED : W. R. M. THE ALFRED BOG DATE OF PHOTOGRAPHY : SEE NOTE ALFRED AND CALEDONIA TOWNSHIPS- ONTARIO bird and hale ltd. | Airphoto interpretation studies m Engineering and environmental coordination 31G07NW0001 63.4497 ALFRED 200 ^F****-S. f* ^ ^i. s*7 \.^**w. AU, PEATLAND INVENTORY-THE ALFRED BOG BASE MAP LEGEND ELEVATION MAP LEGEND LIMIT OF DETAILED STUDY SITE ELEVATION CONTOURS m interval DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS BASE MAP BY ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES , SURVEYS AND MAPPING BRANCH, AIR PHOTOGRAPHY 1979 1978 PHOTOGRAPHS WERE U SED F OR AIRPHOTO INTERPRETATION ELEVATION MAP INTERPRETATION : B. W. H. CHECKED : W. R. M. THE ALFRED BOG DATE OF PHOTOGRAPHY : SEE NOTE ALFRED AND CALEDONIA TOWNSHIPS ONTARIO bird and hale ltd. | Airphoto interpretation studies m Engineering and environmental coordination 31G07NW0001 6 3.4497 ALFRED 210 y j . y^-y ^ s mS jj^fS jiki lf -^* 4^ ^.—— ——— HE-%**—————"~ Alt PEATLAND INVENTORY-THE ALFRED BOG Scale l : 10.000 BASE MAP LEGEND ISOPACH MAP LEGEND LIMIT OF DETAILED STUDY S ITE Total peat depth ( m ) — — — — — — — l DRAINAGE C HANNEL A ND/OR FLOW DIRECTION Depth o f surficial layer (m) — — -^0-9/2.6 O — — — — — Survey point SURVEY POINTS Avg. H of surficial layer ——— — — ^2.6/44 Avg. H of total p eat depth ——— — — PHYSICAL SAMPLE L OCATION SURVEY LINE D ESIGNATION AND L ENGTH Depth contours (m} Contour intflrval a l m AREA OVER I.Em DEEP SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS TOTAL AREA SURFICIAL COUNTY ROADS 'AREA TOTAL VOLUME VOLUME H4-HIC VOLUME (ha) (ha) (million m3 ) (million m^) (miition m^ ) 1500 1479 6736 • 0.42 6,94 T BASE MAP BY ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, SURVEYS AND MAPPING BRANCH, AIR PHOTOGRAPHY 1979. 1978 PHOTOGRAPHS WERE USED FOR AIRPHOTO INTERPRETATION SCALE : l : l 0,000 DATE ' A UGUST, 1984 ISOPACH MAP INTERPRETATION : R.E. Z. DRAWN: A. B. CHECKED: W. R.M. CHECKED : R.E.Z THE ALFRED BOG DATE OF PHOTOGRAPHY : SEE NOTE DRAWING NO : 3 (84- 135) 1263 Ba^ Street ALFRED AND CALEDONIA TOWNSHIPS-ONTARIO bird and hale ltd. | Toronto - Ontario Airphoto interpretation studies " Engineering and environmental coordination