ORDC – 407 NORTH 1

Credit Valley Conservation Region of Peel NAI Area # 1077, 2388 Authority City of Size: 48.80 hectares Watershed: Credit River Con 2 W, Lots 12,13 and Con Ownership: 19% private, 81% 3 W, Lots 12,13; south of Hwy public (Credit Valley Subwatershed: Credit River: 407 between the ORDC rail Conservation, Province of Norval to line and Mavis Road , City of )

General Summary ORDC – 407 North is an urban natural area that straddles the boundary of Brampton and Mississauga, on the Credit River floodplain within the Parkway Belt West Plan area. Located east of the Credit River and south of the Highway 407 corridor, the natural area includes a hydro transmission corridor, and is bordered on the south by residential development in Mississauga. Barring infrastructure development within the Parkway Belt West, the natural area is likely to remain in its current state, escaping further urban development. Part of the area is included in Meadowvale Conservation Area.

The south part of the site is gently sloping above the east wall of the Credit River valley, the southwest part is river valley wall and floodplain and the northeast part consists of a small ravine carrying a tributary stream between residential developments that flows into the Credit River. The uneven ground produces creeks, swales, berms dry and wet spots so the area has a variety of environmental conditions. ORDC – 407 North supports Species At Risk and rare species and includes provincially significant wetlands.

The area is large, providing an opportunity to support area-sensitive species, if the surrounding disturbances can be sufficiently mitigated. The site is also at the intersection of two major wildlife movement corridors, the Credit River valley and the east-west corridor along the Parkway Belt West/hydro right-of-way that allows for movement between watersheds and subwatersheds.

An Ecological Land Classification vegetation community inventory was conducted over 73% of this area that the field crew had access to. A thorough inventory of the plant species was conducted in conjunction with the ELC work (Table 1). Fish species presence was taken from sampling conducted by MNR from 2011 to 2012. Fish species presence was also extrapolated from sampling undertaken a short distance downstream of the site, where no barriers occurred to obstruct fish movements, and where no major change in stream size occurs that would affect species composition. Other fauna were recorded as incidental observations. The part of the natural surveyed was in the City of Brampton.

Table 1: BNAI Field Visits Date Visited Inventory Type 16 June 2011 Fish 8 Apr. 2011 Fish 27, 28 Sept. ELC 11-13 Apr. 2011 Fish 2011 13 Apr. 2011 Fish 30 Sept. 2011 ELC 15-16 Apr. 2011 Fish 11 Oct. 2011 Dragonflies/Damselflies 18-20 Apr. 2011 Fish 5 Apr. 2012 Fish 22 Apr. 2011 Fish 11-14 Apr. 2012 Fish 27-28 Apr. 2011 Fish 16-30 Apr. 2012 Fish 4-19 May 2011 Fish 6 May 2012 Dragonflies/Damselflies 25-26 May 2011 Fish 1-11 May 2012 Fish 28 May 2011 Fish 13-30 May 2012 Fish 30 May 2011 Fish 1-26 June 2012 Fish 1-9 June 2011 Fish 25 Oct. 2012 Dragonflies/Damselflies 13-14 June 2011 Fish

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 2

Natural Feature Classifications and Planning Areas This natural area is part of: ESA – Credit River at Meadowvale ESA PSW – Churchville–Norval Wetland Complex

Physical Features ORDC – 407 North is in the Peel Plain physiographic region (Chapman and Putnam, 1984), characterized by a relatively flat topography which gradually slopes toward . This plain contains numerous rivers and streams with deeply cut valleys.

The south part of the area has Georgian Bay formation shale bedrock and the tableland of the north part of the site has the younger Queenston shale bedrock. The Georgian Bay shales are grey-green and grey-bue in colour while the Queenston shale is red in colour with thin green interbedded layers. Halton Till low permeability clayey silt and silt deposits cover the Queenston shale, over the north half of the area, farthest back from the river. In the southwest part of the area, the bedrock is covered by alluvial sands and gravels of an abandoned floodplain terrace, from times during the retreat of the glaciers when the river was much larger. In the current Credit River valley more modern alluvial sand, silts, gravels and clay deposits with some organic material and variable permeability covers the bedrock.

The soils at ORDC – 407 North are mostly Chinguacousy series clay loams, slightly stony soils with imperfect drainage. The southwest part of the site with the abandoned floodplain terrace has a band of alluvial soils from when the old river was active. The northeast tip of the area has Oneida series clay loam soils which drain better than the Chinguacousy series clay loams.

Several small tributary streams flow through this site from the northeast and from the north, into the Credit River. The streams are the main hydrological features of this site along with the adjacent Credit River. A large part of this area is floodplain of the Credit River. Several old oxbow wetlands occur where the river has shifted its course. The oxbows are no longer ponds with open water but support wetland vegetation and are included in the provincially significant wetland complex. The creeks take a natural course across the landscape. There are also two stormwater management ponds in this area, one near Highway 407 and the other a two-cell pond near a bend of the river at the south end of the site. The two-cell pond has pipes in the berm that separates the pond from the river. The pond was designed to receive flows from the Credit River during high water events, and these flows are held by the pond and drain out slowly after the storm event. These ponds were also designed to create fish habitat, using a scalloped margin and with habitat structures in the ponds below the water’s surface. What appear to be seepage areas were observed in the valley nearby. Evidence of groundwater discharge in seeps was observed.

Human History ORDC – 407 North is located within the southern portion of the City of Brampton approximately 1.5 kilometres east of the Village of Churchville. The village was officially founded in 1815 by Amaziah Church, who built a gristmill on the Credit River. The original village was built on the floodplain of the river surrounding the mill. Settlers cleared forests from the land to practice agriculture, and the gently sloping land at this site, built up from previous floodplains, would have provided good conditions for farming. In the 1870s the Credit Valley Railway was constructed along the southwest edge of what is now the ORDC – 407 North natural area. The railway, now referred to as the ORDC (Orangeville Railway Development Corporation), is still in use as an industrial line connecting Orangeville with the CPR line in Mississauga and also as a scenic excursion line between Streetsville and Orangeville.

The building of the Highway 407 expressway within the Parkway Belt West Plan area has dramatically changed the lands of ORDC – 407 North natural area. The agricultural lands of this area were acquired for the highway in the 1960s adjacent to a hydro transmission right-of-way, although the land remained vacant until the highway was built between 1993 and 1997. This vacant period

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 3 allowed the land to undergo succession toward treed communities. The northwest edge of ORDC – 407 North that lies adjacent to Highway 407 would have been impacted by highway construction and continues to be impacted by highway use. Highway 407 was opened for traffic in December 1997 in this area. It was built with landscaped embankments for aesthetic purposes, with stormwater management ponds at interchanges and lighting. Although the embankments and stormwater ponds were built to mitigate highway impacts, noise and lighting are ongoing impacts. Currently, the highway is periodically busy, but not as much as Highway 401 and the QEW, that are farther south.

Prior to the construction of Highway 407, Chinguacousy Road bisected this site; however, the road now ends in cul-de-sacs, north of the highway and south of Derry Road. In 2001/2002 a two-celled stormwater management pond was constructed on the floodplain at a bend in the Credit River on the old Chinguacousy Road right-of-way. The pond was engineered to also provide fish habitat in addition to water retention (during flood and high runoff periods) functions. A recent dragonfly/damselfly survey of this pond found it to have unusually high diversity. The housing subdivision adjacent to the northeast end of ORDC – 407 North was built at the same time as the pond, 2001-2002.

A large part of the ORDC – 407 North natural area is part of the hydro right-of-way, that is traversed with transmission towers and includes a driving track for occasional maintenance. The right-of-way also has the potential for occasional vegetation control. The south portion of the area is part of Meadowvale Conservation Area. The natural area is used recreationally by local residents for walking and the Culham Trail passes through the area; however, several unauthorized recreational uses occur here including dirt biking and a party hangout.

Vegetation Communities This natural area is in the Carolinian Forest Ecoregion (Lake Erie – Lake Ontario Ecoregion; 7E).

The general community types present here are coniferous forest (1%), deciduous forest (19%), shallow marsh (18%), deciduous swamp (3%), open aquatic (1%), cultural meadow (43%) and cultural thicket (15%).

A total of four vegetation communities were mapped for the 73% of this natural area that was accessed, representing three different vegetation types (Table 2).

All of the communities at ORDC – 407 North contain patches of vegetation different from the main community types, but too small to map and recognize as separate communities. Although they are small, they still contribute additional habitat diversity and are noted as inclusions. The Exotic Forb Old Field Meadow community (CUM1-c, polygon 1121051) contains inclusions of Cattail Graminoid Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM1-2), Common Reed Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAM2-A), Mixed Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM3-1) and Treed Hedgerow (CUH1-A) vegetation types. The Reed Canary Grass Mineral Shallow Marsh community (MAS2-D, polygon 1121052) contains inclusions of Cattail Graminoid Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM1-2), Broad-leaved Sedge Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAM2-6), Giant Manna Grass Mineral Shallow Marsh (MAS2-E) and Willow Mineral Deciduous Swamp (SWD4-1) vegetation types. The Exotic Cultural Thicket community (CUT1-C, polygon 1121054) has variable topography at a small scale and thus supports inclusions of Willow Mineral Thicket Swamp (SWT2-2), Willow Mineral Deciduous Swamp (SWD4-1), Mixed Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM3-1), Native Forb Old Field Meadow (CUM1-A) and Buckthorn Cultural Thicket (CUT1- B) vegetation types. The second Exotic Cultural Thicket community (CUT1-C, polygon 1121057) contains an inclusion of Cattail Graminoid Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM1-2) vegetation.

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 4

Table 2. ELC vegetation communities surveyed

Polygon ID Size (ha) Community Type Canopy Sub-canopy Understory Ground Layer

Dominant Species at each height layer Dead Coniferous Purple Reed Canary Tree, Crack Loosestrife, Late Grass Mineral Willow, Reed Canary Goldenrod, 8.95 Crack Willow 1121052 Shallow Marsh Riverbank Grass Swamp Aster, (18.34%) (MAS2-D) Grape, Thicket Panicled Aster Creeper subspecies

Manitoba Maple, Common Multiple Grass Common Crown- Eastern White Buckthorn, species, Late Exotic Forb Old vetch, Tufted Cedar, Staghorn Goldenrod, 19.57 Field Meadow Vetch, Birds-foot 1121051 Common Sumac, Multiple Aster (40.10%) (CUM1-c) Trefoil, Thicket Apple, Tartarian species, Creeper Sandbar Honeysuckle Creeping Thistle

Willow

Common Manitoba Maple, Common Crack Willow, Buckthorn, Riverbank Buckthorn, Exotic Cultural Trembling Multiple Grass 5.55 Grape, American Tartarian 1121054 Thicket (CUT1-C) Aspen, species, Garlic (11.37%) Elm, Common Honeysuckle, Balsam Poplar Mustard, Avens Buckthorn Riverbank Grape species

Riverbank Common Common Grape, Buckthorn, Late Goldenrod, Buckthorn, Common Tartarian Multiple Aster Exotic Cultural Avens species, 1.60 Buckthorn, Honeysuckle, species, Multiple 1121057 Thicket (CUT1-C) Garlic Mustard, (3.28%) Red-osier Staghorn Grass species, Multiple Grass Dogwood, Sumac, White Thicket Creeper species White Ash Ash

Species Presence Vascular Plants A total of 122 vascular plant species occur in ORDC – 407 North, of which 64 (52%) are native. One of the plant species here is provincially rare: Hybrid Aster ( Symphyotrichum x amethystinum , S- rank S3?). Four additional plant species are regionally rare (Table 4), although one of these (Red Pine, Pinus resinosa ) might have been planted.

Of the non-native plant species found at ORDC – 407 North, 32 are invasive. Nine of these invasive species are considered to be transformers which exclude all other species and dominate sites indefinitely, five species are highly invasive which tend to dominate only certain niches or do not spread rapidly from major concentrations, 12 species are moderately invasive which can become locally dominant given certain conditions and six are minimally invasive species which do not pose an immediate threat to natural areas but compete with more desirable native species.

Birds A total of 13 bird species were observed at this site, of which 12 (92%) are native. None are at risk or rare.

One of the bird species observed here was a raptor, Merlin ( Falco columbarius ) flying over the area. Additional visits are recommended to determine whether the Merlin inhabits the natural area or whether it was just passing over.

Evidence of an unidentified woodpecker species was observed. Some woodpeckers may be indicative of significant wildlife habitat. Thus, it is recommended that a visit be made to this natural

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 5 area during the spring breeding season to determine the woodpecker species present here and also to determine if it is breeding on site.

Fish Fish records for this natural are come from sampling of the main Credit River that forms part of the boundary of this area. A total of 29 species of fish have been recorded at Financial – 407 North, of which 25 (86%) are native. One of these, ( Salmo salar ) is a Species At Risk (Table 3). Atlantic Salmon was extirpated from the Credit River but has since been re-introduced.

The river here supports both mixed cool/cold water fish communities and warmwater fish communities. Atlantic Salmon and Fantail Darter ( Etheostoma flabellare ) are indicators of cold water conditions. Two additional species present here, Central Mudminnow ( Umbra limi ) and Northern Redbelly Dace ( Phoxinus eos ) are indicators of groundwater discharge into the river. Central Mudminnow is considered to be uncommon in Brampton (J. Clayton, pers. comm. 2011). While some fish species at this site are tolerant of warm water and low dissolved oxygen conditions, the presence of other fish species such as Longnose Dace ( Rhinichthys cataractae ) that require high dissolved oxygen indicate that oxygen levels are generally good at this site.

Five of the fish species in this area are of recreational interest: Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon (Onchorhynchus tshawytscha ), ( Etheostoma caeruleum ), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides ) and Smallmouth Bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ).

One of the non-native fish here, Sea Lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) is a threat to salmonids and its presence is controlled by dams and lampricides.

Dragonflies/Damselflies One of the stormwater management ponds at this site was sampled on three occasions for dragonfly/damselfly larvae, as part of a search for rare species of this group. Although the whole natural area was not surveyed, a total of 18 species of dragonflies/damselflies were detected. Four of these species are provincially rare, specifically Amber-winged Spreadwing ( Lestes eurinus , S-rank = S3), Unicorn Clubtail ( Arigomphus villosipes , S-rank = S2S3), Lilypad Clubtail ( Arigomphus furcifer , S-rank S3) and Swamp Darner ( Epiaeschna heros , S-rank = S2S3).

Butterflies and Skippers At least three species of butterflies occur at this site, two of which (67%) are native. One of these, Monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) is a Species At Risk, considered Special Concern nationally and provincially (Table 3). Monarch is also provincially rare (S-rank S2N,S2B).

Herpetofauna Three native frog species occur at this site, none of which are at risk or rare. As these observations were made late in September, it is unknown whether the natural area supports amphibian breeding. It is recommended that early spring visits be made to ORDC – 407 North to determine if frog breeding occurs here.

Mammals Two common, native mammal species were observed in this site.

Table 3. Designated Species at Risk Scientific Name Common Name COSEWIC COSSARO S-Rank G-Rank Butterflies Danaus plexippus Monarch SC SC S2N,S4B G5

Fish Salmo salar Atlantic Salmon EXT EXP SX G5T1

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 6

Table 4: Regionally rare species (Kaiser, 2001) Scientific Name Common Name S-Rank G-Rank Vascular Plants Pinus resinosa Red Pine S5 G5 Polygonum hydropiperoides Mild Water-pepper S5 G5 Salix exigua Sandbar Willow S5 G5 Sparganium eurycarpum Large Bur-reed S5 G5

Site Condition and Disturbances This site is in relatively good condition although some parts are highly impacted by current recreational use. The area has been disturbed historically by past agricultural use, as the valley wall here is gently sloping and thus was suitable for crops and/or livestock grazing. Most, and likely all, of the forest cover was removed by agricultural use although some trees have regenerated particularly near the river and in the small side ravine between housing developments.

Non-native species are abundant throughout ORDC – 407 North and there are many invasive species present. Some of the invasive species are particularly problematic due to their aggressive nature and ability to overgrow and dominate natural communities. The problematic invasive species here are Common Buckthorn ( Rhamnus cathartica ), Garlic Mustard ( Alliaria petiolata ), Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica ), Dame’s Rocket ( Hesperis matronalis ), Common Reed ( Phragmites australis ), Purple Loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria ), Reed Manna-grass ( Glyceria maxima ), Ornamental Jewelweed ( Impatiens glandulifera ) and Manitoba Maple ( Acer negundo ). The drier communities, associated with higher levels of recreational use, have the highest disturbance from invasive species.

A variety of recreational uses in parts of this natural area have highly impacted the communities of ORDC – 407 North. The meadow community has well-marked, widespread and heavily used tracks and trails, at least some of them unauthorized. The paths are used by ATV-users, cyclists, hikers, fishermen and dog-walkers, with the ATVs and bicycles causing erosion in some places. The access that trails provide to the natural area allows for additional types of disturbances such as party spots. One large party spot was noted with a campfire pit, a mowed area and lots of garbage. The thicket community that runs alongside the river and highway, and adjacent to the marsh, also has well- marked tracks. The marsh and the thicket on a slope have only light localized disturbance from trails. The thicket community, being less used by people, made it attractive for a possible marijuana grow- op, as dug holes and bags of soil were found.

The communities with the most heavily-used tracks also have the largest amounts of garbage and trash dumping. Some of the items dumped were large, including metal, wood and appliances. Garbage also occurred in the other communities but it tends to be more localized and in smaller amounts.

A major highway (Highway 407) runs along the north boundary of this area and runoff from the road carrying road salt and other pollutants may impact adjacent communities.

Some patches of displaced earth occur in the middle of the natural area, most easily accessed by a vehicle. Noise disturbance is pervasive at light to mostly moderate levels. Much of the noise is highway noise.

Several natural disturbances also impact ORDC – 407 North. Light to heavy flooding evidence is present, particularly in the floodplain part of the site and along creeks. Evidence of light browse is present throughout the area, localized in some parts and widespread in other parts. Most of the communities have occasional dead trees or tree in poor condition. This can be due to adverse environmental conditions (e.g. saturated soils from flooding, soils too dry to support trees as they grow larger, damage from high winds, ice damage) or due to diseases (e.g. Dutch Elm Disease affecting American Elm trees). Some trees that have been toppled by the wind are evident.

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 7

The large meadow community has received some localized restoration plantings.

Ecological Features and Functions This natural area is part of the Credit River at Meadowvale ESA and includes wetlands of the Churchville–Norval Provincially Significant Wetland Complex.

With forest communities greater than 2 hectares, wetlands over 0.5 hectares in size and cultural meadow totaling over 10 hectares, this natural area has the potential to support and sustain biodiversity, healthy ecosystem functions and to provide long-term resilience for the natural system. ORDC – 407 North includes the riparian area of the Credit River, providing a transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic habitats, helping to maintain the quality of the river, and providing a movement corridor for plants and wildlife.

By containing a relatively high number of habitat types, this natural area has the potential for high biodiversity function, particularly for species that require more than one habitat type for their life needs.

The Parkway Belt West Plan area that crosses Brampton is generally a broad band of natural/successional habitat that provides an east-west corridor for wildlife movement. This band is also important in providing an avenue for gene flow between the generally north-south aligned valley corridors. The Parkway Belt West is a mosaic of successional and agricultural lands lying adjacent to the highway and includes a hydro transmission corridor. A variety of roads traverse the Parkway Belt West ranging from relatively quiet residential roads to busy arterial roads, that create separate sections and pose varying limits to wildlife movement. The relatively close proximity of other areas of natural habitat creates above-average potential for wildlife movement between natural areas, species dispersal and recovery from disturbance, creating additional resilience for the ecosystem.

The Credit River runs adjacent to this area and thus this natural area supports the connectivity function of the Credit River and its tributaries by providing a natural habitat corridor that facilitates the inter-regional movement between major provincial corridors such as the Lake Ontario shoreline, and the Oak Ridges Moraine.

This natural area supports two Species At Risk (one fish species, one butterfly species), six provincially rare species (one plant species, one butterfly species, four dragonfly/damselfly species) and four regionally rare plant species.

Three species of amphibians were observed at this site, suggesting that ORDC – 407 North may support amphibian breeding.

Seepage areas occur at this site. Seepage areas often support a high diversity of plant species and vegetation communities, and provide important habitat to a number of wildlife species, including mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates. Seepage areas are important for wildlife species in the winter when the surrounding areas are covered by snow and surface water is frozen.

Based on the above features, this area should be evaluated to determine if significant wildlife habitat is present, in accordance with the Provincial Policy Statement, Region of Peel Official Plan, and Brampton Official Plan.

Snags, fallen logs and cavity trees are abundant at this site providing foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 8

Recommendations 1. Restriction of Vehicle Access: Better restriction of vehicle access (i.e. ATVs and trucks) to this natural area would benefit the ecological communities here, by reducing the major types of recreational disturbance such as dumping of large items, erosion on tracks and trails and dumping of large amounts of garbage.

2. Trash: The garbage found throughout the area should be cleaned up annually to improve the area ecologically and to discourage further littering and dumping.

3. Invasive Species Control: Although there are invasive species present in various quantities at this site many will be challenging to control. Control measures that are undertaken would have to be continued for several years until native vegetation increases to dominate the communities. Over time it is expected that invasive species such as Common Buckthorn would entirely take over the currently open communities. As a provincially significant wetland, the large marsh community should be protected as much as possible from invasive species. a) Control plan: This site is highly impacted by invasive species (problematic invasive species present, widespread invasive species, many different invasive species, dense populations of invasive species, or several of these cases). A detailed assessment of invasive species at this site and a control plan is recommended as a high priority, in order to limit the impact and attempt to restore the ecological integrity of this natural area. b) Common Buckthorn removal: Patches of Common Buckthorn could be removed, followed by dense plantings of fast growing tree and shrub species which could help to speed up the transition of this area to native forest. c) Purple Loosestrife removal: Purple Loosestrife and Ornamental Jewelweed could be hand-pulled in early summer when in flower but before it has gone to seed to help limit its spread.

4. Species At Risk Habitat: Species At Risk were found in this natural area and a detailed assessment of the habitat condition is recommended, in order to identify actions that may help to retain or enhance the habitat for the SAR.

5. Meadow Maintenance: The large meadow community at this site provides habitat for grassland species. Maintaining this habitat as meadow, preventing it from undergoing succession to treed communities, would help maintain a diversity of habitats, resulting in higher biodiversity over the whole natural area. Mowing every three to five years in the late summer after grassland birds have fledged might be needed to curtail the growth of shrubs and tree saplings, although the local deer and rabbit population that are responsible for the observed browsing evidence may be sufficient on their own.

6. Restoration Plantings: Limited restoration plantings designed to mitigate disturbances are recommended at this site. a) For improved ecological goods and services: Plantings of trees and shrubs along Highway 407 will help to filter dust and exhaust coming from the highway and may reduce some of the highway noise, thus improving the environment for wildlife. Strategic planting of coniferous trees may help to reduce snow drifting and blowing across the highway in winter, improving driving safety conditions. b) To increase the proportion of native species: The proportion of native species in the flora at this site is relatively low, mostly likely due to historical agricultural land use and/or re-planting practices. Restoration seeding or plantings with native species may help to improve the ratio of native to non-native species here, thus restoring biodiversity and ecosystem stability and resilience here. A goal would be to retain the community class (e.g. meadow, thicket) while allowing native species the opportunity to dominate community composition. Native flora species are best at supporting native fauna and ecosystem functions.

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 9

7. Enhance Wildlife Movement Corridor: This area, forms part of an east-west corridor of natural habitat running across the urban areas of Brampton and Mississauga that is important in facilitating wildlife movement between valleylands. However, this corridor is transected by several busy arterial roads which may limit wildlife movement to varying degrees. There are opportunities to enhance wildlife movement along this corridor, by making passage safer for wildlife. Fencing of the natural area along the major roads and the construction of eco-passages would help to prevent wildlife from being hit by vehicles and would provide safe places for movement along the corridor. It is recommended that consideration be given to incorporating eco-passages as the roads crossing the corridor are upgraded.

8. Additional Inventory Work: Additional ecological knowledge about ORDC – 407 North could be gained by performing additional inventories. a) Breeding birds: ORDC - 407 North may be a site where grassland breeding bird surveys could be performed, especially in view of the large size of the area. b) Dragonflies/damselflies: The meadow, river and seep habitats at this site may provide enough prey insects and habitat needs to support a variety of dragonflies/damselflies. c) Butterflies: Inventories of butterflies in the meadows here may be productive. d) Amphibians: The riparian area at this site provides potential habitat for amphibian species, which should be inventoried to better understand biodiversity at this site. Highway 407 is unsuitable for conducting frog surveys so walk-in inventories are recommended.

Literature Cited Chapman, L.J. and Putnam, D.F. 1984. The Physiography of Southern Ontario . 3rd ed. Special Volume 2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Geological Survey, Toronto.

Kaiser, Jeff. 2001. The Vascular Plant Flora of the Region of Peel and the Credit River Watershed . Prepared for: Credit Valley Conservation, the Regional Municipality of Peel, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 10

Vascular Plant Species at ORDC – 407 North

P= provincially rare, R= regionally rare Invasive Score: 1=Transformer, 2=Highly Invasive, 3=Moderately Invasive, 4=Minimally Invasive, 5=Potentially Invasive See "CVC Priority Invasive Plants" list for additional information about invasive score *Planted species have been denoted with an asterisk unless additional natural specimens occur

Native Vascular Plant Species

Scientific Name Common Name Abies balsamea Balsam Fir Acer saccharum ssp. saccharum Sugar Maple Ambrosia trifida Giant Ragweed Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed Bidens frondosa Devil's Beggar-ticks Carex lacustris Lake-bank Sedge Carex vulpinoidea Fox Sedge Clematis virginiana Virginia Virgin-bower Cornus rugosa Roundleaf Dogwood Cornus stolonifera Red-osier Dogwood Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Erigeron annuus Eastern Daisy Fleabane Eupatorium maculatum ssp. maculatum Spotted Joe-pye Weed Euthamia graminifolia Flat-top Goldentop Fragaria vesca ssp. americana Woodland Strawberry Fraxinus americana White Ash Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw Impatiens capensis Spotted Touch-me-not Juglans nigra Black Walnut Juncus sp. Rush species Lemna minor Lesser Duckweed Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum False Solomon's-seal Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica Ostrich Fern Mentha arvensis Wild Mint Parthenocissus inserta Thicket Creeper Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass Pinus resinosa Red Pine R Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine Polygonum hydropiperoides Mild Water-pepper R Populus balsamifera ssp. balsamifera Balsam Poplar Populus grandidentata Large-tooth Aspen Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Prunus serotina Wild Black Cherry Prunus virginiana ssp. virginiana Chokecherry Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak Rhus hirta Staghorn Sumac Ribes americanum Wild Black Currant Rubus idaeus Common Red Raspberry Sagittaria latifolia Broadleaf Arrowhead

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 11

Salix eriocephala Heart-leaved Willow Salix exigua Sandbar Willow R Sambucus canadensis Common Elderberry Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Soft-stem Bulrush Scirpus atrovirens Dark-green Bulrush Smilax hispida Hispid Greenbrier Solidago altissima var. altissima Late Goldenrod Sparganium eurycarpum Large Bur-reed R Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum Panicled Aster subspecies Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum Small White Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster Symphyotrichum puniceum Swamp Aster Symphyotrichum x amethystinum Hybrid Aster P Thuja occidentalis Eastern White Cedar Tilia americana American Basswood Typha latifolia Broad-leaf Cattail Ulmus americana American Elm Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis California Nettle Verbena hastata Blue Vervain Verbena urticifolia White Vervain Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Vitis riparia Riverbank Grape Xanthium strumarium Rough Cocklebur

Non-native Vascular Plant Species Scientific Name Common Name Invasive Score Acer ginnala Amur Maple 3 Acer negundo Manitoba Maple 1 Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard 1 Arctium minus ssp. minus Common Burdock Asparagus officinalis Garden Asparagus Centaurea sp. Knapweed species Cichorium intybus Chicory Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle 2 Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle Convallaria majalis European Lily-of-the-valley 2 Coronilla varia Common Crown-vetch 2 Crataegus monogyna English Hawthorn 3 Daucus carota Queen Anne's Lace Dipsacus fullonum ssp. sylvestris Teasel 3 Epilobium hirsutum Great-hairy Willow-herb Epilobium parviflorum Small-flower Willow-herb Epipactis helleborine Eastern Helleborine Glyceria maxima Reed Manna-grass 1 Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem Artichoke Hesperis matronalis Dame's Rocket 1 Hypericum perforatum Common St. John's-wort 4 Impatiens glandulifera Ornamental Jewelweed 1 Inula helenium Elecampane Flower 4 Lathyrus latifolius Broad-leaf Peavine Lonicera tatarica Tartarian Honeysuckle 1 Lotus corniculatus Birds-foot Trefoil 3

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 12

Lycopus europaeus European Bugleweed 3 Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife 1 Malus pumila Common Apple Medicago sativa ssp. sativa Alfalfa 4 Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweet Clover 3 Nasturtium microphyllum One-row Water-cress Nepeta cataria Catnip 4 Pastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip 3 Phragmites australis Common Reed 1 Picea abies Norway Spruce Plantago major Common Plantain Polygonum persicaria Lady's Thumb Rhamnus cathartica Common Buckthorn 1 Robinia pseudo-acacia Black Locust 2 Rumex crispus Curly Dock Salix alba White Willow 3 Salix fragilis Crack Willow 3 Salix pentandra Laurel Willow Solanum dulcamara Climbing Nightshade 3 Syringa vulgaris Common Lilac 3 Tussilago farfara Colt's Foot 4 Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved Cattail 2 Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein Viburnum opulus Guelder-rose Viburnum 4 Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch 3

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 13

Fauna Species at ORDC – 407 North

Type Common Name Scientific Name

Bird American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Bird American Robin Turdus migratorius Bird Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Bird Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Bird Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Bird European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Bird Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Bird Merlin Falco columbarius Bird Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Bird Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Bird Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Bird Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Bird Woodpecker species Woodpecker sp. Butterfly, Skipper Cabbage White Pieris rapae Butterfly, Skipper Monarch Danaus plexippus Butterfly, Skipper Viceroy Limenitis archippus Amber-winged Dragonfly/Damselfly Spreadwing Lestes eurinus Dragonfly/Damselfly Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata Dragonfly/Damselfly Eastern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis Dragonfly/Damselfly Lilypad Clubtail Arigomphus furcifer Dragonfly/Damselfly Rusty Snaketail Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Dragonfly/Damselfly Swamp Darner Epiaeschna heros Dragonfly/Damselfly Unicorn Clubtail Arigomphus furcifer Fish Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar Fish Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus Fish Brook Stickleback Culaea inconstans Fish Salmo trutta Fish Central Mudminnow Umbra limi Fish Chinook Salmon Onchorhynchus tshawytscha Fish Coho Salmon Onchorhynchus kisutch Fish Common Shiner Luxilus cornutus Fish Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus Fish Eastern Blacknose Dace Rhinichthys atratulus Fish Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides Fish Fantail Darter Etheostoma flabellare Fish Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas Fish Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Fish Hornyhead Chub Nocomis biguttatus Fish Johnny Darter Etheostoma nigrum Fish Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Fish Longnose Dace Rhinichthys cataractae Fish Northern Hog Sucker Hypentelium nigricans

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 14

Fish Northern Redbelly Dace Phoxinus eos Fish Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus Fish Rainbow Darter Etheostoma caeruleum Fish Rainbow Trout Onchorhynchus mykiss Fish River Chub Nocomis micropogon Fish Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris Fish Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus Fish Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu Fish Stonecat Noturus flavus Fish White Sucker Catostomus commersonii Herpetofauna American Toad Bufo americanus Herpetofauna Eastern Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Herpetofauna Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor Mammal Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Mammal White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

*Designated Species at Risk and provincially rare species shown in bold

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 15

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013 ORDC – 407 NORTH 16

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013