The Great Lakes Lowland Flashcards
Georgian Bay
World biosphere reserve, worlds largest freshwater archipelago (collection of islands).
Which snakes are found in georgian bay?
eastern fox snake and hog nosed snake
There are more species in the GL lowland than in the Ottawa SL lowland, why is this?
It is warmer near the great lakes, The shores of the great lakes creates greater diversity, forest fragmentation in the Ottawa SL lowland decreases population
Point Traverse in Prince Edward County is important for what reason?
Important for migrating songbirds
How did zebra mussels arrive int he Great Lakes?
From ships that came from europe, as they grew on the underside of the ships.
Sandbanks provincial park is known for this type of habitat
Sand dunes which are around the shoreline, left behind by the glacial lake iroquois
What is internationally special about Sandbanks provincial park?
It is the world’s largest fresh-water baymouth sand barrier dune formation
In Presqu’ile provincial park, what is a tombolo?
when sand gets deposited through currents and over time it connects an island to the mainland
What habitats are found in Presqu’ile?
Alvars, Large Cattail marshes
What is a cull?
Cull is when hunters drive the deer into one area and are all hunted (or as many as possible)
What grows along the shorelines and provides food for invertebrates?
Algae grows and provides food for invertebrates which then are food for migrating birds
What nests on Owen Point?
Terns
High bluff island is an important nesting site for what birds?
Gulls, Herons, and double-crested cormorants
What disease or health problem is commonly found in gulls?
Botulism which is caused by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum and causes symptoms like limp neck
How do zebra mussels contribute to Bioaccumulation?
They carry the bacteria and are an invasive species which are eaten by Round Gobies (also an invasive species) and is then eaten by gulls
What predatory bird can be commonly found on Wolfe Island?
Bald eagles
Is Wolfe Island a hilly or flat habitat?
Flat, and gives habitat for meadow vole, snowy owls, Short-eared owl (crepuscular hunters)
On Wolfe Island how are some birds killed by human interference?
Wind turbines kill birds like horned larks and tree swallows
Most of Amherst Island is being used for what?
Farming - gives habitat for meadow voles, ravens, rough legged hawk
What trees are predominant at Owl Woods nature reserve?
There is a plantation of Jack pine and owls nest in them
Martin Edwards Reserve is important for what?
Migrating Shore birds
What is significant about Manitoulin Island?
It is the largest freshwater island in the world (almost 3000km sq)
Where are the larges Alvars found?
In the bruce peninsula and Manitoulin island
What form of limestone is known to be found by the bruce peninsula and Manitoulin island?
Dolostone
Bruce Peninsula is full of plants that are part of what habitat?
Alvars - Fringed Gentian (indicator of alvar)
What behaviours does a Fringed Gentian exhibit?`
On a cloudy day they close and on a sunny day they open (due to pollination and protecting the floral parts)
What is another common Alvar plant?
Ram’s Head Lady’s slipper
The bruce peninsula is home to many globally rare plants, what are some of them?
Lakeside Daisy (great lake endemic), Dwarf Iris (great lake endemic)
What is Sea rocket?
A maritime plant that is a disjunct population in Manitoulin Island
There are massive sand dunes on Manitoulin Island which is home to these great lakes endemics
Pitcher’s thistles and Hill’s thistle
Along the Lake huron shoreline there are large sand deposits which are home to what birds?
Piping Plover chicks and Gulls (which are predators to the chicks)
There are many fens on the Bruce peninsula, how?
They receive nutrients from flowing ground water and it is warmer
What kind of plants grow in the Bruce peninsula fens?
Pitcher plants, many northern plants (calciphillics) and are subarctic disjuncts such as butterwort, 44 species of orchids, yellow Lady’s slippers, Showy Lady’s slippers, Calypso (bruce specialty), Alaska rein orchid (disjunct and a glacial relict)
50 species of ferns grow in the bruce peninsula, why is this?
Ferns like maidenhair spleenwort love calcium
The remarkable diversity of plants in the bruce peninsula gives rise to what name?
The Garden of North america
Why are conditions in the bruce peninsula so good?
Warmer climates and water that moderates, calcium in the soil, diversity of habitats
The great bodies of water provide what for the surrounding habitats?
Longer growing seasons, moderate winter, and more moisture
The massassauga rattlesnake is endangered because?
It is prone to getting hit by cars as it suns itself on the road.
