Happy Valley, King, Ontario: Difference between revisions
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==Ecology== |
==Ecology== |
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===Happy Valley Forests=== |
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[[Image:RedshoulderedHawk23.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Red-shouldered Hawk]] |
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'''Happy Valley Forests''' is a 6.48 square kilometre provincially-significant [[ecology|ecological]] area, classified as an ''Area of Natural and Scientific Interest'' by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.{{ref|hvf}} It consists of an upland [[forest]] on steeply rolling [[topography]], various wooded [[swamp]]s, and minor [[wetland]] areas (wet [[grassland|meadow]]s, [[thicket]]s and [[Typha|cattail]] swamps). A few small kettle ponds are also present. |
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Located on [[Ordovician]] bedrock over the [[Oak Ridges Moraine]], the forest attains elevations between 122 to 152 m, increasing westward. The majority of the area is composed of overburden of ice-contract stratified drift of [[sand]], [[gravel]] and [[silt]] of varying origin ([[kame]], outwash or collapse). Soil types in the forests are predominantly pontytool sandy [[loam]]; Brighton sandy loam, King clay loam (southern and western steep areas), and bottomland (along stream banks) are present in small areas. |
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The upland forest is dominated by [[Sugar Maple]] in most areas, and Sugar Maple and [[American Beech]] in others, though species such as [[Paper Birch]], [[White Ash]], [[Eastern Hemlock]], [[Cherry|Black Cherry]] and [[Red oaks|Red Oak]] are found throughout. The eastern portion is instead dominated by [[Red Maple]] and Red Oak, interspersed by American Beech, Paper Birch, Eastern Hemlock and [[Aspen|Largetooth Aspen]]. |
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In the valleys of this forest can be found Largetooth Aspen with White Birch, Red Maple and occasional Beech, Red Oak and Trembling Aspen. Moreover, several [[kettle hole|kettle depressions]] and small kettle ponds are present in the area. |
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Supporting over 100 bird species, and numerous other wildlife species, the Happy Valley Forests is recognized for its size and the presence of various rare species {{ref|species}}. Native and rare species include: |
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* ''[[Acadian Flycatcher]]'' (endangered) |
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* ''[[Red-shouldered Hawk]]'' (vulnerable) |
* ''[[Red-shouldered Hawk]]'' (vulnerable) |
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* ''[[Cerulean Warbler]]'' |
* ''[[Cerulean Warbler]]'' |
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Revision as of 14:24, 3 May 2006
Happy Valley is a sparsely populated ecologically-sensitive area located in King Township, Ontario, Canada.
Ecology
er]] (threatened)
- Red-shouldered Hawk (vulnerable)
- Cerulean Warbler
Note that the status of the species listed above is for Canada only.[1] None of these species is currently facing global extinction.
Happy Valley Infiltration Area
The Happy Valley Infiltration Area is the source for the Happy Valley Tributary, which merges with the Schomberg River.[2] It has an area of 9.45 km².
Politics
In addition to the politics of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Happy Valley Forests faces a number of political and social issues. Since the late 1990s, ATV use throughout the forest has become a concern, both because the vehicles create noise, and because they cause damage to various plants; some indigenous plants are in danger of extirpation, while similar, hardier invasive species take over their habitat.
See also
- the article on ATVs has a discussion about the use of ATVs in environmentally sensitive areas, and their potential effects in these areas.
References
- ^ Government of Ontario - Ministry of Natural Resources - Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY FORESTS
- ^ Nature Conservancy of Canada - Background: Protecting Happy Valley Forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine
- ^ Environment Canada - All Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species
- ^ Government of Ontario - Ministry of Natural Resources - Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY INFILTRATION AREA
- ^ Government of Ontario - Ministry of Natural Resources - Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY