CRITICAL HABITAT
The OAC is providing Critical Habitat for two of four Species at Risk fishes; Lake Chubsucker and Pugnose Shiner.
It is designated as Critical Habitat from its origin at Lake Road to its outlet in Port Franks.
SPECIES
AT-RISK SPECIES
What is critical habitat ?
Critical habitat is vital to the survival or recovery of wildlife species. The habitat may be an identified breeding site, nursery area or feeding ground. For species at risk, these habitats are of crucial importance, and must be identified and included in recovery strategies or action plans.
It is your responsibility to ensure that any projects you undertake comply with the Species at Risk Act. The process for doing so remains as it always has been: any works, from marinas to bridges, must be reviewed by local, provincial or federal authorities and authorized through formal approvals and permits.
For more information on Critical Habitat and the Species at Risk Act, visit: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/sara-lep/act-loi/habitat-eng.html
SPECIAL CONCERN
GRASS PICKEREL
Esox americanus vermiculatus
Grass Pickerel
Found in wetlands, ponds, slow-moving streams and shallow bays of larger lakes. Prefers warm, shallow, clear water and an abundance of aquatic plants.
- A top predator who hunts by sight, Grass Pickerel eat by either stalking or ambushing its preferred prey.
- Often the term “pickerel” is used to refer to walleye. In actuality, a pickerel is a member of the pike family.
THREATENED
PUGNOSE SHINER
Notropis anogenuss
Pugnose Shiner
Found in lakes and calm areas of rivers and creeks with clear water. Prefers plenty of aquatic vegetation, particularly stonewort (Chara spp.) which is found in large numbers in the OAC.
- The Pugnose Shiner is one of the rarest minnows in eastern North America.
- As similar as their names may be, the Pugnose Shiner and the Pugnose Minnow are two distinct species. Both are considered species at risk, both provincially and federally.
SPECIAL CONCERN
NORTHERN SUNFISH
Lepomis peltastes
Northern Sunfish
Found in lakes and calm areas of rivers and creeks with clear water. Prefers plenty of aquatic vegetation, particularly stonewort (Chara spp.) which is found in large numbers in the OAC.
- Formerly considered a subspecies of the Longear Sunfish, the Norther Sunfish is only found in Canada in a limited number of locations in Ontario and Quebec.
- Numbers have declined due to habitat loss and degradation.
ENDANGERED
LAKE CHUBSUCKER
Erimyzon secetta
Lake Chubsucker
Found in lakes and calm areas of rivers and creeks with clear water. Prefers sandy bottoms with clear still water and ample aquatic vegetation.
- Within Canada, these fish have only been found at seven locations in Southwestern Ontario, including the OAC.
THREATS
- Habitat loss due to wetland drainage
Many of the species at risk fish in the OAC require a wetland-like habitat that the channel currently provides. Since Southern Ontario has lost more than 70% of our wetlands, this has forced these fish to move into isolated pockets.
- Sedimentation from development
Sedimentation occurs when sediments are suspended in the water column, reducing water clarity. While some amount of sedimentation can occur naturally, the construction of roads and buildings along with improper stormwater management greatly exceeds the natural variations. Species at risk are particularly vulnerable to sedimentation as they need clean and clear waters to survive.
- Pollution from urban and agricultural run-off
Nutrient enrichment from wide-spread application of fertilizers, manure spills, improperly maintained septic systems, and sewage treatment outputs harms water quality and fish habitat. When too many nutrients are present in a waterbody, excessive vegetative growth occurs. Too much plant growth leads to blocked sunlight for plants below the surface so plants begin dying off and decomposing. Since decomposition requires oxygen, large scale plant die-offs can lead to low dissolved oxygen levels and fish kill events. Species at risk are typically particularly vulnerable to lower oxygen levels.