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Building a Regional Monitoring Framework Integrating Local Programs and the Ontario Niagara Escarpment Monitoring Program Robert Milne Wilfrid Laurier University Lorne Bennett University of Guelph Graham Whitelaw University of Waterloo James Hamilton Wilfrid Laurier University

Objectives Review the Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment (ONE) Monitoring Program and existing regional and local monitoring programs concerning natural heritage Determine regional monitoring gaps and limitations of the ONE program Consider potential for integration between regional agencies including Niagara Escarpment Commission and Conservation Authorities

Relationship between Monitoring, Evaluating Cumulative Effects and Planning Decisions (after Ramsey, 1996)

Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment (ONE) Monitoring Program Framework Monitoring Objectives Terrestrial Ecology WaterRecreationOpen Landscape Character Land UsePublic Access Monitoring Questions Natural processes and habitats? Regenerating fields and former aggregate areas? Quality and quantity of ground water? Quality and quantity of surface water? Recreational activities and opportunities? Recreational demands and carrying capacity? Open landscape character? Permitted uses and activities? Permitted land management practices? Road access and trail access? Stress on access points? Monitoring Components Cliff face, valleys, forests, wetlands Streams, ponds, groundwater Public and private parks, conservation areas Access points, walking trails Designated areas, land classes Landform, vegetation, views, land use, heritage Indicators Targets Techniques Information Management Analysis and Reporting Management Actions

Levels of Monitoring Temporal Academic research Breeding Bird Atlas Forest Bird Monitoring Program Spatial Site Habitat/Subwatershed Regional/Watershed

Levels of Monitoring Organizational Regional Agencies Lead agency - Niagara Escarpment Commission Conservation Authorities Credit Valley Conservation Halton Region Conservation Authority Regional Municipalities Region of Peel Halton Region Provincial Ministry of the Environment Ministry of Natural Resources Federal Canadian Wildlife Service Bird Studies Canada Local and Volunteer Halton - North Peel Naturalists North Peel Naturalists South Peel Naturalists

Levels of Monitoring Environmental Biological Species – indicators, species at risk Habitat or Community - suite of species Ecological Processes – biophysical measures, exchanges, interactions Socio-ecological Planning – assessing impact and policy of human system on the biophysical

Target Species-level Monitoring Plots

Species-Level Baseline Plots - Birds

Species-Level Monitoring Plots by Habitat Type - Birds

Species-Level Monitoring Plots - Frogs

Species – level Vegetation Plots

Process-Level Monitoring Plots

Impact Monitoring Plots

Forest Bird Monitoring Program Southern Ontario

Species-Level Monitoring Plots by Habitat Type - Birds

Species-Level Monitoring Plots - Frogs

Process-Level Monitoring Plots

Gap Analysis and Summary Spatial Gaps Concentration of avian plots in South-central Ontario and ‘cottage country’ Concentration of monitoring plots along Niagara Escarpment and Credit River Species Gaps Concentration on avian species Increasing recognition of importance of amphibians and vegetation Little recognition of mammals

Gap Analysis and Summary Habitat Gaps Concentration of avian plots in upland forests Poor representation of other habitats especially grasslands, savannas, and plantations Eco-Process Gaps Increasing recognition of community dynamics and health through process monitoring Integrated plot programs by Credit Valley including forest health and bird populations Cessation of bird productivity studies

Gap Analysis and Summary Planning Gaps Limited long-term monitoring programs through lead agency, Niagara Escarpment Commission Increasing integration of programs between regional agencies Delayed incorporation of results into planning policy