This appendix contains specific habitat descriptions for plant and animal (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) species that occur in Ontario and which are most likely to be affected by changes in the landscape as a result of development pressures associated with the Planning Act. Those species that are known to only occur in Hill's Site Regions 1E, 2E And 3E have been excluded from these lists since there is very little likelihood that these species would be affected by Planning Act applications. The wildlife habitat matrices are intended to provide the user with some information about the plant and animal species that are likely to occur in a particular planning area and what habitat they are most likely to be found in. In addition, the tables identify those animal species that use many of the habitat categories identified as significant. These include seasonal concentrations of wildlife, specialized habitats for wildlife, habitat for species of conservation concern and animal movement corridors.

Appendix G is comprised of five tables. They are as follows:

  • Table G-1. Habitat descriptions for native Ontario amphibians.
  • Table G-2. Habitat descriptions for native Ontario reptiles.
  • Table G-3. Habitat descriptions for native Ontario birds.
  • Table G-4. Habitat descriptions for native Ontario mammals.
  • Table G-5. Habitat descriptions for rare, vascular plants that are tracked by the Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Information Centre.

How to this appendix

This appendix provides a summary of plant and animal distributions in Ontario by Hill's Site Regions and Districts; site descriptions for plant speciesfootnote 1 and habitat/habit descriptions for animals. The plant list is arranged alphabetically by family. The animal lists are listed phylogenically (in taxonomic order).

  1. Determine what species may be in your planning area

    By noting the Site Region or Site District location, the reader can quickly ascertain what species may occur in their area of study.

  2. Consider what habitat features and therefore what species your planning area may support

    General habitat features are recorded to the far right of each table. A slight variation between the plant and animal lists occurs in this part of the matrices. Many of the habitat features are described in the text of the Technical Guide or are self-explanatory. As an example, thickets, second growth, found in the animal matrices includes fencerows, early succession growth of old fields and secondary growth as a result of a clear-cut operation or fire. A check mark under a column heading indicates that the corresponding species uses this habitat type during some part of its life.

  3. Determine each species general habitat requirements and habits

    Column two of the matrices provides a detailed description of habitat for each species. Particular habits of a species may also be described. The information provided here is limited because of space. A proponent would be expected to provide more detail on the habitat requirements and life history parameters for key species when preparing an Impact Assessment.

    The animal matrices have four additional columns on the right-hand side of the table that indicate whether a species is colonial (birds) or concentrates seasonally; is a cavity user, is area sensitive and, if the species is provincially rare.

Seasonally concentrated/colonial

Many species congregate at a specific time of the year in very specific habitat. These habitats are used repetitively and animals are often very vulnerable at this time. Bats, some amphibians and reptiles hibernate in groups; waterfowl and many bird species migrate in large numbers during the spring and fall; deer concentrate in wintering yards; many bird species nest in colonies. Survival of these species depends on the continued availability of these areas.

Cavity user

Many species rely on cavities in trees, crevices in rocks and slopes and holes in the ground to nest, roost or hibernate. Many species use the same cavity year after year (traditional use). The loss of traditional sites can be detrimental to many species.

Area sensitive

Some species require large areas of suitable habitat for long term population survival. Fragmentation of essential habitats can result in overall declines in populations.

Provincial rarity

Staff from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) use a provincial ranking system to set protection priorities for rare species and natural communities. These rankings have been included in the first column for each of the tables in this appendix. Not recorded in these lists are those species that are not believed to be a native component of Ontario's flora or fauna (ranking code SE).

A species that is ranked as an S1, S2 or S3 is considered provincially rare.

Definitions of provincial ranking codes used by NHIC

S1 Extremely rare
In Ontario; usually 5 or fewer occurrences in the province or very few remaining individuals; often especially vulnerable to extirpation.
S2 Very rare
In Ontario; usually between 5 and 20 occurrences in the province or with many individuals in fewer occurrences; often susceptible to extirpation.
S3 Rare to uncommon
In Ontario; usually between 20 and 100 occurrences in the province; may have fewer occurrences, but with a large number of individuals in some populations; may be susceptible to large-scale disturbances.
S4 Common
Apparently secure in Ontario; usually with more than 100 occurrences in the province.
S5 Very Common
Demonstrably secure in Ontario.

In some cases NHIC goes one step further for birds by including a suffix to the ranking to indicate whether species is ranked according to its breeding (B) or non-breeding (N) status in Ontario.

S#? Uncertain
(e.g. S1?) in Ontario. These species are thought to be rare in Ontario, but is insufficient information available to assign a more accurate rank.
SU Unranked
SH Historically
Known from Ontario, but has not been recorded in the last 20 years. It is believed that suitable habitat is thought to still be present in the province. There is some expectation that a species with this ranking may be rediscovered in the province.
SR Reported
For Ontario with less than convincing documentation to either accept or reject the report.
SX
The species is apparently extirpated from Ontario with little chance of rediscovery. These species have not been seen for many decades even though searches of historic locations have been done.

Species recorded as Vulnerable, Threatened or Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) or the Committee of the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) or Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) are marked accordingly with a V, T or E in small, capital letters after the scientific name of the species followed in parentheses by the designating authority. A note also is included when a species is protected by provincial legislation.

Table G-1: Habitat descriptions for native Ontario amphibians

Table G-2: Habitat descriptions for native Ontario reptiles

Notes:

  • The Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina, and Slider, Trachemys scripta are not believed to be native components of Ontario’s fauna and are therefore not included in this list.
  • Yes* denotes that a species may or may not exhibit (1) a certain behaviour; or, (2) a particular habitat preference.

Table G-3: Habitat descriptions for native Ontario birds

Table G-4: Habitat descriptions for native Ontario mammals

The following species are not listed in this table by virtue of their more northern geographic range:

  • Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas
  • Arctic Fox, Alpoex lagopus
  • Polar Bear, Ursus maritimusV(COSEWIC)
  • Wolverine, Gulo guloV(COSEWIC)
  • Walrus, Odobenus rosmarus
  • Ringed Seal, Phoca hispida
  • Bearded Seal, Erignathus barbatus
  • European Hare, Lepus europaeus, is not listed, as it is not believed to be a native component of Ontario's fauna

Table G-5. Habitat descriptions for rare vascular plants that are tracked by the Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC).

Source: Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Information Centre: List of Ontario Rare Vascular Plants (Revised March 1997)

Footnotes