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| Canada Geese (Branta
canadensis) are often seen in downtown Ottawa! |
The results of research conducted during the Project
have allowed the calculation of a biodiversity
index, for aquatic plants and certain animals. The biodiversity
index reflects both diversity and abundance.
Each species category measures its biodiversity index
on its own scale. In order to facilitate interpretation and comparison
with other species categories, we have attributed a level (high, moderate,
low) to the value calculated.
Aquatic
Plants
(1999**) |
0.66 |
moderate |
38
species were present, out of the 51
species found in the River.
All 5 species of exotic aquatic plants found in the River were
present in this section.
Aquatic plants are particularly diverse and abundant near Bank
Street and between Bank Street and Brewer Park. |
Aquatic
Birds
(spring 1999**) |
1.20 |
moderate |
Waterfowl are less abundant here because suitable habitat is
limited, compared to the wetlands upstream. Ducks, geese and
Mute Swans can be seen
swimming and feeding along the shore. |
| Fish |
2.48 |
moderate |
Twenty-three
species were present, out of the 30
native species found in the River.
Brewer Park is a high-quality breeding area. Rock bass is the most abundant fish species. |
| Native
Freshwater Mussels |
0.60 |
moderate |
High
zebra mussel density. Very few native
mussels remain. Two of the six species of native mussels found
in the Sandy Hill section were found alive. Three of the five
species of native mussels found in the Billings Bridge section
were found alive. |
| Aquatic
Invertebrates |
5.46 |
high |
Preliminary results indicate that hundreds of species of invertebrates
inhabit this section, where the shallow, flowing water is ideal
for them. |
| Amphibians
|
not
available |
not
available |
Northern leopard frogs seem rare. Residential development of
shorelines has reduced habitat needed for summer foraging. Toads,
however, seem to do well and use adjacent lawns and gardens
in residential areas. |
| Reptiles |
not available |
not available |
Volunteers have compensated for the reduction in basking
sites sites for turtles by adding artificial ones. Red-eared
sliders, released by pet owners, were found in this section. |
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| See a detailed
map of the Rideau River between Hogs Back and the Rideau Falls. |
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| Yellow pond lily, Nuphar
variegata. |
*Use of the Biodiversity Index
value to compare the different sections of the
River is appropriate within a single species category.
**Results from 1999 were selected
because it is not appropriate to combine the results of the three years
of research (1998 to 2000). |
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