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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**) |
not available |
not
available |
The biodiversity index could not be calculated because analysis
of results from this section has not been completed.Nevertheless,
it is known that 31 species were present, out of the 51
species found in the River.Native plant diversity and abundance were low because artificially developed shorelines in many places limit plant growth. |
Aquatic Birds
(spring 1999**) |
1.49 |
high |
Aquatic birds are less abundant here than in rural areas because
of limited habitat and residential development. |
| Fish |
2.51 |
moderate |
Twenty
species were present, out of 30 species
native to the River. Few minnows or juvenile sport fish were
found. |
| Native Freshwater Mussels |
0.83 |
moderate |
High zebra mussel density.Four native mussel species were present in this section, of the 8
species found in the River. In 2000, all native mussels found in Mooneys Bay were dead, killed by zebra mussels. At Dickinson Bridge in Manotick, 1 of the 6 mussel species native to the River was found alive. |
| Aquatic Invertebrates |
not available |
not available |
No data are available for this section. |
| Amphibians
|
not available |
not available |
Suitable shoreline habitat has been reduced. Heavy boat traffic likely
disturbs life cycles, although the degree of disturbance is
unknown. Frog populations are not as abundant as they once were,
according to the local residents. |
| Reptiles |
not available |
not available |
The
size of some turtle populations in this section may be reduced
due to a lack of nesting and basking
sites. Red-eared sliders,
released by pet owners, were found. |
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| See a detailed
map of the Rideau River between Long Island and Hogs Back. |
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| Red-eared slider,
Trachemys scripta elegans. |
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| Leaves of fragrant white water lily,
Nymphaea odorata. |
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*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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