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| Mudpuppy, Necturus
maculosus. |
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**) |
1.08 |
high |
30
species were found, out of the 51
species found in the River.
Native plant diversity was high between Kars and Burritts Rapids.
Native plant diversity was lower between Manotick and Kars because
of residential development.
Eurasian water milfoil was abundant in the navigation channel. |
Aquatic Birds
(spring 1999**) |
1.57 |
high |
|
| Fish |
2.94 |
high |
Twenty-seven species were found, out of 30
species native to the River.
Fish were most abundant and diverse in this section. Diversity
peaked between Kars and Burritts Rapids because of large cattail
beds, inlets and bays suitable for spawning. |
| Native Freshwater Mussels |
0.83 |
moderate |
Moderate to high zebra
mussel density.
Abundance and diversity ranged between moderate
(near Burritts Rapids) and low (near Long Island). |
| Aquatic Invertebrates |
5.70 |
high |
Preliminary results
indicate that hundreds of species of invertebrates inhabit this
section. The wetland habitat is ideal for these species. |
| Amphibians
|
not available |
not available |
Mudpuppies
were found in this section only, although they are known to
live throughout much of the River. |
| Reptiles |
not available |
not available |
Cottage and residential
development limits the availability of suitable nesting and
basking sites for turtles.
A musk turtle, a rare
species, was found in this section. |
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| See a detailed
map of the Rideau River between Burritts Rapids and Long Island. |
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| Weighing a fish. |
*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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