winston churchill – steeles east · winston churchill – steeles east is in the peel pla in...

WINSTON CHURCHILL – STEELES EAST

Date of this Site Summary: August 2013

1

Region of Peel NAI Area #1007 Credit Valley Conservation Authority

City of Brampton Size: 6.94 hectares Watershed: Cre dit River Con 6 W, Lots 14, 15; north of

Hwy. 407 between Winston Churchill Boulevard and

Heritage Road

Ownership: 7% private, 93% public (Province of Ontario) Subwatershed: Mullett Creek

General Summary Winston Churchill – Steeles East is an urban site at the southwest edge of Brampton within the Parkway Belt West Plan area. The site is a narrow, linear strip between gently undulating agricultural tablelands and Highway 407, an Express Toll Route highway. This area is essentially a drainage ditch with sloped meadow sides and a large stormwater management pond that conveys and collects runoff from the highway, into Mullett Creek at the northeast corner. This area is highly impacted by past agricultural land use, subsequent grading and construction of the highway and ongoing highway use. It will soon be impacted by additional disturbance as the agricultural fields are converted to industrial developments. This conversion will leave the area isolated from other natural vegetation and habitat patches. An Ecological Land Classification vegetation community inventory was conducted over 94% of this area as access permission allowed. A thorough inventory of the plant species was conducted in conjunction with the ELC work (Table 1). Fauna were recorded as incidental observations. Table 1: BNAI Field Visits Date Visited Inventory Type 19 Sept. 2011 ELC Natural Feature Classifications and Planning Areas Physical Features Winston Churchill – Steeles East is in the Peel Plain physiographic region (Chapman and Putnam, 1984), characterized by a relatively flat topography which gradually slopes toward Lake Ontario. This plain contains numerous rivers and streams with deeply cut valleys. Red Queenston shale forms the bedrock at this site. Low permeability clayey silt and silt Halton Till deposits cover the bedrock here, laid down by the retreating glaciers. The soils in this area are clay loams of the Chinguacousy series. These soils are slightly stony and have imperfect drainage. A roadside ditch along the length of this site and drains into a stormwater management pond at the east end of the site. The pond has a scalloped and naturalized margin. Human History The Winston Churchill – Steeles East natural area is situated four kilometres south of Huttonville and three kilometres west of Churchville. This area received its first European settlers in the early 1820s, shortly after the land was surveyed (1818-1819). In the early 1800’s, forests were abundant, buildings were made of logs and Winston Churchill Boulevard existed as a plank road (Mair, 2009). In 1830, the population density in the area was only 10-20 people per square mile (Spelt, 1972) settlement and clearing of the original forest was slow. By 1851 the population density had grown to 40-60 people per square mile, although less than a third of the land owned by farmers had been



2

cleared and the forest still limited views across the landscape (Spelt, 1972). J.P. Hutton built a saw and turning mill in 1848 along the Credit River and founded the village of Huttonville. Hutton improved the facility in 1855 (Loverseed, 1987), supporting early settlement, land clearing and the processing of local agricultural products. A woollen mill was added later by J.O. Hutton. The forests were removed almost completely as agricultural use expanded. A photograph of the Hutton woollen mill from the late 1800’s (Hydro One Brampton, 2010) shows a landscape almost bare of trees, especially along the banks and valley wall of the Credit River. The nature of agriculture changed from subsistence farming in the 1830s to commercial farming in response to the wheat boom of the mid 1800s. The Brampton area had good soils for farming and the railroad’s arrival in 1856 provided transportation of production to distant markets, allowing this area to become an important area for agricultural production. Farming boomed and by 1881 most of the good land had been cleared and put into agricultural production (Spelt, 1972). This area was far enough from the urban centres that it remained in agricultural use until relatively recently. The building of the Highway 407 expressway within the Parkway Belt West Plan area has dramatically changed the immediate surroundings of Winston Churchill – Steeles East. Agricultural lands were acquired for the highway in the 1960s although the land remained vacant until the highway was built between 1993 and 1997. Highway 407 was opened for traffic in December 1997 in this area. It was built with landscaped embankments for aesthetic purposes, with stormwater management ponds at interchanges and lighting. The Winston Churchill – Steeles East natural area is a narrow, naturalizing roadside strip. Currently, the highway is periodically busy, but not as much as Highway 401 and the QEW, that are farther south. Agricultural lands are adjacent on the north side of this site, however they are planned for industrial development as part of Churchill Business Community. Vegetation Communities This natural area is in the Carolinian Forest Ecoregion (Lake Erie – Lake Ontario Ecoregion; 7E). The general community types present here are open aquatic (24%) and cultural meadow (76%). Two vegetation communities were mapped over the 94% of this natural area, representing two different vegetation types (Table 2). Both of the communities at Winston Churchill – Steeles East contain patches of vegetation different from the main community type, but too small to map and recognize as separate communities. Although they are small, they still contribute additional habitat diversity and are noted as inclusions. The Exotic Forb Old Field Meadow community (CUM1-c) contains inclusions of Cattail Graminoid Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM1-2) and Exotic Shrub Hedgerow (CUH1-D) vegetation types. The Turbid Open Aquatic community (OAO1-T, polygon 1121042) contains an inclusion of Cattail Graminoid Mineral Meadow Marsh (MAMM1-2) vegetation. Table 2. ELC vegetation communities surveyed

Polygon ID Size (ha) Community Type Canopy Sub-cano py Understory Ground Layer

Dominant Species at each height layer

1121042 1.69 (24.35%)

Turbid Open Aquatic (OAO1-T)



3

1121040 4.85 (69.88%)

Exotic Forb Old Field Meadow

(CUM1-c)

Teasel, Common Burdock,

Sweet Clover species

Multiple Grass species,

Creeping Thistle, Late Goldenrod,

Multiple Aster species

Tufted Vetch, Common Crown-vetch, Birds-foot Trefoil, Butter-

and-eggs

Species Presence Vascular Plants A total of 66 vascular plant species occur in Winston Churchill – Steeles East, of which 24 (36%) are native. This proportion of native species is low in comparison with many other sites in Brampton. None of the plant species here are at risk or rare. At this site there are at least five species that are planted, including both native and one non-native species. Of the non-native plant species found at Winston Churchill – Steeles East, 22 are invasive. Five of these invasive species are considered to be transformers which exclude all other species and dominate sites indefinitely, four species are highly invasive which tend to dominate only certain niches or do not spread rapidly from major concentrations, eight species are moderately invasive which can become locally dominant given certain conditions and five are minimally invasive species which do not pose an immediate threat to natural areas but compete with more desirable native species. One of the non-native species is new to the watershed (Symphotrichum subulatum, Annual Salt-marsh Aster). It was found at three locations in Brampton in the summer of 2011, growing in ditches alongside busy, heavily-salted roads. Birds A total of six bird species were observed at this site, of which five (83%) are native. None are at risk or rare. At least one waterfowl species, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) occurs at Winston Churchill – Steeles East and was using the stormwater management pond. Large numbers of birds were seen at this site, possibly using the area as a stopover point during migration. Flocks of hundreds of migrating Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were observed passing through this natural area during fall visits. Site Condition and Disturbances This site has been highly impacted by past (including historical) land use, by more recent disturbance associated with the construction of Highway 407 and by ongoing disturbance from the presence of the highway. Tree and shrub cover has been eliminated by past clearing for agriculture. Highway construction would have greatly disturbed the soils during grading for the road and landscaping and ditching to ensure efficient drainage. The creation of the stormwater management pond has served to provide some habitat diversity although this is limited due to the design of most stormwater management ponds. Non-native species dominate this site and invasive species are abundant. Several problematic, transformer-type invasive species are present, including Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) in the meadow and Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Narrow-leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia) and Common Reed (Phragmites australis) in the pond. This site receives runoff water from the highway including pollutants, salts etc. The amount of salt is high enough to favour the growth of a non-native salt marsh plant species, Annual Salt-marsh Aster (Symphotrichum subulatum).



4

There are small amounts of garbage throughout the site. Highway noise is intense and pervasive. The highway adjacent to this area is also lit all night and although the lighting may not be bright or shining directly onto the natural community, it may still disrupt wildlife activities. Some restoration plantings of several tree and shrub species have been made, including non-native species. Ecological Features and Functions This area is isolated from other natural or naturalizing areas, although the Mullett Creek valley is located to the north. Currently the narrow strip of Winston Churchill – Steeles East functions in concert with adjacent agricultural lands to provide some wildlife habitat and to allow for wildlife movement. Once industrial development occurs on the agricultural lands, this natural strip along the highway will be much more isolated. The stormwater management pond at this site may be serving as a migration stopover, as large flocks of migrating birds were observed here in early fall. Additional observations to assess the importance of this area as a migratory stopover location would be useful. One waterfowl species was also observed at this site. Recommendations 1. Enhance Water Quality Functions of Site: T he landscape at this site has been primarily designed primarily to collect and treat stormwater runoff from the highway, including salt and other pollutants. It is recommended to enhance the water quality functions of the vegetation communities at this site to minimize the potential for highway runoff to adversely affect the water quality of Mullett Creek and the Credit River. Establishing rich, diverse and natural aquatic, marsh and riparian communities at the Winston Churchill – Steeles East site will assist to retain and treat runoff before it leaves the site. This could be achieved by additional, extensive restoration plantings. 2. Invasive Species Control: This site is highly impacted by invasive species (problematic invasive species present, widespread invasive species). A detailed assessment of invasive species at this site and a control plan is recommended as a high priority, in order to limit the impact and attempt to restore the ecological integrity of this natural area. 3. Riparian Area Improvement: Planting native tree and shrub species along the ditch where riparian vegetation is lacking would improve the water quality and riparian ecosystems. Trees and shrubs provide shade that helps to maintain cooler water temperatures and prevents heating and evaporation. Native Willows (Salix spp.) and Dogwoods (Cornus spp.) are well suited because they are hardy, fast growing and have extensive fibrous root systems which are well suited to stabilize shorelines. The current ditch is straight and designed to carry water away rapidly. However, for riparian areas and marshes to more efficiently treat water, retention is preferable, followed by gradual release, also mitigating flash flooding downstream. If the ditch would be modified with baffles to slow the flow of water, creating a set of small marsh patches, additional ecological goods and services from this area might be achieved. 4. Restoration Plantings: The proportion of native species in the flora at this site is relatively low, mostly likely due to historical agricultural land use and/or the planting practices following construction of the ditch. Restoration seeding or plantings with native species in the meadow portions of the site may help to improve the ratio of native to non-native species here, thus restoring biodiversity and ecosystem stability and resilience here. Native flora species are best at supporting native fauna and ecosystem functions. Some of the existing restoration plantings here have used non-native species. Future restoration efforts should attempt to utilize only native species if possible.



5

5. Trash: The garbage found at this site should be done to improve the area ecologically and to make the area more visually appealing to the public. 6. Additional Inventory Work: Additional inventory to assess the use of Winston Churchill – Steeles East by migratory birds as large numbers have been observed incidentally here. Literature Cited Chapman, L.J. and Putnam, D.F. 1984. The Physiography of Southern Ontario . 3rd ed. Special Volume 2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Geological Survey, Toronto. Hydro One Brampton, 2010. www.hydroonebrampton.com/history.html Loverseed, Helga V. 1987. Brampton: An Illustrated History . 1st ed. Windson Publications. Mair, Nicole. 2009 Whaley’s Corners. http://heritagemississauga.com/page/Whaleys-Corners Spelt, J. 1972. Urban Development in South-Central Ontario . McClelland & Stewart Ltd., Toronto.



6

Vascular Plant Species at Winston Churchill – Steel es East

R= regionally rare

Invasive Score: 1=Transformer, 2=Highly Invasive, 3=Moderately Invasive, 4=Minimally Invasive, 5=Potentially Invasive

See "CVC Priority Invasive Plants" list for additional information about invasive score

*Planted species have been denoted with an asterisk unless additional natural specimens occur

Native Vascular Plant Species

Scientific Name Common Name

Alisma plantago-aquatica American Water-plantain

Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common Ragweed

Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed

Euthamia graminifolia Flat-top Goldentop

Juncus sp. Rush species

Lemna minor Lesser Duckweed

Parthenocissus inserta Thicket Creeper

Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass

Picea glauca* White Spruce

Pinus strobus* Eastern White Pine

Potamogeton pectinatus Sago Pondweed

Rhus hirta* Staghorn Sumac

Rubus idaeus Common Red Raspberry

Salix petiolaris Meadow Willow

Solidago altissima var. altissima Late Goldenrod

Solidago nemoralis ssp. nemoralis Gray Goldenrod

Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides White Heath Aster

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum Panicled Aster subspecies

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster

Typha latifolia Broad-leaf Cattail

Ulmus americana American Elm Vitis riparia Riverbank Grape Wolffia columbiana Columbia Watermeal Xanthium strumarium Rough Cocklebur Non-native Vascular Plant Species Scientific Name Common Name Invasive Score Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard 1 Arctium minus ssp. minus Common Burdock Centaurea sp. Knapweed species Chenopodium sp. Goosefoot species Cichorium intybus Chicory Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle 2 Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed 3 Coronilla varia Common Crown-vetch 2 Crataegus monogyna English Hawthorn 3 Crataegus sp. Hawthorn species



7

Daucus carota Queen Anne's Lace Dipsacus fullonum ssp. sylvestris Teasel 3 Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn Olive 2 Fraxinus sp. Ash species Grass spp. Multiple Grass species Hypericum perforatum Common St. John's-wort 4 Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Linaria vulgaris Butter-and-eggs 4 Lonicera tatarica Tartarian Honeysuckle 1 Lotus corniculatus Birds-foot Trefoil 3 Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife 1 Matricaria recutita German Mayweed Melilotus albus White Sweet Clover 3 Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweet Clover 3 Nepeta cataria Catnip 4 Pastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip 3 Phragmites australis Common Reed 1 Picea pungens* Blue Spruce Plantago major Common Plantain Polygonum hydropiper Marshpepper Smartweed Polygonum persicaria Lady's Thumb Potamogeton sp. Pondweed species Prunus sp.* Plum species Rhamnus cathartica Common Buckthorn 1 Rumex crispus Curly Dock Sonchus arvensis ssp. arvensis Perennial Sowthistle Symphyotrichum subulatum Annual Salt-marsh Aster Trifolium pratense Red Clover 4 Trifolium repens White Clover 4 Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved Cattail 2 Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch 3



8

Fauna Species at Winston Churchill – Steeles East Type Common Name Scientific Name

Bird American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Bird Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula

Bird European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Bird Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Bird Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Bird Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

*Designated Species at Risk and provincially rare s pecies shown in bold



9



10

winston churchill – steeles east · winston churchill – steeles east is in the peel pla in...

Documents