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Assessing terrestrial wildlife populations in the Toronto and Region Area of Concern
Authors:Lyndsay A. Cartwright  Sue Hayes  Douglas C. Tozer  Dan Clayton  Mary-Ann Burns  Dena Lewis  Noah Gaetz  Namrata Shrestha
Affiliation:1. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, 5 Shoreham Drive, Downsview, Ontario M3N 1S4, Canada;2. Birds Canada, P.O. Box 160 (Courier: 115 Front Road), Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0, Canada
Abstract:Beneficial use impairments (BUIs) under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement identify environmental issues requiring remedial action within the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). We conducted this study to support the assessment of the wildlife component of BUI 3: degradation of fish and wildlife populations. We compared bird and amphibian (frogs and toads) data from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Terrestrial Long-term Monitoring Program in the Toronto and Region AOC to an adjacent, but otherwise similar, reference watershed, Duffins Creek. Twelve of 13 targets were met within the AOC for forest bird, wetland bird, meadow bird and amphibian populations based on averages of mean annual values at sites within the AOC that were within two standard deviations of averages at sites in the Duffins Creek reference watershed between 2008 and 2017. Even though wildlife populations within the AOC were within the normal range of variability expected from a reference watershed, they were often at lower levels than within the Duffins Creek reference watershed. In addition, forest bird and amphibian populations were negatively affected by urbanization within the AOC and meadow bird indices declined. We conclude that while wildlife populations within the AOC currently meet targets for BUI 3, they continue to be negatively impacted by numerous stressors that are primarily related to past and ongoing urbanization. Thus, continued restoration of wildlife habitat and protection of existing habitat within the AOC is highly recommended.
Keywords:Bird  Frog  Urban  Toronto and Region Area of Concern  Meadow  Forest  Wetland  Wildlife restoration targets and status
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