Restoration of the Parks Ecosystems - Research Proposal Example

? Restoration of the Park’s Ecosystems Introduction Ecological restoration involves a deliberate move that is initiated to reinstate the lost and existing components of an ecosystem. Restoration of an ecosystem may become necessary if it has been mutilated, altered or destroyed because of direct and indirect human activities or a result of other natural factors (Higgs, 2003). Wildfires, flash floods, turbulent storms and volcanic eruptions have destroyed natural habitats of organisms to the point that the natural balance in the system is no longer exist. Although the original state of an ecosystem might be impossible to achieve, restoration should focus on trying to get to that condition. It is very important to note there are several factors hampering restoration efforts to the initial level, these include current constraint and some other factors that may change the restoration path. The initial level of an ecosystem hugely affected by human activity and other factors may be difficult or impossible to determine with accuracy (Maltby, 2008). The best mechanism to build restoration efforts is by embarking on building of sufficient knowledge of the ecosystem. About the High Park This is a valuable and certainly unique environment in the city of Toronto, as it a host to numerous interactions of different organisms. Besides these organisms, millions of people visit the park every year, some come do jog, walk their dogs, play soccer, cycle and other outdoor activities and others just come to marvel at this beauty (Egan, Hjerpe and Abrams, 2011). This park certainly provides city residents and other visitors with a unique and quite location to recreate, as it centrally located, it easily accessible whether by foot, bicycle, private cars or public transport system. The total area of the park is 397.84 acres, composed of 180.387 acres of ANSI (Area of Natural scientific Interests) designated area secondly, 195.213 acres of the park is a terrestrial natural areas composed of 56.09292 acres of black oak savannah. Moreover, 79.81504 acres of woodland that includes a mix of key oak woodland and troubled woodland areas (McBride, 2010, Thomas and Grzeskowiak, 2008). Third, a total 59.3053 acres consisting of aquatic environments composed of 35.08896 acres of Grenadier pond. Fourth, the park consist of a total of 99 existing significant plant species with 4 provincially rare, 9 regionally rare and 86 locally rare plant species. Fifth, there are 250 migratory bird species and a host of 48 breeding bird species, about 6 butterflies of conservation concern, 19 species of mammals and 8 species of amphibians and reptiles. The park was established in the year 1873, it is one the heartbeat of Toronto life as it is the key to the daily lives of the residents of the city. This is the reason that makes it important to develop sufficient proposal to restore the park to its initial setting for people to use continually and the organisms to be hosted unharmed. This is because human activities in the park have lead to some organisms to be endangered and the degradation of organisms and certain locations of the park such as the ponds, the wetlands, forests and meadows, wildlife and creeks. Therefore, to restore the park for the future generations to benefit from and marvel at, it is important that restoration efforts of the park to be taken seriously and further be compliment by proper management and maintenance. This proposal aims at determining strategies and mechanisms that can be effectively applied to restore High Park’s ecosystems. Image 1: An aerial view of High Park showing massive human activities Adopted from http://www.toronto.ca/trees/HP_OakWoodland_Resotration.htm Formation of the High Park The area occupied by the park currently was composed of glaciers in the Ice Age; it owes its topography and soil to this period. Researchers insist that as warming began, the melting glaciers started to move to the north of the country, resulting in the formation of a lake, which is very large and very deep, it led to accumulation of sands and silts to the bottom of the lake, now referred to as the Iroquois sand Plain. Increasing air temperatures lead to shrinking of the lake, and the glaciers flowing into rivers across the plain in the sandy soils. These carved the gullies that identify High Park, and they formed an elaborate network of rivers, streams and ponds, and left its flat and smoothly rolling moorlands. The lush of vegetations in the area has been properly adapted to the topography, soils and the network of water bodies that are available. The moorland areas of the park exhibit well drained sandy soils, southern disclosure and dry microclimate while the ravines, which experience moist climates, led to foundation of prairie and savannah plant publics and the parks forests respectively. The current name High Park was given by John G Howard who purchased the area of 164.078 acres from Governor John Graves Simcoe in 1836; this was the highest point in the area. After his demise, the area was expanded to the borders of the current park and turned into a public recreational facility, undeveloped and in a natural state. Human dwelling were set up in the north, east and west of the High Park, in addition, rail and road corridor were constructed, environmentalists argue that these constructions disturb the natural linkages between the High Park ponds, marshes and creeks and Lake Ontario. With the increased demand for more space for recreational facility, major changes were made in the early20th century; trees were cleared to provide large spaces for playing fields and toboggans runs. Roads were constructed to improve success to the park, non-indigenous trees species were introduced the ecosystem replacing indigenous to groundcovers with turf grass. In the mid 20th century, major facilities were constructed in the area, the Grenadier Restaurant, the Hillside Gardens, swimming pool, food concessions, parking lot and access roads were widened. These constructions were carried out to increase the allure for the High Park form city residents and visitors to the city, but this is detrimental to the health and prosperity of the park. High Park’s health is threatened by the rise in population of the city; this in turn leads to increase in frequencies such as running, cycling, dog walking, photography and other recreational activities. High Park Ecosystem Studies carried out by the central government and by city authority’s show that a third of the park’s terrestrial system is containing significant rare vegetation and plant species. This interesting diversity is attributable to its location, as it is close to the Eastern Deciduous forest zone, which contains large varieties of plant species with southern prairie affinities, several species with boreal affinities, and a few species characteristics of great lake shoreline habitats. The most significant plant in the park’s sandy uplands is the black oak, the plant used to cover more than more than 24,710.54 acres consisting of tall grass prairies and savannahs in Southern Ontario. Currently the only remaining examples of these savannahs are in the High Park within the then Ontario region. The dry nutrient-deprived conditions of the park’s black oak savannah support diverse prairies such as big blue stem, Indian grass, and assorted prairie flowers that used to occur abundantly but became uncommon. High Park has a rich vegetation of various plant species including the black, white and red oak, red maple, eastern hemlock all found in the calm, moist abyss slopes, and the rare sweet flag found in the Grenadier Pond and Duck Pond, both wetlands. Apart from the lush vegetation in the park, it continues to support a wide variety of wildlife .the diversity is caused by the park’s large size, location close to wildlife corridors and varying habitats. Coyote, red fox, white-tailed deer are part of the ecosystem of the park and of the nearby animal corridors, but the most common animal in the park is the grey squirrel. Other squirrel species that have been noticed in the park include the eastern chipmunk, red squirrel, Woodchuck, groundhog, raccoons, striped skunk, other rodent species and the southern flying squirrel, though the latter was last spotted in the park in 1970s. Big brown bats and the little brown bats are commonly seen in the park, other migratory bat species have occasionally been observed this especially when their mating season begins. On various circumstances Muskrat and beaver have been cited in Grenadier Pond and the park’s other ponds and wetlands, perhaps coming in from the close by Humber marshes. These two species are active largely between nightfall and just before daylight, they may feed during the day, particularly on cloudy days. Muskrats feed mainly on aquatic plants predominantly cattails, while beavers feed on woody plant species such as willows, poplars, alder and birch. The park’s reptiles include turtles, the little brown and garter snakes, which are adaptable to, urbanized conditions. The declining quality in aquatic system has led to decrease in number of fish found in High Park’s lakes and streams. A research conducted in the mid 1970s revealed that the park’s aquatic system had approximately 17 species of fish, including game species such as northern pike, large and smallmouth bass and yellow perch occupied Grenadier Pond. However, in 1900s research conducted in the park aquatic ecosystem revealed reduction in the distribution of population of fish in the park’s major ponds. Populations of fish that fed on other aquatic life like the largemouth bass had reduced drastically, while like pumpkin seeds and blue gills populations were on the increase. Efforts to correct this imbalance have been taken by reintroduction of species that were on the decline from other sources outside High Park. In recent years, a number of butterfly species amounting to 59 such as the monarch, small skippers, hairstreaks and eastern tiger swallow tail and dragonflies such as the green and blue darner inhabit the park. At least 280 bird species have also been sighted in the park, most of which are migratory birds that feed and breed in the forested regions when migrating (Domm, 2002). . Before the shoreline of Grenadier Pond was intensely reformed in the mid 20th century, species distinctive of swamps, such as the American bittern, sora and marsh wren nested in dense aquatic vegetation. The pond continues to be an excellent spot to observe various bird species such as the herons, waterfowls, red-tailed hawk and the colorful wood duck, high daily bird counts frequently correspond with winds from the northwest, and usually occur after the arrival of a high-pressure weather front. Restoration of the Park’s Ecosystems Natural regeneration of native plant species has been greatly suppressed through various approaches such as containment of wild fires, setting up entertainment spots, and most importantly planting non-native species especially turf grass. This deficiency of the native black oaks particularly contributed to a “geriatric” forest mainly consisting of trees nearly 200 years old. During the last two hundred years, the park lost most of the native plant species for example the once abundant wild lupines, while those that persevered reduced drastically in numbers. Human alterations of the park gave way to invasion by other plant species, which aggressively inhabited most of the park’s natural areas that were once occupied by the native plants. These human disturbances and the decline in plant biodiversity led to a decrease in wildlife. Erection of railway line and surfaced passageway in 1853 separated the park from Lake Ontario, which in turn altered the natural connections between the lake with the park’s ponds, marshes and creeks. The first step taken in changes to restore is to lessen grass mowing and discontinue use of pesticides on the grass. Sample forest management schemes are set up to gauge the efficacy of various practices such as hand pulling of invasive plant species. These studies coupled with increasing public awareness inform the resolution that High Park’s terrestrial and aquatic systems were endangered and needed to be restored, it is also noted that human involvement is essential, as these systems would not reinstate themselves (Walker, 1999). Restoring Terrestrial Systems Restoration of the park requires involvement of many stakeholders including scientists, consultants, community members and other individuals (Perrow and Davy, 2002); the strategies to be implemented depend on on studies and field-testing to inaugurate the most effective approaches in managing the park. Application of Controlled Burns The decline in natural regeneration of High Park’s black oaks was as a result of many reasons mainly suppression of fires, colonization by invasive plant species such as bluegrass and fescue, and human disturbances in the form of walking paths which lead to soil compaction. The most effective strategy to restore the black oak is to introduce planned and controlled (“prescribed”) fires which affect grasses and herbs but do not damage mature fire-adapted trees. These prescribed fires can be introduced after which a yearly burn program (Lister, 2006). Fescue grass, which had previously invaded some areas of the park, is to be replaced by indigenous sedges, grassland and other shrubs like lupines and sunflowers. Burning leads to the release of seeds stored in the soil and nutrients that enhance plant growth. After a period of time, the use of prescribed fire increases diversity of native plants thus enhancing habitat for insects and other wildlife (Duryea and Dougherty, 1991). Prescribed burns however will have to vary depending on the type of vegetation available in different areas of the park. In dry areas where the black oak savannah is abundant, burning takes place for two or three successive years over a 10-year cycle while for dry oak woodlands and savannah and its mesic (moderately moist) woodlands, the frequency of burning varies and might be conducted once every 15 to 20 years. Image 2: Black oak savannah of High Park Adopted from www.toronto-wildlife.com http://toronto-wildlife.com/Trees/Beech_family/Pin_oak/trees_more_pin_oak.html Reintroduction of Lost Native Vegetation The park’s terrestrial ecosystems have been altered to a degree that it may never be possible for the all the native varieties of vegetation to grow again. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely for natural regeneration from similar adjacent vegetation to occur given the park’s isolation from analogous habitats. To overcome this, the proposal prescribes native seedling plantation program to reintroduce species indigenous to the park such as big bluestem, woodland sunflower, cylindrical blazing star, Pennsylvania sedge and New Jersey tea. The seeds are obtained from the park itself and nearby areas with similar conditions to the park then propagated in the park’s greenhouses. The seeds are planted in ways that resemble natural growth of vegetation: for example, scattering in groups, planting together species that naturally occur together, intermingling grass with flowers and shrubs A graph showing the changes in vegetation cover in the High Park between 1920 to 2000 Containing Invasive Plants Invasive plants are plant species that insistently take over areas initially naturally occupied by native species (Luken and Thieret, 1997). High Park is particularly susceptible to these invasive plants due to its urbanized location and existence of paths and roads in its natural areas. The proposal puts in place several strategies to control invasive plants. Among the strategies are: minimizing human disturbances through reduction of paths and trails, planting native species around edges of natural areas to reduce habitats for invasive plants, using only soil from the park when planting new seeds to limit importation of seeds of invasive plants. Other manual methods of control such as cutting, girdling or hand pulling have proven effective against some species. Biological methods through use of insects that feed on the invasive plants are also employed. However, the above-mentioned methods cannot be applied to all invasive species-only a few have known safe biological controls and mechanical methods have limitations – for example, woody species such as European buckthorn tend to re-sprout after cutting. The only other applicable method is therefore removal by use of chemicals, which is however discouraged by Toronto City authorities (Euler et al, 2000).  Restoring Terrestrial Wildlife Habitation Wildlife diversity is predominantly reliant on existence of appropriate habitation, wildlife and vegetation exist together with a mutually benefitting. Many flowers depend on insects for pollination, and the insects at some point in their adult life cycle will need the flower’s nectar. Just as some wildlife species’ existence depends on the availability of certain vegetation, some plants similarly survive due to the existence of certain wildlife. The restoration of High Park’s is aiding to preserve these plant/wildlife dependencies. Due to High Park’s urbanized location, size and isolation from other similar natural areas, many wildlife species may not be able to return to the park. However, mobile species such as migratory birds may exploit the restored and better habitat where they find cover in the woods and food for survival. Setting up Designated Trails Trails and footpaths found in the park are vital as they allow people to easily access different areas of the park. However, there has been an increase in the number these trails, which have which have wandered from the original trails, and present ones have broadened. These increase leads to disturbance of natural areas through soil compaction, erosion and flattening of native plant species, which allows invasive plants to prosper. Moreover, the paths cause intrusion of the parks wildlife’s natural feeding points, nests and other habitats by humans and other pets. To deal with these problems, the plan proposes establishment selected trails that uphold human uses while at the same time limits intrusion and disturbance of the natural habitat. Where surfacing of the trails has been done, caution is taken to ensure that the foreign materials do not scatter into the vegetation. Clear trail marking are also erected along the paths to keep people from wandering off. Restoring Aquatic System Apart from restoration of the park’s terrestrial system, the proposal also calls for re-establishment of the aquatic system, the plan aims to upgrade High Park’s water quality, increase diversity of the ecosystem and better the aquatic environment. Minimizing Effects of Rainwater Disturbances created by constructions of recreational facilities in and around the park have significantly changed water flow through the park. Developments of pipes that collect rainwater and drain it into creeks and ponds have replaced natural streams that drained into the lakes. A study conducted in 1995 of behalf of the City of Toronto found that drainage of rainwater into the park’s manmade creeks and ponds led to adverse fluctuations in water levels and rubbing off stream banks. According to Laws (1993), the pollutants in the rainwater mainly collected as the water runs over land, trails and parking lots were found to be the chief contaminant of the park’s water bodies. Wendigo Pond served by Wendigo Creek, acts as the sedimentation pond and eventually flows into Grenadier Pond, plants are planted on the banks to reduce soil erosion and be aesthetically attractive. Further studies conducted on Spring Creek in 1998 revealed a similar contamination of the water system by pollutants found in rainwater. However, it is usual for creeks to change their route eventually, long terms plans can be adopted to minimize adjustments and let the creek to change course naturally. Planting Vegetation on Water Edges There have been numerous alterations of the park’s natural water edges through human disturbances and substitution of the native vegetation with turf grass. Plans to naturalize the shoreline can be offset with removal of the concrete curbs and replaced with plantations that softened the edges. This greatly improves biodiversity thus creating a natural breeding habitat for such wildlife like pike, bass and other fish. Creating New Wetlands Human disturbances such as shoreline modifications and the effects of rainwater have over the years led to loss of the once rich wetlands of Grenadier Pond. Additional wetlands built in the Lower Duck Pond is full of cattails and other water plants that aid in removal of contaminants while enhancing wildlife’s natural habitat. Other facilities can be constructed in and around the park based on this model. The rainwater collected from these facilities is expected to be cleaned of 80% of contaminants before being allowed to enter the pond. Due to frequent fluctuations in water levels, to maintain a natural water level in the pond, the outflow weir at the southwest section of the pond was modified in 1996 so that it could be lowered in late summer to encourage plant growth and raised in sping to allow for natural breeding of fish. Reducing Phosphorus Levels In the mid 1990’s a research project was done to determine the high content of phosphorus in the Grenadier Pond, it was discovered that the Canada geese droppings had high phosphorus content. Such high phosphorus levels lead to high algae growth in the pond beyond the sustainable level (Best, 1999). Plan to limit the feeding of the geese on the turf grass by substituting them with shrubs should be initiated. The proposal additionally recommends that the management authority erect several signs in the park to discourage city residents and visitors from feeding waterfowls. Improving Fish Population In 1995, a study conducted on Grenadier Pond established that the fish population was unsteady due to poor aquatic system quality. Through rainwater management, the water has become clearer and bigger fish predators such as largemouth bass and pike have significantly increased maintaining a balance in the fish populations. The City increased water vegetation in the pond and softened the water edges which consequently improved aquatic habitat and cover for small fish populations. This paper proposes full implementation of the study and further careful management of the authorities’ intervention to enhance the quality of water going into the Pond. Decontamination of Grenadier Pond Grenadier Pond also had high levels of heavy metals and others such as phosphorus pollutant, the 1995 study showed that these chemicals affected the quality of sediments that were beneath the Pond. These viable options of controlling sedimentation including scouring off the sediments, application of chemicals and simulated exposure to air are however all non-cost-effective. However, methods of how to control bottom sedimentation remain unanswered. It is expected that the sedimentation predicament will eventually improve as other rainwater management strategies and naturalization of water edges are continued. The paper therefore proposes further studies to determine more cost-effective and viable options to control sedimentation in the park’s water bodies. Image 3: High Park’s Grenadier Pond Adopted from barbaramartin.blogpost.com Adopted from http://barbaramartin.blogspot.com/2008/11/grenadier-pond.html Public Awareness Community participation, especially volunteer support, plays a central role in order to achieve total restoration and overall management of High Park. The High park Community Advisory Council (HPCAC) and High Park initiatives (HPI) an affiliated non-profit charitable organization formed in 2003 to provide support in management of High Park such as advice on proper restoration and management strategies, maintenance of the parks infrastructure, responsible human and animal interactions in the park, and raising of funds to facilitate smooth management and operations. HPI recruits volunteers who participate in various activities that lead to better restoration of the park and report any safety issues to park authorities. Other restoration strategies such as the awareness programs help educate children, schools and other park-users on the need to appreciate the park’s exceptional terrestrial and aquatic system, promote activities that are beneficial to the natural environment of the park and contribute to sustenance of the for future generations (Chant, Heidenreich and Roots,1999). . Conclusion Many factors will need to be considered to achieve significant results in restoration of High Park for future generations. The impacts of human activities dating years back and continuing urban development will require time and financial resources to revert. Realization of full or near full restoration depends on factors such as availability of funds to finance the implementation of programs laid out by this proposal, ecological information and good management strategies and community participation through volunteer programs. The accomplishment of our goals will require dedication and willingness so as to uphold the vision that John Howard had in 1873, that of an exceptional and well-rounded park that cares for nature’s ecosystems while at the same time allows citizens of Toronto to benefit from the park’s unique character and values. References Best, G. A. (1999). Environmental pollution studies. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. Chant, D. A., Heidenreich, C. E., & Roots, B. I. (1999). Special places: The changing ecosystems of the Toronto region. Vancouver: UBC Press. Domm, J. (2002). The Lorimer pocketguide to Toronto birds: 120 species in full colour. Toronto: Lorimer. Duryea, M. L., & Dougherty, P. M. (1991). Forest regeneration manual. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Egan, D., Hjerpe, E. E., & Abrams, J. (2011). Human dimensions of ecological restoration: Integrating science, nature, and culture. Washington, DC: Island Press. Euler, D., Perera, A. H., Thompson, I. D., & Ontario. (2000). Ecology of a managed terrestrial landscape: Patterns and processes of forest landscapes in Ontario. Vancouver: Published by UBC Press in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Higgs, E. S. (2003). Nature by design: People, natural process, and ecological design. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Laws, E. A. (1993). Aquatic pollution: An introductory text. New York: Wiley. Lister, N. ( 2006) sustainable Large Parks: Ecological design or designer technology http://www.academia.edu/163908/Sustainable_Large_Parks_Ecological_design_or_designer_ecology Luken, J. O., & Thieret, J. W. (1997). Assessment and management of plant invasions. New York: Springer. Maltby, E. (2008). The wetlands handbook. Malden, Mass: Blackwell. McBride, J. (2010). Frommer's Toronto day by day. Mississauga, ON: John Wiley & Sons Canada. Perrow, M. R., & Davy, A. J. (2002). Handbook of ecological restoration: Volume 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Thomas, B., & Grzeskowiak, M. (2008). Toronto & Niagara colourguide. Halifax, N.S: Formac Pub. Walker, L. R. (1999). Ecosystems of disturbed ground. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Read More