As discussed in The Ecosystem Approach To Monitoring Integrity, the criterion for our system boundaries is watersheds. The Grand River Watershed (the 'Environment') is located within the 'Wider Environment' of Central Southwestern Ontario . At this level, three components comprise the organizing principle: Abiotic, Biotic and Cultural (Table 3).
Table 3: GRAND RIVER WATERSHED
ABIOTIC DESCRIPTION:
I) Airshed - Pollution sources need to be identified throughout the Grand River Watershed. Weather patterns, point and non point pollution sources that affect the airshed at this level need to be identified and monitored. The heat island effect, from the Tri-City area, needs to be addressed in order to determine whether/how the Park is impacted by it.
II) Watersheds - Water flows refer to ground water and surficial water. Ground water pollution in the Grand River Watershed could have an impact on the Huron Park Environmental Area as the water,in time, would diffuse and percolate down to this level. Fluctuating water levels in this larger watershed will have an influence on the lower hierarchical levels. If the Grand River becomes backed-up and thus causes the Strausberg Creek to back-up then the implications for the study area should be determined.
BIOTIC DESCRIPTION:
I) Wild life - The movement patterns of wild life must be determined. For example, do deer and coyote require the Grand River Watershed in addition to Strasburg Creek Sub-watershed? Again, the existence of possible exotics should be examined at this hierarchical level as they may pose a threat to lower levels.
II) Landscape - Corridors and patches need to be located and mapped. These can serve as "stepping stones" for various species and provide for wildlife movement. Natural corridors and patches increase the health of a reserve by facilitating the movement of populations, and by providing more breeding and feeding areas.
CULTURAL DESCRIPTION:
I) Human Use - If new highways or residential development are planned in the area, then increased accessibility to the Park would be a concern. Rural, suburban, urban and industrial pollution could possibly affect the study area. Impacts such as these should be identified at this geographic level.
Continue Reading - Strasburg Creek Sub-Watershed: The Wider System
An Ecological Framework for Huron Natural Area