CRR2SMA FOD8-1 CRR2 CRR2SMA SAM1-4 DERRY ROAD WEST SWD4-1 Manicured OLD DERRY ROAD CREDIT RIVER FOD4-2 SECOND LINE WEST SMA -9 SWD3-4 FOD2-4 MV12 NATURAL AREAS SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION N A R E A S S Y S T E M NATURAL AREAS VEGETATION COMMUNITIES 0 30 60 90 120 2018 NATURAL AREAS UPDATE SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS metres SITE LINKAGES
City of Mississauga Natural Areas Survey (2015) Natural Areas Fact Sheet NATURAL AREA NAME AREA (HA) 77.09 UTM GRID REFERENCE 6020 48312 1. LOCATION North along the Credit River from Derry Road West to the northern City limits. MV18, and MV19 are located within 500 m to the southwest, and west respectively. The Credit River links a number of natural areas, including CRR3, CRR6, and CRR8. 2. CLASSIFICATION Significant Natural Area 3. DESCRIPTION A. Physical Features The topography of this site varies from undulating floodplain and tableland to steep valley walls. Along the western bank the valley wall is approximately 6 m high with slopes between 15 and 25 percent. Soil at this site is imperfectly drained Chinguacousy clay loam, which has developed within the Halton till plain. Some siltation of the river is occurring due to bank erosion. B. Biota There are 3346floral species and 88 faunal species documented at this site. is composed of eleven vegetation communities, which include: dry-fresh sugar maple deciduous forest type (), freshmoist willow lowland deciduous forest type (), dry-fresh white ash deciduous forest type (FOD4-2), fresh-moist poplar deciduous forest type (FOD8-1), willow mineral deciduous swamp type (SWD4-1), forb mineral meadow marsh type (), pondweed mixed shallow aquatic type (SAM1-4), coniferous plantation (), dry-moist old field meadow type (), open aquatic (), and manicured open space (see accompanying figure). Dry-Fresh Sugar Maple Deciduous Forest Type () The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum ssp. saccharum) forest occurs along the slope leading to Mullet Creek. The canopy is dominated by Sugar Maple, Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), White Pine (Pinus strobus) and White Ash (Fraxinus americana). This layer is >25 m in height and covers > 60%. The sub-canopy is dominated by sugar maple, white ash, Basswood (Tilia americana), and Bur Oak. This layer is between 10-25 m in height and covers 10-25%. The understory consists of European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta). This layer is between 1-2 m in height and covers 10-25%. The ground layer (0.2-0.5 m, > 60% cover) is dominated by Zig-zag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis), False Solomon s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum spp. racemosum), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), yellow avens (Geum aleppicum) and Enchanter s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana). Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) is present in this community.
B. Biota continued Fresh-Moist Willow Lowland Deciduous Forest Type () The willow lowland forest is dominated by willow (Salix alba, S. fragilis, S. x rubens), Green Ash (F. pennsylvanica), American Elm (Ulmus americana), Balsam Poplar (P. balsamifera), Eastern Cottonwood (P. deltoides ssp. monilifera), Red Maple (A. rubrum) and Black Maple (A. saccharum ssp. nigra). The canopy is between 10-25 m in height and covers > 60%. The sub-canopy is dominated by willow, Manitoba Maple, Green Ash and American Elm. This layer is between 2-10 in height and covers 25-60%. The understory consists of European Buckthorn, Manitoba Maple, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), and Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia). This layer is 1-2 m in height and covers > 60%. The ground layer is dominated by Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), Pale Jewelweed (I. pallida), Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) and Spotted Water-hemlock (Cicuta maculata). Policeman s Helmet (Impatiens glandulifera) is dominant in some locations. The ground layer is 0.5-1 m in height and covers > 60%. Standing water is present through the spring, drying by midsummer. Dry-Fresh White Ash Deciduous Forest Type (FOD4-2) The white ash forest is in an early stage of succession. The canopy is dominated by White Ash, American Elm, Bur Oak and Sugar Maple. The canopy is approximately 15 m in height and covers > 60%. The sub-canopy consists of White Ash, Sugar Maple, American Elm and Bur Oak and is 2-10 m in height and covers 10-25%. The understory is dominated by European Buckthorn, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Grey Dogwood (Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and lilac (Syringa vulgaris). This layer is 1-2 m in height and covers 25-60%. The ground layer is dominated by Garlic Mustard, Dame s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), avens (Geum spp.) and Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca). This layer is between 0.2-0.5 m in height and covers 25-60% Fresh-Moist Poplar Deciduous Forest Type (FOD8-1) The poplar forest is in an early stage of succession. The canopy is dominated by Trembling Aspen (P. tremuloides), Balsam Poplar, Manitoba Maple, Green Ash and Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). The canopy is between 10-25 m in height and covers approximately 70%. The sub-canopy consists of Trembling Aspen, Manitoba Maple, Balsam Poplar and Green Ash. This layer is between 2-10 m and covers 1-10%. The understory is dominated by European Buckthorn, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Riverbank Grape and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta). This layer is between 1-2 m in height and covers 10-25%. The ground layer is dominated by White Avens (G. canadense), Bittersweet Nightshade, Garlic Mustard and Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa). This layer is 0.5-1 m and covers 25-60%. Willow Mineral Deciduous Swamp Type (SWD4-1) The willow swamp is dominated by White Willow (Salix alba), Hybrid Crack Willow (S. x rubens), Balsam Poplar, Eastern Cottonwood (P. deltoides) and Trembling Aspen. The canopy layer is > 25 m in height and covers > 60%. The sub-canopy is dominated by willow (Salix spp.), Manitoba Maple, Balsam Poplar, and Trembling Aspen. This layer is between 10-25 m in height and covers 10-25%. The understory consists of Manitoba Maple, Virginia Creeper, Riverbank Grape, Tartarian Honeysuckle and European Buckthorn. This layer is between 2-10 m in height and covers 10-25%. The ground layer consists of Spotted Jewelweed, Pale Jewelweed, Spotted Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum ssp. maculatum), Great Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), and sedges (Carex spp.). Some areas are dominated by Policemen s Helmet, Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) and Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). The ground layer is between 0.5-1 m in height and covers 25-60%.
B. Biota continued... Forb Mineral Meadow Marsh Type () The forb mineral meadow marsh is dominated by Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Giant Manna Grass (Glyceria maxima), Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), Elecampagne (Inula helenium), Cow Parsnip, Wild Parsnip, Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), jewelweed (I. capensis, pallida and glanulifera), and Spotted Joe-pye Weed. Several clumps of the sedge, Carex lacustris, are present. This vegetation community is between 1-2 in height and covers >60%. Pondweed Mixed Shallow Aquatic Type (SAM1-4) The pondweed mixed shallow aquatic community is comprised of Lesser Duckweed (Lemna minor), Water Smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) and Common Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica). This community is located in shallow water and vegetation covers between 25-60%. Coniferous Plantation () The canopy of the cultural plantation consists of White Pine (Pinus strobus), Manitoba Maple, Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila), and Sugar Maple (A. saccharum ssp. saccharum). This layer is between 10-25 m in height and covers > 60%. The sub-canopy is dominated by Manitoba Maple, Siberian Elm, Sugar Maple and Green Ash. This layer is between 2-10 m in height and covers 1-10%. The understory consists of Manitoba Maple, European Buckthorn, Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) and Tartarian Honeysuckle. This layer is between 1-2 m and covers 10-25%. The ground layer is dominated by Garlic Mustard, with Yellow Avens, Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) and Virginia Creeper. This layer is 0.5-1 m in height and covers 25-60%. Dry-Moist Old Field Meadow Type () The cultural meadow is dominated by Bittersweet Nightshade, Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum ssp. fullonum), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) and Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata). Scattered Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) occur throughout this community. Vegetation is between 1-2 m and covers > 60%. Open Aquatic () The open aquatic community refers to the Credit River; this community contains no vegetation. The manicured community is located along the east bank of the Credit River, northwest of Meadowvale Village. There are picnic areas, gravel trails, parking and play grounds present in this area. provides habitat for urban-tolerant, forest-dependent and wetland specialist bird species, including area-sensitive and ground-nesting birds including: hawks (Coopers Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk), woodpeckers (Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker), flycatchers (Eastern Wood-pewee, Willow Flycatcher, and Great Crested Flycatcher), and sparrows (Chipping, Field, Song Sparrows), and warblers (Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and American Redstart). There are 65 bird, 11 mammal, 5 amphibian and 3 reptile species documented for this site. A resident white-tailed deer herd occurs in the Credit River valley, including. The Credit River is an important waterway for migrating Coho salmon, and Chinook salmon. The Credit River is classified as a type 1 fishery within this site.
4. CONDITION This site is currently in fair-poor condition. Disturbances include an extensive formal and unplanned trail system, garbage, erosion, siltation, and vehicle and airplane noise. Invasive plant species at this site include Garlic Mustard, Purple Loosestrife, European Buckthorn, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Policemen s Helmet and Norway Maple (A. platanoides). 126 introduced species are present at this site (representing 36.42% of the total number of species present). The native FQI is 56.58, a high value, and the native mean coefficient is a medium value of 3.81. The FQI has increased from a value of 55.97 and the native mean coefficient has decreased from a value of 3.83. The surrounding land use is primarily residential with agricultural lands to the south of Derry Road. 5. SIGNIFICANCE This site is designated as an Environmentally Significant Area (Credit River at Meadowvale). The ANSI status for this site was removed in 1998. This site was designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland (Churchville-Norval Wetland Complex) in 2009. 1 plant species at risk within the province (COSSARO) and nationally (COSEWIC): Butternut (Juglans cinerea). Four butternuts infected with the Butternut canker and several dead butternut were located during the butternut survey conducted in 2011, but only one of those Butternut were re-located in 2015, as well as one new Butternut record for the site. 2 fauna species at risk within the province (COSSARO) and nationally (COSEWIC): Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) (historical record) 5 plant species considered rare within the City (known from 3 or fewer locations): Tall Bur-marigold (Bidens vulgata), Marsh Seedbox (Ludwigia palustris), Woodland Satin Grass, Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), and Mad Dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). 12 plant species considered uncommon within the City (known from 4 to 10 locations). 74 Credit Valley Conservation flora Species of Conservation Concern (Tier 1-3). 49 Credit Valley Conservation fauna Species of Conservation Concern (Tier 1-3), including 35 bird, 7 mammal, 5 amphibian and 2 reptile species. High FQI. Large size (77.09 ha). Diversity of plant species (346 species). Fish migration corridor. Close proximity to natural areas MV18, and MV19. This site is part of the Credit River system which comprises the main natural corridor in the City, stretching from Lake Ontario to the northern boundary of the City and beyond. Floodplain provides floodwater storage for the Credit River. High diversity of vegetation communities (11 communities). 6. MANAGEMENT NEEDS Invasive species are prevalent; an invasive species management plan should be prepared to address the removal of invasive species. Many ad hoc trails are present within and should be closed to prevent further degradation of the natural area. 7. PRINCIPLE REFERENCES City of Mississauga (1978) Dougan and Associates (1995c) Dougan and Associates (1995e) North-South (2001) Project Planning Limited (1993) Stantec Consulting Ltd. (2004) Totten Sims Hubicki and ESG International (2002)