|
Vegetation
and Flora
Results
of the Biological Inventory (1995)
This
part of the study was conducted by Anthony Goodban who visited
the area on nineteen days between May and October. Data
was also accumulated on two days in September by the Plant
Study Group of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club. Particular
attention was paid to documenting the graminoid taxa and
to augmenting previous floristic surveys of the valley.
The final report includes detailed mapping and description
of the aquatic and terrestrial vegetation communities, including
several anthropogenic community types.
Photos
taken by the Stephany Family during a stroll through
Red Hill Creek Valley.
|
A
total of 570 species (578 taxa) are listed along with their
locations and community associations. Seventy-four percent
are native species and they represent 22% of Ontarios native
flora.
Significant findings included two nationally and provincially
rare species: Slender Satin Grass (Muhlenbergia tenuiflora)
and Green Violet (Hybanthus concolor). The provincially
rare sedge, Carex artitecta, was also identified, along
with six species considered rare in the Ministry of Natural
Resources old Central Region, and fourteen additional species
classified as rare in Hamilton-Wentworth. The latter are
each known from five or fewer post-1949 sites in the Region.
 The
three provincially rare species all occur in the vicinity
of Albion Falls and Buttermilk Falls and are ranked "S2"
in Ontario by the Natural Heritage Information Centre. This
theme area also harbours several other rarities including
Chinquapin Oak, Soapberry, and Hispid Goldenrod.
Forty-nine
species with southern affinities were found in the valley,
most of which are associated with the Carolinian life zone.
Twenty-four species with northern affinities are also listed,
along with ten species associated with prairie or savannah
habitats.
|
Audio
Presentations: Red Hill Valley - No Place for a Road