ABSTRACT
Southern Ontario wetland loss is associated with an accompanying decline in wildlife populations. An evaluation system for wetlands in southern Ontario developed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada is being used by the provincial government to examine remaining wetlands. Wetlands are ranked by biological, social, hydrological and special features values. By the end of 1984, 700 wetlands had been evaluated across southern Ontario; 94 wetlands were ranked provincially significant (Class 1 and 2) and 84 were regionally significant (Class 3). Ranking of wetlands will be used in guidelines for wetland management.
Characteristics of provincially significant wetlands are discussed by wetland type and physiographic site with reference to their evaluation scores. The hydrological component had considerable influence on the scores of inland swamps and marshes while it contributed little to scores for lakeshore wetlands. The special features component was very important in determining class rank. Important differences in special features subcomponent scores between swamps and marshes were observed; these subcomponents included breeding and feeding by provincially significant animals, winter cover for wildlife, waterfowl staging and fish spawning and rearing.
