Appendix 4: Site Description
Habitat Changes in the Port Weller West Study Area
Data
1-Photographic Data
See photographs below taken in 1993 and 2013 by John E. Black and in 2013 by Kayo J. Roy.
2-Description of the Port Weller Study area in 2007
In the process of writing the article for Niagara Birds on Port Weller Tim Seburn carried out an inventory of the vegetation in 2007. His description is below:
A dirt road 7 meters in width runs the length of the pier. A Canadian Coast Guard Station is located at about the midway point of this pier. The count area extended 700 meters north from the coast guard station to the end of the pier. The west side of Port Weller contains two passageways, a dirt roadway 7 meters from the canal and a mowed strip 12 meters in width which converges with the roadway as one nears the tip.
Along the westernmost natural area an uneven canopy of aging 40 foot tall poplar trees, punctuated by cedar and spruce trees, has been established as a result of plantings over 75 years ago. Pioneering white ash, black cherry, red maple, and staghorn sumac trees, draped at times with Virginia creeper, European bittersweet or grapevines, now well-camouflage the original order. Various honeysuckles, silky and red-osier dogwoods, presumably introduced by droppings, have produced a vigorous shrub layer, at the base of which downy arrow-wood is surprisingly common. Similar species are present in the 9 meter wide central natural area, although the understory is not as tall or dense. (Tim Seburne 2007)
Changes since 1993-1997
Comments JEB
One of the biggest changes since 1993-1997 is the addition of a path some 5 to 10 meters wide on the west side of the pier north of the Coast Guard Station. Larry Trudell tells me work on the path started in 1997 and was completed 15 years ago. For some years only scrub and poison ivy were removed and the trail was leveled. For the most part only low level brush was cleared but a few evergreens were cleared at the midway point. In July 2013 twelve large trees fell and were cleared away! The path is not visible from the study area but birds on it are certainly audible.
A second change is the loss of about 30 meters of grassland at the northern tip west of the conifers. This area is now overgrown with sumac and other shrubs and tall grasses. It was the location where a Lincoln’s Sparrow was observed in 1994. This is also a place where White-throated, White-crowned and Chipping Sparrows were observed.
A third change is the arrival of Deer Ticks on Port Weller West (K Stoltz found one embedded in her leg) and Dog Ticks (especially on Port Weller East).
Comments Tim Seburn
So here are some changes I noticed in comparing the 1993 habitat at Port Weller to the habitat in 2013:
In the 1993 photos there are hydro poles and wires visible, providing places for high-level perching in open areas. The hydro line appeared in the central corridor at point 1 then turned East, emerging into the canal-side trail near the clearing at the Northern tip. This suggests the central trail was created when the hydro line was originally constructed.
In the 1993 photos leaf-out had not begun, whereas in the 2013 photos leaf-out was well underway, with Serviceberry (Amelanchierarborea) in full bloom. I’m not sure how many days Spring has advanced on average in Niagara since 1993, but the impact of climate change at Port Weller would be mitigated by the surface water temperature in Lake Ontario. Do the Coast Guard or DFO maintain a data set on this? If not, I believe NOAA has data for a station on the American side of Lake Ontario.
1993 photos show areas of brambles, either rose, or more likely raspberries, replaced by a much denser shrub layer 2013 and the shrubbery along the canal is certainly denser now in 2013. In addition to the shrub layer being denser it is also higher in the 2013 photos, and it also appears there are more vines, mostly poison ivy and Virginia creeper, hanging from the trees. One scientific study suggested vines may do better under climate warming conditions.
In one 2013 photo, garlic mustard is in bloom. Although it is likely garlic mustard was present at Port Weller in 1993 but simply not emerged, it is also possible this species has proliferated.
These are the only comments I have on the photos. In terms of improving record keeping of habitat changes I do have some suggestions.
In addition to trying to mimic the 1993 location try also duplicating the focal length of the camera lens being used. The 1993 photos were made with a wider lens. Also, once the GPS waypoints to be used each year have been established, it might be good to take a photo in each compass heading. A botanical inventory every 5 years or so may help with documenting habitat changes as well.
John E. Black Photos
Figure A4.1 May 6, 1993 Just south Coast Guard Station looking south-west
Figure A4.2 May 10, 2013 Look south-west from just south of Coast Guard Station
Figure A4.3 May 6, 1993 Look north on road at first opening
Figure A4.4 May 10, 2013 Look north on road at start of count area just south of first opening
Figure A4.5 May 6, 1993 Look north at first opening
Figure A4.6 May 10, 2013 Look north from first opening
Figure A4.7 May 6, 1993 Look south at first opening
Figure A4.8 May 10, 2013 Look south at first opening
Figure A4.9 April 18, 1993 Look north near end of central trail
Figure A4.10 May 10, 2013 Look north from opening #9
Figure A4.11 May 10, 2013 Look north near end of central trail
Figure A4.12 April 18, 1993 Look west near end of central trail
Figure A4.13 May 27,2013 Look west near north end
Figure A4.14 May 7, 1993 Look north from just south of weather station
Figure A4.15 May 10, 2013 Look north at north end
Figure A4.16 April 18, 1993 Look south near end of central trail
Figure A4.17 May 27, 2013 Look south by three conifers
Kayo J. Roy Photos
Figure AA4.1 May 10, 2013 Look north at south end
Figure AA4.2 May 1, 2013 Look north inside first opening
Figure AA4.3 May 16, 2013 Look south inside first opening
Figure AA4.3a May 10, 2013 Look south inside first opening
Figure AA4.4 May 4, 2013 Look north south of tip wood
Figure AA4.4a May 4, 2013 Look south from north of tip wood
Figure AA4.5 May 16, 2013 Look north near tip and cormorants
Figure AA4.6 May 1, 2013 Look south down the middle trail from main road
Figure AA4.7 May 4, 2013 Look south from south of the middle trail
Figure AA4.7a May 16, 2103 Look south down main road near middle trail start
Figure AA4.8 May 16, 2013 Look west toward middle trail at one of the large openings on main road
Figure AA4.9 May1, 2013 Look south not far from start of main road
Figure AA4.10 May 4, 2013 Look north from coast guard station to start of trail