Biodiversity and Genetic Importance of the Carolinian Forest
The area of Ontario from Toronto to Windsor – known as the Carolinian ecoregion – is one of the most biologically diverse areas in Canada. There are at least 70 tree species native to this area, approximately half of all known tree species in Canada. Many of these trees are not found elsewhere in Canada, and some occupy only a small segment of this region as their native range. Much of the ground surface in this region has been converted to either urban or agricultural land use and is thus unavailable as forest habitat. Land in the Carolinian ecoregion is also extensively privately owned, which partly limits the ability of the province or a municipality to influence the choice of tree types for planting. Cities could decide, however, to provide space for native species in municipally owned park space. Ensuring that seeds of trees are gathered and germinated to produce saplings for introduction into their local environment is a key consideration for conserving biodiversity, since trees grown from locally obtained seeds should be better adapted to local climate and soil conditions. MNR operates the Ontario Tree Seed Plant in Angus, Ontario. It supplies Ontario-origin seed in large quantities to nurseries and reforestation programs and helps to ensure that seeds for some native species are available. Nevertheless, many seed collection and tree-planting programs are also undertaken in various locales on a municipally operated or volunteer basis.
In summary, developed urban areas occupy as much as one-fifth of the land area of the Carolinian ecoregion. Consequently, the parks, green spaces and even private treed lands of urban southern Ontario, though small in size, could make an important contribution to preserving the native species of Carolinian Canada.
Threatened, Endangered Tree Species of the Carolinian Ecoregion of Ontario
- Cucumber Tree
- Kentucky Coffee-tree
- Red Mulberry
- American Chestnut
- Shumard Oak
- Dwarf Hackberry
- Hop Tree
- Blue Ash
Native Trees Tolerant of Urban Environments
- Black Maple
- Hackberry
- Kentucky Coffee-tree
| This is an article from the 2004/05 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2005. "Sustaining the Urban Forest." Planning our Landscape, ECO Annual Report, 2004-05. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 204.
