Optimizing Ecohydrological Protocols to Enhance Calcareous Wetland Rehabilitation in Abandoned Quarries - Dr. J.M. Waddington &
Dr. B. Branfireun

MacMaster University and the University of Toronto hope to expand their collective expertise in peatland and wetland research in abadoned mining sites by joining the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) and its partners in a wetland creation exercise at the Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve in Puslinch Township, Wellington County. The Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve is a 197 ha natural area in Puslinch Township owned by the HCA. A large portion of the property is designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland, as well as an Environmentally-Sensitive Area in Wellington County. It contains a number of rare and unusual botanical species and serves an important role as a headwater source protection area. The HCA has designated this area as an Ecological Preserve. Within the Ecological Preserve is a calcareous fen where many of the rare plant species area located. Calcareous fens are peatlands that are rich in calcium and magnesium from groundwater discharging surrounding calcareous till and fractured limestone and dolomite and bedrock. Like the rare cliff and alvar communities associated with the Niagara Escarpment, calcareous fen habitats have highly restricted ranges in southern Ontario and fen habitat has been considerably reduced in extent. The research will attempt to establish protocols for the aggregate industry to determine what sites are suitable for calcareous fen rehabilitation and to determine what human intervention is needed to enhance and accelerate the rehabilitation of calcareous fens. The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation will support the completion of the wetland feature and two years of scientific research and monitoring.

Aerial view of the Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve prior to wetland construction.