Terrestrial Habitat and Species

The terrestrial natural heritage system is assessed throughout the TRCA jurisdiction using a combination of remote sensing, biological inventories and the monitoring of fixed plots and sites by staff biologists and trained volunteers

Remote Sensing

Digitally ortho-rectified aerial photography is used to map the natural cover of the Toronto region. The process involves the identification of individual patches of forest, wetland, meadow and beach/bluff habitat. Combined, these habitat patches comprise regional natural cover, also known as the Terrestrial Natural Heritage System. Through the application of a Landscape Analysis Model, individual habitat patches are further assessed in order to predict their ability to support a diverse array of species. When considered in conjunction with data collected during "on the ground" biological assessment and monitoring, the results support the protection of regional biodiversity via enhancement of the Terrestrial Natural Heritage System.

Biological Inventories and Assessments

surveying plot

The Terrestrial Natural Heritage component of the Regional Monitoring Program, established in 2000, builds on data collected during the preceding 15 years under the Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA) work. Under this component staff conduct systematic inventories of habitats and species throughout the region. The data inform watershed planning and reporting, land management planning, and remedial action planning (RAP), as well as providing information to partner municipalities and other agencies. Terrestrial inventory data has been critical to the development and testing of terrestrial ecosystem modelling and the Terrestrial Natural Heritage System Strategy. Annual data analysis provides for maintenance of the regional species and vegetation communities of conservation concern rankings, which further inform conservation, recovery and site restoration planning activities.

Fixed Plot Monitoring

A series of fixed monitoring plots in forest, wetland and meadow habitats track spatial and temporal changes at the regional level. Forest plots document tree health, tree regeneration, ground vegetation, and shrubs, breeding birds and red-backed salamanders. Monitoring protocols include those of the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) and the Forest Bird Monitoring Protocol (FBMP). Wetland plots assess aquatic vegetation, breeding birds, breeding frogs and toads. The fauna component follows the Marsh Monitoring Program protocol (MMP). Additional plots implemented to monitor meadow bird communities follow a protocol modified from the FBMP for application in meadows.

Terrestrial Volunteer Monitoring

The Terrestrial Volunteer Monitoring Program has been in operation since 2002. It uses trained volunteers to survey fifty-six 10 hectare fixed sites distributed throughout the region. Volunteers collect visual and auditory observation data on the presence of a set of 50 native amphibian, mammal, bird, vascular plant and lichen indicator species. Effective 2009, they also conduct two surveys each year to establish the occurrence and extent of invasion of the sites by eight invasive exotic plant indicators. Data are analyzed by TRCA to report on the condition of the terrestrial ecosystem and major habitats of the region, document differences between urbanization zones and to monitor change over time. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to apply for this program online through the TRCA's Environmental Volunteer Network.