Canard Pilet / Northern Pintail ( male )Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variation in genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Trends in biodiversity provide indications of the condition of the environment as all species are dependent on a healthy ecosystem and habitat for survival. Currently there exist many threats to biodiversity.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus)Pumpkinseed

Pumpkinseed, better known as sunfish, have a flat, deep body with a greenish-olive back, orange-yellow sides with reddish blotches, wavy blue streaks on the cheeks and a red spot on the gill flap. They like shallow sheltered shorelines, boat docks and bays with patches of weed and brush. Sunfish feed mostly on aquatic insects, snails, crayfish and small fish.

Largemouth Bass

The two most common turtle species in the watershed are the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta spp.). These are not currently species of concern.

Stinkpot TurtleSouth Nation Conservation are implementing a rare turtle species study in the watershed. The purpose of the study is to better understand the current distribution of rare turtles within the watershed. Turtles are good indicators of a healthy and ecologically stable ecosystem that is able to support biodiversity.The following are the five species being studied: Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), Stinkpot or Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Eastern Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera), and the Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica).

Short-eared OwlShort-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

The Short-eared Owl is one of the most cosmopolitan of our birds of prey, occurring in Eurasia, Africa and North and South America. In Canada, although the greatest densities are found on the Prairies, the species breeds in almost all regions from southern Canada to the arctic tundra.
Given the vastness - and northernness - of this owl's breeding range, it is difficult to assess population size. Locally, numbers have clearly declined in the past few decades in a number of U.S. states and in Ontario and on the Prairies. The species overwinters irregularly in southern Québec. During the breeding season, the population ranges from 100 to 250 pairs.

Eastern Grey SquirrelSquirrels

• Squirrels have been known to live up to 20 years in an urban setting and three to six years in the wild.
• Squirrels breed twice a year; from late winter to early spring and then again in mid-summer to early fall.
• Their gestation period lasts for 40-44 days and on average have a litter of two to five young.
• It is not uncommon for a mother squirrel to have several nests at once; this helps with the distribution of food for their young. Nests are normally found in the crowns of trees, high above the ground to protect the young from predators.
• Some natural predators are hawks, foxes, weasels, minks, raccoons, skunks, snakes, owls, ravens, domestic cats and dogs.
• Squirrels are active during the day and sleep at night. They do not hibernate over winter.
• The Eastern Grey Squirrel is the most common type found in the watershed. It can be identified as being black and brownish grey in colour. It has a long tail that provides the squirrel with exceptional balance.

Spotted TurtleSeveral species within the South Nation watershed have been ranked (provincially) as uncommon to extremely rare. Only 2 species, the river redhorse and spotted turtle have been ranked as special concern at the national level. The majority of species at risk within the watershed reside in wetland habitats. Many of the plant species including rhodora, prickly bog sedge, toothed umbrella sedge, walter’s barnyard grass can be found in either bogs, marshes or swamps.