Ottawa River WatershedThe Ottawa River is home to many different ecosystems, each playing an important role in sustaining Canada’s biodiversity. More than 300 species of bird have been inventoried along the river. Of these, about half are migratory species that use the Ottawa River region as one of the continent’s most important migratory halts. Along the river, 33 species of reptiles and amphibians, 53 species of mammals, and 85 species of fish can also be observed. Among these, several are rare or at risk.

Rideau River swans. Source: TerrikoThe Rideau River watershed is home to a wide variety of species. The conservation areas, fish and bird sanctuaries and protected areas in the watershed are important habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and fish.

The wildlife in the watershed is a vital part of the ecosystems where we live. The diversity of wildlife in a watershed is an indicator of the health of the watershed. The preservation of wildlife habitat is important for maintaining diversity, healthy levels of water quality, and an environment that the communities of the Rideau watershed can enjoy.To learn more about wildlife in your watershed chose from the wildlife menu.

Eastern ChipmunkThe watershed has many natural heritage features including several locally and provincially significant wetlands, rare species and species at risk, other significant natural features such as wild rice, a migratory bird sanctuary and Areas of Scientific and Natural Interest (ANSIs), and Parks, Conservation Reserves and Crown land.

The wildlife in the Mississippi watershed can be summarised into two areas:

• aquatic communities particularly fish (streams and lakes), and
• terrestrial communities, particularly vegetation communities (forests, grasslands, wetlands)

The Mississippi River system is home to a wide diversity of mammal, reptile and amphibian, insect and bird species. In many cases the life-cycles of these species are directly related to the river and the corresponding land-water interface. One example of this important linkage would be the numerous wetland areas found along the river and the shores of some lakes.

Cerf de Virginie / White-tailed deerThe diverse physical geography of the Lievre watershed  (plain, plateau lakes, rivers) provides natural habitats for a large range of wildlife species.

However, changes to the natural environment, such as the draining of wetlands, construction of roads and homes, removing shoreline vegetation and waves, causes erosion and increase water temperatures. These impacts are especially negative when they occur during fish spawning periods, and may directly affect the survival of certain populations of fish. Which in turn may affect the survival of certain species of birds that nest or live near water bodies and even small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Human changes to the environment can threaten the biodiversity of ecosystems.

Adapted from "Pour la qualité de l'eau du bassin versant de la Lièvre: PORTRAIT>", published by the Comité du bassin versant de la rivière du Lièvre (COBALI) (the Lièvre Watershed Authority), 2005.

Least bittern / Petit BlongiosThe Gatineau River watershed is an ideal habitat for several species of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. There are approximately 472 species, including 82 fish species, 18 amphibians, 14 reptiles, 308 birds and 50 mammals.