WETLAND COMPLEX NATURE AREA (WCNA)
Introduction:
The Wetland Complex NA,( Figure WCNA-1), covers an area of 12 ha. It begins just north of the
Environmental Science Building parking lot (Lot Q) and extends north for approximately 1 km. This
area is accessible from the Rail Trail or parking lot Q. A hydro corridor through the central section
bisects this Nature Area.
Topography and Soils:
This wetland complex occupies a long narrow depression in a relatively flat, lowland plain. The
eastern edge is bordered by upland composed of small hills and a large drumlin, the west slope
of which is very steep. This slope, and the eastern slope of the Lady Eaton Drumlin, were probably
once the banks of a glacial spillway channel. The soils in the WCNA belong to the Otonabee
Series, having a medium texture, are moderately stony and good to excessively drained and to
the Foxboro Series. These latter soils have a coarse texture, are stone free and have poor to very
poor drainage.
Hydrology:
This wetland occupies what appears to be the natural drainage course between the pond in the
Ninth Line NA and the Otonabee River. The major water source appears to be a steady flow of
water via partially-buried pipe from a spring at the wetland’s northeastern edge. Other springs
may be present elsewhere in the complex and field drains may exit into the wetland. Drainage
from the pipe flows south through areas of mixedwood swamp, thicket swamp, marsh meadow
and shallow marsh. Shallow water can remain year-round in the thicket swamp. Surface water is
temporal in some parts of the treed swamps, shallow marsh and marsh meadow. Ditches running
parallel to the Rail Trail drain water from the wetland into the Otonabee River.
Vegetation:
The wetland vegetation consists of a mix of open, wooded and shrubby communities (Figure WCNA2). White Cedar is the dominant cover in both treed swamps. Areas of shallow marsh are vegetated by
patches of cattails sedges, grasses and low shrubs. Shrubby willows dominate a thicket swamp.
Wildlife:
White-tailed deer appear to frequently use the coniferous swamp and marsh meadow. Numerous
sets of tracks and scats were noted in the swamp, and several bedding sites were apparent in the
tall vegetation of the marsh meadow. A well-worn animal trail crosses the cedar swamp and continues
into the marsh meadow.
The shrubby willows in the thicket swamp support a rich and varied community of nesting songbirds.
Amphibians reproduce in several pools in the wetland, but are particularly abundant in the thicket
swamp because of the permanent water. Muskrat activity has been noted in the shallow marsh
in the vicinity of the hydro corridor. Evidence of red fox, porcupine and other smaller mammals
was observed in the mixed forest.
Historical Features:
The WCNA is bordered on the west side by the old rail line – now used as a recreational trail.
Some fencerows and some old farm equipment are left from abandoned agricultural fields.
Significant Features:
The thicket swamp contains one of the largest bodies of permanent water found in any of the
Trent Nature Areas. Year-round water is essential to some types of aquatic organisms. The cool,
moist conditions of the cedar swamp provide habitat for colonies of ferns and small patches of
Sphagnum spp., an uncommon genus in the municipality. The mixed forest on the drumlin contains
several very large deciduous and coniferous trees. The wooded drumlin slope is of geological
interest, and contributes to hydrological processes affecting the wetland.
Land Use:
The WCNA is used for teaching and research. It is also used when nature walks are taken along
the Rail Trail. A hydro transmission corridor crosses another part of the wetland. One of the towers
carries a radio communications disk and an associated building.
The white cedar swamp and adjoining wooded uplands were selectively logged, for cedar trees
in particular as piles of cedar posts, slash and cedar stumps in various stages of decay may be
found in the southern swamp.
Wooded areas were used as depositories for some farm and household refuse. There is an old
metal tank in the mixed wood swamp. The conifer swamp harbours a disused can and bottle
dump, as well as scattered pails and sheet metal.
Adjacent Land Use:
Portions of the wetland adjoin agricultural fields, leased from Trent University for farming.
Hay is harvested from drier portions of one of these fields. Cattle are pastured in another field
through which the wetland has been channelized. The Rail Trail, an old field, and immature
woodlands bound the western side of the WCNA.
Recreational Potential
Due to its wetness, this area has low recreational potential. Parts of the wetland are visible from
the Rail Trail, providing walkers the opportunity to view and listen to wildlife, such as birds and
the calls of frogs. An informal trail on the east side of the WCNA should be upgraded.
Ecological Integrity
There is concern that:
• impacts on the hydrologic regime will have detrimental effects on the vegetation and animal
communities.
• European buckthorn constitutes a major component of the shrub layer in the conifer and
mixed swamps and that this species will continue to increase in abundance and shade out
indigenous species.
• there is potential for damage to the vegetation and soils that may be caused if Hydro One
workers cross the shallow marsh in the hydro corridor with heavy equipment.
• the wet soils and delicate flora of the conifer swamp may be detrimentally affected by heavy
foot traffic.
• because the origin of the spring providing water to the wetland is unclear that construction
activities could affect the water regime of this wetland..
Figure WCNA-1: Contour Map of the Wetland Complex Nature Area, Symons Campus, Trent
University, Peterborough, Ontario.
Figure WCNA-2: Vegetation Types in the Wetland Complex Nature Area, Symons Campus, Trent
University, Peterborough, Ontario.
Figure WCNA-3. Vegetation Communities in the Wetland Complex Nature Area, Symons Campus,
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.