OTONABEE COLLEGE WETLAND NATURE AREA (OCWNA)
Introduction:
The Otonabee College Wetland NA (Fig.OCWNA-1) covers 6 ha and is located 80 to 100 m east of
the Archaeology Centre and Mackenzie House. It extends 760 m north from Pioneer Road, and is
accessible from this road as well as from fields east of Otonabee College or the Mackenzie House.
Topography and Soils:
The long narrow lowland in which this wetland is situated is bounded to the east and west by
flat to rolling uplands. A broad, gently sloping valley from the north narrows towards the wetland.
Soils belong to the Foxboro Series. These soils have a coarse texture, are stone free and have
poor to very poor drainage occur in the wettest areas.
Hydrology:
This small, isolated wetland has no apparent inflow or springs. Water inflow, is probably from
surface and subsurface drainage from surrounding uplands, particularly from the agricultural
lands. Three roughly constructed stone berms across the wetland and shallow depressions hold
back some water in small, ephemeral pools. These pools are connected by moist marsh meadow.
The outflow from the OCWNA is through a culvert beneath Pioneer Road into the Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Vegetation:
Scattered patches of shrub thicket among expanses of marsh meadow form the vegetation of the
OCWNA ((Fig. OCWNA-2). The thickets, composed primarily of shrubby willows, with slender
willow being the dominant species, occur mainly in the pools or on wetter soils. The marsh meadows
support graminoids, tall herbs and low shrubs. The uneven terrain in the marsh meadows and
consequent variations in soil moisture content, gives rise to a mixture of upland and wetland
plants such as Canada goldenrod and jewelweed, tolerant of wet and dry conditions.
Wildlife:
A variety of bird species are supported in this Nature Area, including the American goldfinch,
common yellow throat, American redstart, yellow warbler, gray catbird, common snipe,
American woodcock, swamp sparrow and song sparrow. A well used animal trail runs the entire
length of the wetland and red fox and white-tailed deer tracks have been observed. Four species
of amphibian reproduce in pools in the wetland: the northern leopard frog, American toad,
striped chorus frog and tetraploid gray treefrog.
Historical Features:
There are three roughly constructed stone berms retaining the wetland waters which appear to be
the only historical feature in the OCWNA.
Significant Features:
This Nature Area is an example of an inter-drumlin swale which provides habitat for amphibians.
Amphibian research and viewing has occurred and there is potential for further use.
Land Use:
Teaching and Research
Graduate student research on amphibian ecology has been conducted in the area.
Nature Interpretation
This is a good area to visit to listen to frogs and view displaying American woodcocks. The
University Naturalist Club has visited this area several times for these purposes.
Adjacent Land use:
This wetland is bordered to the east by hay and corn fields. Along the western edge of the southern
section of this wetland is an old field being invaded by shrubs and trees. To the north is an
un-managed grassy areas east of Otonabee College. A debris and rubble dump is located near the
north end of the wetland. Across Pioneer Road is the Wildlife Sanctuary NA.
Recreational Potential:
This Nature Area is not suitable for walking trails. However, the closeness of parking and the
paved path by MacKenzie House means that this wetland is suitable for visits by small groups
for nature interpretation, listening to frogs and observing woodcocks on spring evenings.
Ecological Integrity:
There is concern that:
• the biodiversity of this is wetland may be compromised by purple loose-strife invasion since
a few plants of this species were removed from the wetland east of Otonabee College in 1996
• soil, possibly contaminated with fertilizers and pesticides from adjacent corn fields, is being
carried by stormwater run-off into the wetland
• a University refuse dump situated on a hill close to the western edge of the wetland, if
expanded to the east, will encroach upon the wetland
• runoff from a road through or in the OCWNA has the potential to contaminate this wetland
with road salt and hydrocarbon products. Water from this wetland drains through the
Wildlife Sanctuary NA and Canal NA into the Trent Canal
Fig. OCWNA-1: Contour Map of the Otonabee College Wetland Nature Area, Symons Campus, Trent
University, Peterborough, Ontario.
Fig. OCWNA-2: Vegetation Types in the Otonabee College Wetland Nature Area, Symons Campus,
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.
Figure OCWNA-3. Vegetation Communities in the Otonabee College Wetland Nature Area, Symons
Campus, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.