FOREST
Forests cover more than 75% of the Appalachian corridor. Numerous flora and wildlife species, many of them at risk, depend entirely on forest cover.
For example, more than 90% of North America’s threatened bird species depend on forest habitat (American Forest Foundation, 2006) and 12 % of threatened or vulnerable plant species in Quebec find refuge here.
Forests provide other indirect benefits. They play a key role in maintaining water quality and containing carbon dioxide, a real issue in times of climate change.
Appalachian Corridor believes that forest conservation must take into account not only the ecological context, but the social and economic implications as well.
Fragile wetlands
Wetlands top the list of aquatic ecosystems to protect since they play an important role in maintaining water quality and biodiversity.
These wetlands are essential elements of watershed.
Wetlands
are:
natural filters
that improve water quality by retaining sediments and nutritive elements
natural barriers
that regulate water levels and diminish the risk of flooding
feeding and reproduction sites
for numerous species of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
places for
outdoor activities
like hunting, fishing, hiking or birdwatching
The threat to wetlands situated on private lands is extensive. Given that the real estate market is expanding and that rural areas are becoming more and more attractive to city dwellers looking for second homes, real estate development is a major threat to wetlands.
Appalachian Corridor believes that protecting wetlands is a collaborative effort not only with landowners, but with municipalities. The latter can contribute directly to the preservation of wetlands by collaborating with local conservation organisations.
Forest cover on the lower slopes of the Appalachians is dominated by Sugar Maple, White Ash, Basswood, American Beech, Red Maple, Yellow Birch, Black Cherry, Ironwood and Butternut. Hemlock and White Pine are present only locally.
At altitudes over 400 meters, several species are no longer found, and only the maples, Yellow Birch and American Beech persist. These species, mostly deciduous hardwoods, are replaced at about 700 meters by White Birch and Balsam Fir. Over 800 meters, the forest assumes a more boreal character and becomes dominated by Balsam Fir and Red Spruce.
WIDE-RANGING MAMMALS
Appalachian Corridor’s territory of action is a very suitable habitat for Wide-Ranging Mammals. These species need large unfragmented forest blocks linked together by natural corridors in order to roam and complete their life cycle (including breeding and feeding activities, seeking refuge, etc).
SPECIES |
VITAL AREA |
|---|---|
| FISHER | 600 to 4000 ha |
| BOBCAT | 5000 ha |
| COUGAR | 4000 to 9000 ha |
| MOOSE | 6000 to 10000 ha |
| BLACK BEAR | 6000 to more than 10000 ha |
INTERIOR FOREST BIRDS
Owing to its vast areas of unfragmented forest blocks, our region plays a key role in maintaining viable populations of interior forest birds such as the Pileated Woodpecker, American Redstart, Eurasian Wren, Barred Owl and several birds of prey.
Some of the plant species typical of the Appalachians and found on our territory of action include
- Acuminate Aster
- Narrow-leaved Athyrium
- Red Trillium
- Painted Trillium
- Hobblebush
- Canada Columbine
- Hay-scented Fern
- Braun’s Holly Fern
- American White Hellebore
- Robbin’s Ragwort
- Coolwort
- White Snakeroot
- Marsh Pennywort
- Northern White Violet
- Round-leaved Violet
The Appalachian region is also known for its abundance of reptiles and amphibians. There are about twenty species in the region, including several listed as species at risk in Canada or Quebec, such as the Wood Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Four-toed Salamander and two species of lungless salamanders associated with pristine mountain streams, i.e. the Spring Salamander and Northern Dusky Salamander.
The region is also know for its outcroppings of serpentine, an uncommon plant on a Worldwide scale. These rare outcroppings can reveal the presence of Rand’s Goldenrod and Green Mountain Maidenhair Fern, two species susceptible to be designated as Threatened or Vulnerable in Quebec.
Date and time
of the sighting
Location
(GPS COORDINATES IF POSSIBLE)
SPECIES
(IF POSSIBLE)
SIZE
(especially for turtles)
If you can, please attached a picture
TO REPORT A TURTLE:
This Website of Nature Conservancy Canada
collects turtles sightings across Québec.
