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BOTANY
Conservation
FOREST RESTORATION - restoration and monitoring of a new forest on the Toronto Zoo site.
Over the last ten years, efforts have been made to join parts of the Zoo property to the Rouge Valley forest. There have been twenty tree planting projects, in which over 13,000 trees have been planted to accomplish this goal. Organizations such as Youth Assisting Youth, T.R.E.E.S., Korean Community, and Pears House Community Conservation Centre have volunteered to do the planting. Last summer staff compiled the first complete inventory of trees on the 19 sites. This inventory included an identification of trees and assessment of tree growth, determination of species and site specificity, and total tree count of the areas. Data obtained over the nine-year period, from a survey of volunteer-planted trees, has been passed on to the University of Guelph for analysis. Information will be compiled to determine the specific planting stock characteristics that maximize survival.
CANADA GOOSE - Habitat Modification Master Plan.
The main reasons for considering modification of the landscape on the Zoo site are concerns about the Canada geese with respect to defecation and aggression. A Habitat Modification Master Plan resulting from observations of Canada geese during the summers of 1998 and 1999 has been followed during the two subsequent years. The study recommends that vegetation be planted adjacent to waterways as a deterrent to Canada geese who will find it difficult to access the site from these areas. Habitat modification and spring egg oiling will continue to be the primary methods used to deter geese on-site, and to diversify the natural flora and fauna.
HABITAT CREATION - Gray Tree Frog Habitat
The Horticulture Branch is co-operating with the Curator of amphibians to establish a suitable gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) habitat on site. The basic habitat was created by land-forming an area to retain water for breeding purposes. Horticulture staff has sourced appropriate native land and water plants to re-vegetate the site. Volunteer planting groups and "Bush Campers" were enlisted to assist. Additional graphics at the site will explain techniques used to create the gray tree frog habitat resulting in a valuable educational experience. By selection of appropriate flora for areas in and around the fabricated habitat, it is anticipated that gray tree frog populations will find all the environmental requirements for successful breeding.
NATURAL RESTORATION
Work is being done on the Zoo site to restore three natural habitats: the Butterfly Meadows, the Waterway Wetlands and Wetland Habitats. The restoration includes addition of plants to the Butterfly Meadows to attract new species, as well as an increased number of resident species. Identification of various flora and fauna is being conducted as part of a survey to identify the health of wildlife at these sites. Surveys are performed on dragonflies and damselflies at this site, as well as identification of the birds that use this site. A report is continuously updated for use in monitoring any changes in these wetlands. Recently, the exhibit design for the Butterfly Meadows was re-evaluated, and improvements are to be implemented in 2003.
SITE RESTORATION
Creation of, and renovations to, gardens, animal exhibits and picnic areas are ongoing projects for the Horticulture staff. Projects include landscaping the new play area, creation of a Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden adjacent to the Americas Pavilion, and biogeographic landscaping of the new zoomobile stations.
PLANT RECORD SYSTEM
For several years, efforts have been made to create a computerized plant record system using BIOCON. Currently the plant collection is being inventoried and accessioned. Site identification codes have been assigned to the planting beds in the pavilions, and will soon be assigned to outside beds.
GARDEN DEVELOPMENTS - Rose and Chinese Gardens
Inspired by the Peace Rose, the new rose garden was designed by Anni Oliver of the York Rose & Garden Society, and planted by Horticulture staff. This project represents the first collaborative effort between the Zoo and a local horticultural society. The first stage of the Zoo's Chinese Garden was planted adjacent to the Eurasia Zoomobile Station, and officially opened during a ceremony with delegates from China. Several species of bamboo will be grown and researched to investigate hardiness, nutritional value and impact on the surrounding environment.
INTERNATIONAL SEED EXCHANGE
Each year, since 1992, the Toronto Zoo's Index Seminum is sent to Zoological and Botanical Gardens around the world. Seeds from native species are collected in southern Ontario and exchanged with species from other countries, thereby increasing the diversity of the Zoo's plant collection. |
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CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
