Southern Ontario: Canada?s Heartland including the cities of Ottawa, Toronto, all the way to WIndsor?.But if we look beyond the massive buildings, millions of people, and tons of concrete and asphalt we ask ourselves: what was here before? That one question summarizes the truths of blinded urban development. The people in Southern Ontario region do not know what was there before them?because it cannot be seen. The wildlife of the diverse and rich ecozone which once flourished in the region has long since left, leaving behind a forest of metal, concrete, and asphalt. So, let us look behind one of Canada?s most endangered ecozone: The Mixwood Plains.

The Mixwood Plains are the smallest of all of Canada?s ecozones. However, they carry more than half of the country?s population. This makes it the most densely populated ecozone and region in Canada. But what was to be found in the Mixwood Plains before people? Well, the Mixwood Plains get their name from the fact that they were one of the very few places in Canada where there was a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. Both types of trees thrived in the region because of its climate. The region experiences only cool winters dipping down to only about -5 degrees Celsius while the summers are a warm 17 degrees Celsius.

The region also borders 3 of the Great Lakes and includes the St. Lawrence River. Ancient glacier deposits make the soil in the region very fertile and rich. This soil was made use of by the early settlers but is almost forgotten now due to the pollution and urbanization in the region. The waterways and lakes that are truly unique to the region attempt to remain magnificent despite the pollution and garbage dumped in them. And the most concerning, the unique mix of coniferous trees which once dominated the region has disappeared?replaced by roads, houses, and offices. So, given that the human urbanization has been very damaging to the local ecosystem of the mixwood plains, what are the solutions? How do we humans meet our housing needs and also not damage the ecosystem? The answers to this are explored in May! 

The pictures below show what the natural state of the Mixwood plains looks like. This is one of the few places where the forests are protected.

The other pic shows what exists in most parts of the mixwood plains. 

Photo Courtesy:

www.parkwardens.com

mixedwoodecozone.weebly.com