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The Carden Plain was accepted as a nationally
significant IBA in 1998, based on its significant populations of Endangered,
Threatened and Vulnerable species. In 2000, a Steering Committee
composed of local natrualists and landowners was established to promote the
IBA concept in the area, and to develop and implemnt a conservation action plan.
The IBA incorporates approximately 306 square kilometres, with about half
of that area in grassland and shrubland, and the other half in lakes,
wetlands, and forest. The conservation action plan focuses on five habitats
types - limestone pavement, grassland, treed grassland, shrubland, cropland
- whick support a target group of 30 bird species. Among these are 11 area
sensitive species and 11 species of special interest. Grassland birds as a
group have shown steeper, more consistent, and more widespread population
declines than any other guild of North America species. However, on Carden
Plain many grassland species remainb present in abundance.
One Carden Plain species of special concern is Loggerhead Shrike, which
has declined precipitously across eastern North America, and whose migrans
subspecies is now calssified as Endangered both in Canada and Ontario.
Approximately 9 pairs still nest within the Carden Plain IBA, and habitat
restoration efforts and intensive breeding monitoring are underway.
The Carden Plain also supports significant and globally rare alvar habitats,
and a number of nationally and provincially rare plant and invertebrate
species. It has a high diversity of species overall, with over 430 species
of vascular plants, 222 species of birds ( including migrants), and 68
species of butterflie.
The primary threats to maintaining the habitats and healthy bird populations within the IBA inlude, in order of priority:
- quarrying
- decline of cattle ranching
- hayfield management and conversion
- poor forest management
- fire suppression
- habitat loss through fragmentation
- road kills
- invasive/exotic species
- tourism
Extensive field work was carried out by the IBA Steering Committee
during the summer odf 2000, to document the distribution of habitat
types and their use by breeding birds. A total of 276 point count
at 98 grassland/shrubland sites were completed. An analysis of this
data has identified priority habitat areas, based on the
following criteria:
- recent resting of Loggerhead Shrikes or identification as
priority restoration site for this species
- high breeding density of target birds
- high breeding density of area-sensitive birds
- high breeding density of bird species of special interest
- high diversity of grassland/shrubland species present
- multipe represenration of all habitat types
The Carden Plain IBA Action
Plan is based on a vision statement adopted by the Steering Committee:
"The prupose of the Carden Plain IBA is to protect and conserve
the ecological significance of the Carden Plain for grassland and
shrubland birds, especially area-sensitive species, Loggerhead Shrikes,
and other important natural values which rely on or are a part of this
rare habitat".
The Action Plan includes the following gaols and objectives:
Goal One: Protect and restore key habitat that supports
Loggerhead Shrikes, grassland birds, and shrubland birds.
- identify and describe key habitats and restoration sites
- formulate legal, guaranteed protection for key habitats
- integrate bird conservation into planning processes
- build positive relationships with ranchers and landowners
- particiapte in Endangered Species Recovery Plans
Goal Two: maintain diversity
of breeding birds and other natural values.
- document other significant bird habitats within the Carden Plain IBA
- Incorporate information on alvars and other significant habitats and
values into the IBA Conservation Plans
- Incorporateother significant sites within the IBA into planning
processes and habitats and values into the IBA conservation projects
- encourage naturalists to report significant sightings
- ensure that bird conservation or restoration projects
support other natural values
Goal Three: maximize benefits associated with birds and with
saving bird habitats, including public enjoyment, educational
and economic benefits.
- be recognized as a public voice for local bird and habitat conservation
- seek out opportunities for partnerships with tourism operators and
marketing agencies to increase visitation by birders and their length
of stay
- demonstarte that community members can benefit economically from the IBa
- increase knowledge and awareness of Carden's natural history and ecological
value on the part of naturalists, landowners, people of Victoria County
(including schools and municipal offices), and the general public of Ontarion,
North America, and outside North America
Action steps have been identified for
each of these objectives, and significant actions have already been
taken for many of them.
Introduction
The Carden Plain is an attractive blend of unique habitats that
offer an unspoiled panorama of grassland and shrubland birds, a blaze
of wildflowers and vegetation with prairie affinities, and a wide array
of butterflies and insects, many of which are restricted to this area.
Large expanses of grassland, occasionally interspersed with shrubs and
savannah, lend a subtle, but yet distinct flavour of Africa. If you
look carefully, and are lucky, you will spot an Eastern Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus migrans). This Endangered species, along with
a large assemblage of grassland species, call the Carden Plain home
during the spring and summer months.
Situated amongest the unpopulated backroads in Carden Twonship, Carden
Plain has been a favourite haunt of birders, botanists, and
naturalists, all drawn to the area by its curious and impressive array
of habitats and wildlife. As its natural faetures were documented,
parts of Carden Plain were recognized as a globally-significant,
rare habitat: an alvar.
Recently, the Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada have
officially declared the Carden Plain as a nationally-significant
Important Bird Area (IBA) based on its large concentrations of grassland
bird species, and because it is an area which supports one of the
last known breeding populations of the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike in Ontario.
This conservation plan is a guide for the protection and management of the
bird habitats at Carden Plain. It is the result of research and consultation
with scientists, naturalists, and landowners kowledgable about Carden and
its grassland birds. The Steering Committeee members for this plan not only
share a common vision with regard to the natural heritage values and integrity
of the area, but possess the knowledge and influence to encourage protection
of this unique and significant habitat.
Much of the Carden Plain IBA is privately-owned, mostly in large sections,
and so the education and involvement of landowners in planning process is
paramount to successful conservation efforts. Conservation planning requires
the setting of goals and targets, managing resources, and working with people
to meet those targets. It requires careful monitoring of populations,
habitats, and other conditions that could affect the target populations,
and it requires using these dat to inform decision and actions in an
iterative process. It takes dedication, and a commitment to be there for
the long-term.
The approach of the IBA program invloves the following steps:
- describe conditions and context
- identify targets and goals
- identify threats to populations
- propose conservation goals and strategic actions to address these threats
- assess and prioritize strategies
- monitor populations and conditions
- implement plan
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