Alfred Bog | A Biodiversity Hotspot in Prescott Russell
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- 4 days ago
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Updated: 2 days ago
Alfred Bog is a significant ecological area located in eastern Ontario, Canada. Known for its unique wetland ecosystem, it plays a crucial role in the region's biodiversity. Alfred Bog supports multiple endangered and threatened species, numerous species of special concern, and a high concentration of peatland-dependent indicator flora and fauna, making it an ecologically sensitive landscape where hydrologic or corridor disturbance poses significant regulatory and environmental risk.
Alfred Bog – Species of Conservation Concern (Flora & Fauna)
Group | Species | Status (Canada / Ontario) | Notes / Significance |
Reptile | Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) | Endangered | Wetland-dependent; legally protected; confirmed in Alfred Bog |
Tree | Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) | Endangered | Wetland forest species; severely impacted by Emerald Ash Borer |
Tree | American Elm (Ulmus americana) | Endangered | Declined due to Dutch Elm Disease |
Bird | Barn Swallow | Threatened | Aerial insectivore; declining rapidly |
Bird | Bobolink | Threatened | Grassland species; sensitive to habitat fragmentation |
Bird | Eastern Meadowlark | Threatened | Open meadow species; population collapse |
Bird | Chimney Swift | Threatened | Aerial insectivore; nesting habitat loss |
Mammal | Moose (Alces alces) | Special Concern (Ontario) | Declining in eastern/southern Ontario |
Mammal | Canada Lynx (Lynx lynx) | Special Concern (Canada) | Extremely rare in eastern Ontario |
Mammal | Southern Bog Lemming | Special Concern | Peatland specialist |
Reptile | Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) | Special Concern | Wetland and riparian species |
Bird | Canada Warbler | Special Concern | Forest/wetland edge species |
Bird | Rusty Blackbird | Special Concern | Boreal wetland breeder |
Insect (Butterfly) | Bog Elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis) | Special Concern | Bog-restricted species |
Insect (Butterfly) | Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus) | Special Concern | Wet meadow / fen dependent |
Plant (Shrub) | Dwarf Birch (Betula pumila var. glandulifera) | Special Concern (Ontario) | Peatland indicator |
Plant (Herb) | Virginia Chain Fern (Woodwardia virginica) | Special Concern (Ontario) | Wetland fern |
Plant (Herb) | Scheuchzeria (Scheuchzeria palustris) | Provincially rare | Classic bog indicator |
Plant (Herb) | Dragon’s-mouth Orchid (Arethusa bulbosa) | Provincially rare | Sensitive bog orchid |
Plant (Herb) | White-fringed Orchid (Platanthera blephariglottis) | Provincially rare | Bog and fen dependent |
Plant (Herb) | Southern Twayblade (Listera australis) | Provincially rare | Peatland orchid |
Plant (Herb) | Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum) | Regionally rare | Eastern Ontario limit |
Plant (Herb) | Spatulate-leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia) | Provincially rare | Carnivorous bog plant |
Plant (Herb) | Horned Bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta) | Provincially rare | Wetland carnivorous plant |
Plant (Herb) | Twin-scaped Bladderwort (Utricularia geminiscapa) | Provincially rare | Bog pools |
Plant (Sedge) | Atlantic Sedge (Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea) | Provincially rare | Peatland specialist |
Plant (Sedge) | Mud Sedge (Carex limosa) | Provincially rare | Open bog species |
Plant (Sedge) | Starved Sedge (Carex exilis) | Provincially rare | Fen/bog indicator |
Plant (Sedge) | Few-seeded Sedge (Carex oligosperma) | Provincially rare | Acidic peatlands |
Plant (Sedge) | Few-flowered Sedge (Carex pauciflora) | Provincially rare | Boreal relict |
Plant (Shrub) | Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) | Regionally rare | Acidic bog specialist |
Moss (Group) | Sphagnum spp. | Ecologically critical | Foundation of bog hydrology & carbon storage |
Citations & References
Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA), 2007 Species at Risk Act (SARA), Government of Canada
Cuddy, D., Mosquin, T., & Vankleek Hill Nature Society – Reptiles and Amphibians of Alfred Bog
Eckersly, 1982 – Mammal observations in Alfred Bog Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and
Forestry (OMNRF) Nature Conservancy of Canada – Alfred Bog Conservation Area
Alfred Bog is a 4,200-hectare (10,000-acre) bog located between Highways 17 (now 174) and 417 in the townships of Alfred and Caledonia in Prescott County. It is accessible from Ottawa on Highway 174 for 70 km to the village of Alfred, then heading south (turn right onto Peat Moss Rd) for an additional 5.3 km to reach the bog.
Key Features
Location: Situated in Ontario, Canada.
Habitat: Home to a variety of plant and animal species, including rare and endangered species.
Conservation: Protected as a nature reserve to preserve its ecological integrity.
Importance
Alfred Bog is essential for environmental conservation, providing ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water filtration, and flood regulation. It also offers recreational opportunities and educational experiences for visitors interested in nature and ecology. It is home to a plethora of birds, insects, and important flora, all of which have been documented by the Vankleek Hill Nature Society.
Animal Diversity Recorded in the Alfred Bog
🐦 89 bird species observed or compiled
🦌 15 Mammals observed
🦎 8 Reptiles & Amphibians listed
🐛 33 Butterflies & Moth species recorded
🐉 15 Dragonflies & Damselflies (Odonata)
Plants & Other Flora
The Alfred Bog list includes many plant groups. These are rough counts based on grouping similar categories together:
🌲 20 Trees species
🌿 49 shrub species (woody but low-growing).
🌱 113 Herbaceous Vascular Plants & Grasses / Sedges / Rushes (this large group includes ferns, grasses, sedges, rushes, lilies, orchids, wildflowers, and other non-woody plants.
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