Newsletter of the Adopt-A-PondWetland Conservation Programme,Sponsored by Banrock StationWetlands Foundation Canadawww.torontozoo.com/adoptapond

In this IssueBanrock Station…….1-2Habitat Restoration..2-3Lily Pads & Cattails…...4Ribbet’s Review………4Ranavirus…………….…5Call’um of the Wild..5-6Ephemeral Wetlands...7Word Search…………..8

Banrock Station: Wetlands and Wine By: Tony Sharley, Manager, Banrock Station Wetlands Centre

Editor’s Note: It’s not everyday that you come across acompany like Banrock Station that is committed tosustainable environmental practices and environmentalprotection. In Canada, Banrock Station WetlandsFoundation Canada was formedto administer funds raisedthrough the sale of BanrockStation wine. Through thefoundation, Banrock Station hasbeen able to support severalconservation initiatives including:the Wild Bird Trust of BritishColumbia, the Whooping CraneConservation Fund in Alberta,Ducks Unlimited in the Maritimesand the Royal Ontario Museum.This year the Adopt-A-PondProgramme is very pleased toannounce the sponsorship of ourprogramme by Banrock StationWetlands Foundation Canada.We look forward to a prosperousrelationship to conserve wetlands and wetland speciesin Ontario.

In November 2002, a 10 year program to restore thewetlands at BanrockStation was recognised bythe world’s peak wetlandconservation body, theRamsar Bureau, whichlisted the Banrock StationWetland Complex as aWetland of InternationalImportance. This was the63rd wetland listed from

Australia and it becomes one of 1022 wetlandsworldwide to achieve this status.

The listing has capped off an amazing decade forour company with BanrockStation Wines also winningthe Ramsar and Evian Prizein 2002 for InternationalWetland Conservation inrecognition of ourcommitment to restoring ourown wetlands and helpingto restore a further 33wetlands in 9 countries. Theaward also recognised oursustainable irrigationprograms in our vineyards,and our commitment topublic education aboutwetlands on our interpretive

boardwalk trail. The prize money of US$10,000 hasbeen matched by our company and committedto a project to help protect Lake Nakuru in Kenya.

We began our commitment to restoring wetlandsin 1993 when we purchased Banrock Station onthe Murray River in South Australia. The Station is1800 hectares (4450 acres) and more than halfthe area is wetland. At that time the wetlandswere badly affected by salt, introduced animalsand permanent inundation. We were contactedby Ducks Unlimited Australia (now Wetland CareAustralia) and we agreed to take on the

Vol. 13 No.1 ISSN 1705-8228 Spring 2003

Continued on Page 2

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Discovery of the breeding site, in 2000

important wetland restoration work that they hadstarted with the previous owners.

In just 10 years we have seen significantimprovements in wildlife habitat and water qualityin the wetland. The reintroduction of a dryingphase in the wetland has helped to control theintroduced European Carp. The reduction in thecarp population has increased our aquatic plantdiversity and reduced water turbidity, and thereintroduction of spring floods has helped totrigger breeding cycles in animals and restorenative vegetation on the floodplain. The removalof stock and rabbits has helped to increase plantcover and the success of revegetation programs.

Our 250 hectare vineyard was planted in 1994/95using innovative techniques to produce highestquality fruit and to prevent drainage and salinityimpacts on the wetlands. It has just beenaccredited with the International Standard forenvironmental management ISO 14001. Dripperirrigation, soil moisture monitoring and carefultiming of irrigation to ensure “right amount ofwater at the right time” are fundamental. As ourvines came into production in 1996, we launchedBanrock Station Wines and decided to sponsorwetland conservation projects based on a smalldonation per bottle sold in Australia. Then in 1998we commenced development of the BanrockStation Wine and Wetland Centre to showcasethe wines, vineyards and wetlands to the public.

Our commitment to wetland restoration atBanrock Station has been carried out inpartnership with numerous groups includingWetland Care Australia, Greening Australia,Conservation Volunteers Australia, several primaryand secondary schools, State andCommonwealth Government agencies,consulting groups and voluntary professionalgroups.

Wetland restoration has helped to bring thewildlife back, which has enabled us to developnature trails. There are several thousand birds onthe wetlands and more than 160 bird species onBanrock Station today. The boardwalk walkingtrails provide wine consumers with a uniqueexperience that helps us to market our wines.Since the Wine and Wetland Centre opened inFebruary 1999 visitor numbers have grown from40,000 to 90,000 per year, largely as a result of the

spectacular views of the wetlands and theopportunity to explore them along the walkingtrails before or after a glass of wine. Today ourwines are sold in more than 40 countries and in2002, we received visitors to the Wine andWetland Centre from more than 30 countries.

We have supported wetland restoration projectsin the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark,USA, Canada, The United Kingdom, New Zealandand Kenya, and we are currently looking for moreprojects to support. Since 1996, our worldwidecontribution to wetland conservation hasexceeded AUD $1.5 million. For those whobelieve we can only do this because we canafford to � we believe that we can’t afford notto. Our future depends on a healthy environment.

Gray Treefrog HabitatRestoration Project

By: Sarah Ingwersen

On the southwestern border of the Toronto Zoosite, a tableland Gray treefrog breeding pondwas discovered in 2000. High levels ofprecipitation and poor drainage caused thisopen, disturbed site to flood temporarily and beopportunistically colonized by Gray treefrogs.Treefrogs were found in all stages ofdevelopment, from tadpole to newly emergedfroglet. Unfortunately, only a few were able tocomplete metamorphosis before the pond driedout in early August.

Many of thewetlands used byamphibians in theGreater TorontoArea (GTA) havebeen destroyed.Relict populations ofGray treefrogs (Hyla

versicolor) remain in areas characterized byponds fringed with shrubs or willow and nearbywoodlots for overwintering. Uncommon in theGTA, this species requires natural corridors formovement between aquatic breeding habitatsand woodlands during the spring and summer.

The Rouge Valley is a stronghold for this species,as it is one of the only places in the GTA where

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prime breeding habitat for the Gray treefrog stillexists. However, critical breeding habitat on theRouge tablelands has been significantly alteredand Gray treefrog populations have declined ordisappeared completely in many locations.Rouge groups have been active in restoring manywetlands in the area.

Historically a Gray treefrog breeding site, theToronto Zoo contains remnant treefrogpopulations and remnant tableland breedinghabitats. Gray treefrog populations have beenmonitored for over 30 years to determine criticalbreeding habitat locations at the Toronto Zoo.Treefrogs appear to be breeding in temporarypools, marshes and animal holding/exhibit pondson the site.

The site hydrology, and its location directlyadjacent to the Rouge Valley, made it ideal forrestoration as breeding habitat. Restoringsurrounding habitat would also serve as amigration corridor between Rouge valleylandsand tablelands.

Early in 2001, funding was received from the ShellEnvironment Fund to restore this habitat and plansfor the restoration site were finalized. Due todrought conditions in 2001, the site where theGray treefrog tadpoles were found in the previousyear was completely dried and thereforecontained no tadpoles. This lack of waterfacilitated excavation with no impact on aquaticlife. The site was excavated in July 2001 andsurrounding berms were formed.

A group of volunteers from Friends of the RougeWatershed helped to plant 245 plants on the sitein August 2001 and 200 additional plants inSeptember 2001. In 2002, the model for the signwas commissioned and work began on thesignage.

In 2002, the site was holding water and the pondhad a variety of life-forms including Americantoad tadpoles, aquatic invertebrates, Northern

Brown snakes, ducks, Red-winged blackbirds andWhite-tailed deer between May and July 2002.Due to extreme drought conditions the ponddried in July, 2002.

The sign was erected and the site was added tothe Zoomobile tour dialogue to communicate tozoo visitors/zoomobile riders of the importance ofthis site.

In April, 2003 we placed a “Froglogger” (arecording device) at the site to monitoramphibian arrivals through their calls. We areextremely happy to report that on May 17 GrayTreefrogs announced their arrival to this site! GrayTreefrog tadpoles were sighted on June 16, 2003.

The Gray Treefrog Habitat Restoration Projectbrings awareness and understanding to theimportance of wetlands and amphibians in thelandscape, especially the urban landscape.

Editor’s Note:Adopt-A-Pond thanks the Shell Environment Fund fortheir generous funding of this project.

Gray Treefrog tadpole and froglet at the site in 2000

The site in April 2002

A Gray treefrog, like the ones heard calling on May 17,2003 perches on a birch tree

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Lily Pads & Cattails2003 Spring Toad Festival:

A “Toad”al Success

By: Jessica Steiner

May 3rd and 4th marked the Toronto Zoo’s 5th

annual Spring Toad Festival, hosted by Adopt-A-Pond and Zoo Volunteers. The 2-day event wasa great success, with hundreds of visitors joiningthe activities at the American Wetlands exhibitto help celebrate the arrival of spring andwitness the beginning of the American Toad’sbreeding season.

Festival-goers were greeted at the wetlandarea by a symphony of male calls, thanks to thewarming temperature of days leading up to theevent. Leopard frogs also joined in the chorus.

Visitors were welcomed to the festivities by“Toad”, a giant American Toad, and wereamazed by the a magician with a bag full oftricks. There were origami toads to make, andfrog calls to learn. Children became official“Toad Detectives” after learning to use radiotelemetry equipment to track down a hiddentoad model. Families learned how they couldparticipate in Frogwatch-Ontario by helping tomonitor frogs from their own backyards, and ournew Turtle Tally Programme.

With the help of zoo volunteers, participantswere exposed to the large variety of wildlife thatinhabits this unique habitat: red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons, leopard frogs,dragonfly nymphs, water boatmen, and manymore! Thanks to the zoo volunteers and visitorsfor making this year’s festival such a success!

Ribbet’s ReviewBy Phung Tran

Salamander Rain: A Lake & Pond Journal

Written and Illustrated by Kristin Joy Pratt-SerafiniDawn Publications, 2000

What kinds of things can you find in a lake or apond? A “Planet Scout” named Klint has writtena few journal entries about the things he hasseen and experienced on his Wetland Patrol atSpider Lake where his Grandma lives. Whoknew there was so much activity in and arounda pond! Salamander Rain, A Lake & PondJournal is a great book colourfully illustrated forages 6 to 12.

Follow Klint’s adventures and learn about whatthe first warm rain of the year brings. Find outwhat the frogs, the great blue heron and thefairy shrimp are up to. Discover the differentkinds of plants, snakes, birds, fish and turtles thatcan be found in and around ponds and aboutthe busy beavers! Klint is also a Planet Scout andtells everyone about it in Salamander Rain!

Praised by the Center for EnvironmentalEducation and the National Wildlife Federation,Salamander Rain: A Lake & Pond Journal, showschildren the diversity found in wetland areasand how they can explore and be involved inwetlands. A fun read for educators, students,parents and children alike!

The giant Toad welcomes visitors to the 2003 Spring Toad Festival

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Catastrophic die-offs ofamphibian tadpoles and

young metamorphsBy: Michael Berrill, Biology Department

Trent University

During each summer of the past several years,we have come across a few instances ofunexpected and catastrophic die-offs of latestage tadpoles or young metamorphs. In eachcase, a large portion of the affected populationdied. During the past several months, we haveestablished that these populations were heavilyinfected by a virus known as Ranavirus.

Ranavirus infects amphibians and fish, butdoesn’t infect birds or mammals, and poses norisk to human health. However, its impact onamphibian populations can be quite drastic. Wehave found it in two populations of wood frogsand one population of leopard frogs, andsuspect that it was the cause of a die-off ofbullfrog tadpoles in another population. Theseare the first records of the virus in Ontario. Theonly record in Canada involved somesalamander populations in Saskatchewan.

We need to find out how widespread Ranavirusinfections are in Ontario, for we need to knowwhether the infections are spreading or arerelatively rare and localized. If they arespreading, we hope to understand how theyspread, and how we may be able to containthem.

In order for us to be able to do this, we needinformation on any tadpole or juvenile frog killsthat we can obtain. We hope that you will beable to help us. If you notice any unusual deathof tadpoles or young juveniles, of any species ofamphibian, please contact us. If we can visit thesite, we will, for we need to obtain samples fromanimals before they are dead from the infectionin order to test for the presence of the virus.

You can reach us in several ways:E-mail: mberrill@trentu.caPhone: 705-748-1011 ext 1455, ask for Michael,Dave or Amy, or leave a message for us tocontact you. Website: http://www.trentu.ca/biology/tadpoles/welcome.htm.

This is an interactive site where you can includeinformation on your observations.

Call ‘um of the WildHealthy Wetlands Devour Mosquitos

By: Steven Racey

There has been much discussion in the presslately about the West Nile Virus with mostpredicting a bad year for mosquito populations.

A recent article in a local paper showed anangered woman with a wetland in thebackground indicating that the swamp behindher property was the source of all her mosquitoproblems. I’m continuously amazed at howmuch ignorance still exists when it comes to theimportance of wetlands in our communities andcountryside.

While the number one reason for protecting ourwetlands remains a source of clean drinkingwater, they also provide flood control, habitat forwildlife and recreation. Contrary to popular

The Bullfrog, Wood Frog and Leopard Frog, three species thathave been affected by Ranavirus in Ontario

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belief, a healthy wetland will also do an amazingjob at keeping mosquitoes under control.

Many people may think that draining thewetland in their area will help control themosquito population. This is because mosquitoesrequire standing water in which to breed. If thereis no standing water there are no mosquitoes. Infact, mosquitoes have a very short life cycletypically between four days and a month buttheir eggs can remain dormant for more than ayear and will hatch when flooded with water.Therefore even after a wetland has been drainedit will still hold enough water to breed mosquitoes.

The answer tomosquito

population controlcan be achievedwith the balance ofnature. A healthywetland providesthe habitat for

many unique animals including natural enemiesof mosquitoes. These natural predators keep thepopulation low. Certain birds, tadpoles, frogs,toads, turtles, fish and insects live in thesewetlands and feed on mosquito larvae and/oradults. The following insects are the naturalenemies of mosquitoes: Dragonflies, Damselflies,Water Strays, Backswimmers, and PredaciousDiving Beetles. These animals and insects need aproper habitat, in other words a healthy wetland,to survive and you won’t find them in the typicalareas where the common Northern HouseMosquito (Culex species) thrive.

Only seven of the 57 species found in SouthernOntario are potential carriers of the West NileVirus. The carrier, the Culex species is an urbanmosquito, which breeds primarily in small areas ofopen water, cans, containers, pots, birdbaths,pool covers, rain gutters, rain barrels, anddiscarded tires. The Northern House Mosquitodoes not breed in wetlands; therefore spraying ordraining wetlands would be ineffective in thecontrol of the West Nile Virus.

Bats, while traditionally having a bad reputationrising from fear of half-truths, myths, and legends,can eat up to 500 mosquitoes an hour on asummer night. A typical Little Brown Bat (MyotisLucifugus) consumes half its body weight in

insects during a single evening! Species of batsthat occur in Ontario pose no risk to humans andare an important part of a wetland ecosystem.

Restoring a wetland decreases mosquitopopulations in two ways: by providing properhabitat for the natural enemies of mosquitoes,and by preventing or reducing flooding (in areasthat aren’t normally wet and thus supportmosquitoes and not their predators). A recentU.S. mosquito control project in Essex County,Massachusetts, restored a 1,500 acre wetlandand the mosquito population dropped by 90percent. The experts there now know thatwetland restoration is synonymous with genuinemosquito control.

If you manage or own drained wetlands you canexpect blooms of mosquitoes after every rainand if you are tired of donating blood, considerrestoring or creating a healthy wetland. Withindays, natural predators of mosquitoes will beginto return. Not only will you be reducing themosquito population, you’ll also be creating anexcellent wildlife habitat, reducing the likelihoodof flooding on adjacent ground and improvingground water quality.

The best control of the spread of the West NileVirus is public education and taking responsibilityfor ourselves. Mosquitoes have been around formillions of years and draining wetlands will notmake them go away. Using pesticides, such asthe larvacide, Methoprene, can have many sideeffects on aquatic animals such as deaths anddeformities in amphibians, crustaceans and fish.This is because most insecticides are broadspectrum in their killing power. Overheadspraying is even worse, bringing with it possibleside effects that are as lethal and dangerous asthe symptoms of the West Nile Virus. Althoughpesticides sometimes produce short term results,their long term use often results in a pest that isresilient to the chemical with all the naturalpredators long since eliminated.

In closing I am constantly reminded: “Humansaren’t the only species on earth, we just act likeit.”

Editor’s Note: For other West Nile Virusperspectives and updates visit the Adopt-A-PondWebsite www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond

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An Ephemeral Wetland in southern Ontario

Ephemeral Wetlands: More than just spring ponds

By Richard E. Grosshans,Ducks Unlimited Canada

Ephemeral wetlands (also referred to asephemeral ponds, seasonal ponds, temporaryponds or vernal pools) are depressions or low-lying areas in the landscape that temporarilyhold water in the spring, early summer and afterheavy rains. Ephemeral wetlands are often hardto define because they are typically small,isolated and temporary, periodically drying up inmid to late summer.

For the hundreds of thousands of ducks arrivingon the breeding grounds of Canada duringearly spring, an ephemeral or temporarywetland is an important habitat after a longjourney north. Because of their size, thesewetlands are ice-free long before the largermore permanent wetlands and warm up quickly,attracting loafing, feeding, and nestingwaterfowl. During the spring, these ponds fillfrom snowmelt and spring runoff, and can holdanywhere from 10 to 60 cm of water. Theseponds provide valuable breeding habitat foramphibians such as frogs and salamanders, andaquatic invertebrates like snails, water fleas andshrimp. The abundance of these invertebratesprovides an important protein rich food sourcefor the arriving migratory waterfowl, emphasizingthe importance of these ephemeral wetlands.

By mid-summer, however, these ponds begin todry up and by fall there is little trace of the onceproductive wetlands. Since these wetlandsperiodically dry up and are isolated without apermanent inlet or outlet (often overflowing intimes of high water), they are free of fish. Thisallows for successful breeding of amphibiansand invertebrates. The dry phase also completesthe life cycle for many invertebrates whose eggsrequire a dry period to hatch in the spring.

From 1997-2000 Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)evaluated four study sites (one per year) in anagricultural landscape in southern Ontario.

Female mallard ducks were radio-tagged andfollowed throughout the spring and summermonths to gain a better understanding of thenesting habits and survival of breeding ducks ineastern North America. One finding from thisstudy was that ducks spent a significant amountof time on ephemeral wetlands especially duringthe early part of the season. These smalltemporary ponds cover the landscape ofSouthern Ontario, composing up to 20% of thewetlands within the study sites.

Not only are ephemeral wetlands important forwildlife and waterfowl, they are alsotremendously important for flood control of thesurrounding landscape and improving waterquality. Ephemeral wetlands collect and holdvast amounts of runoff water from thesurrounding watershed and help to preventdownstream peaks in water flow. The loss of thewater retention attributes of these ephemeralwetlands to drainage and human developmentcan cause extensive downstream floodingduring spring snowmelt and heavy rain events.By holding runoff water these ponds also providea fresh water supply long after rain eventscease. Just as significant to flood control is thatwetlands play an instrumental role in filtering ourdrinking water. The vegetation and otheraquatic life of a wetland provide a natural filterfor waters that run through it. Chances are thewater that is serving the needs of the householdmay have at one time been through a wetland.

By helping to conserve our wetlands today, weare benefiting both wildlife and peopletomorrow.

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T S D E E W K C U D O W R G E S T T C N H D E R I E W S N S O H I M R E B L D A G E N Y U M A A S L L B C R T A O B A P G N A O A M E R I C A N T O A D W C A A A L N N A U N P D R K L T M O H D H R F P E E S L B O E P L S T L I R D A A L U O P M I L Y N W I L R U L L O P F E R G O R A D E O O R T N E C T R T M T H S O N U U T F U T S A R E D A S H S E A R R R N I R O W S W D H E T T E D L O A A R E D L A L N T E D N W I R L D L I E F A R E V A E B E M I N N O W

Amphibians American Toad Red-Back Salamander Red Eft Tadpole

Reptiles Map Turtle Snapping Turtle

Fish Bass Chub Minnow Sunfish

Invertebrates Dragonfly Snail Water Strider

Birds Great Blue Heron Loon Mallard Swan

Mammals Moose Beaver Coyote Mink Marten

Plants Alder Bladderwort Bulrush Duck Weeds Red Ash Willow

Secret message: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __’ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

MESSAGE: TOGETHER WE CAN HELP PROTECT ONTARIO’S WETLAND WILDLIFE Printed on recycled paper

Volume 13, No. 1 Since 1991, Amphibian Voice has been distributed to schools and communities participating in the Adopt-A-Pond programme. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information on amphibian, turtle and wetland conservation issues and efforts in Ontario. Send in your stories, drawings and photographs to the address below and we will “hoppily” include them in future issues. Editors: Sarah Ingwersen Adopt-A-Pond Coordinator Bob Johnson Curator of Reptiles & Amphibians Contributors: Tony Sharley, Jessica Steiner, Steven Racey, Michael Berrill, Phung Tran, Richard E. Grosshans Support for Adopt-A-Pond: Banrock Station Wetlands Foundation Canada HRDC Adopt-A-Pond is a non-profit wetland education programme. Costs to produce this newsletter, and other resources, are funded by grants and private donations. We welcome support of our programme! Please make cheques payable to “Toronto Zoo” and send them to the following address. Thank you!

Adopt-A-Pond Toronto Zoo

361A Old Finch Ave. Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7

Fax: (416) 392-4979

aap@torontozoo.ca

Spring 2003

Hidden in the murky depths of the swamp are 28 plants and animals commonly found in and around wetlands. Can you

find them? Use the remaining letters, from left to right, to reveal a secret message!

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