CANADA
SASKATCHEWAN
The Diverse Landscapes of the Manitou Sand Hills
PREPARED FOR THE MANITOU SAND HILLS STANDING COMMITTEE
Table of Contents Table of Contents
inside front cover
Dedication
1
Introduction
3
Visual Landscapes Overview
5
Chapter One - Significant Wetland Areas
7
Chapter Two - Saline Shorelines and Lowlands
10
Chapter Three - Historic Shorelines
12
Chapter Four - Stromatolite Reefs
14
Geographical Landscape Map - Land Use Policy Areas
16
Chapter Five - Forest Management Areas
18
Chapter Six - Active Dune Ridges
20
Chapter Seven - Areas not Reworked by Wind
22
Chapter Eight - Glacial Features
24
Chapter Nine - Impacts of Land Use Activities
26
Conclusion
29
Glossary of Common Terms
30
References
32
Acknowledgements
inside back cover
DEDICATION This guide is dedicated to the memory of Lorne Topley (1946–2013). Lorne was a long term member of the Advisory and Standing Committees for the Manitou Sand Hills Land Use Plan, representing the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and the Lloydminster Fish and Game Association. Lorne will always be remembered for his dedication to wildlife and our natural resources. 1
Overlooking Manitou Lake
Introduction The Manitou Sand Hills are located on the Canadian Prairies in west-central Saskatchewan, some 50 to 100 kilometers south of Lloydminster. The area is located in the Rural Municipalities of Senlac No. 411, Manitou Lake No. 442, and Round Valley No. 410. The communities of Senlac, Marsden, Neilburg, Macklin, and Unity, Saskatchewan and Chauvin, Alberta, are the nearest communities serving this rural area. Land use in the Manitou Sand Hills consists mainly of agriculture, oil & gas exploration and development, ecotourism, and recreation. In 1996, a Land Use Plan covering an area of approximately 105,510 acres of Crown Land in the Manitou Sand Hills was completed. A consensus approach to decision-making by stakeholders of the area was used in the formation of the Land Use Plan. The plan specifically addressed the protection and conservation of rare plant and animal species and their habitat. A commitment was made to prepare field guides to assist in the identification of these rare plants and animals, and their habitat requirements. To fulfill this commitment, “The Rare Plants of the Manitou Sand Hills” was completed in 2005, and “The Rare Animals of the Manitou Sand Hills” was completed in 2009. In addition to the rare species, these publications also list some seldom seen 3
Artland Grazing Co-op
or less common plants and animals which further illustrate the unusual diversity of the flora and fauna found there. The presence of these species is an indicator of the successful conservation and protection of wildlife habitat. “The Diverse Landscapes of the Manitou Sand Hills�, completed in 2014, has been prepared to help users and stakeholders better understand this habitat which supports the broad biodiversity of plants and animal species found in this very unusual area. This field guide will assist in meeting these goals.
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Ducks Unlimited “Marsden Project”
Visual Landscapes Overview In February 1993, a publication entitled “Vegetation Survey of the Manitou Sand Hills” was completed by J. Thorpe and R. Godwin, of the Applied Plant Ecology Section of the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC Publication No. E-25501-E-93). This excellent and comprehensive publication has been widely consulted by a broad range of interests ever since. The authors of “The Diverse Landscapes of the Manitou Sand Hills” wish to acknowledge the assistance that publication has provided in the preparation of this field guide. Specific text has been referenced as appropriate. The Manitou Sand Hills contain numerous distinctive landscapes. Other sand hill blocks in Saskatchewan have been formed by wind action on sandy surface materials on relatively level sand plains. However, the dunes in the Manitou are formed on large hills of 5
sandy surface texture (probably kames – geological features laid down by retreating glaciers). The result is a mosaic of small hills on larger hills. Most of the dunes are stabilized, but scattered semi-active dunes are not difficult to find.1 The impact of slope is an important factor on the level of localized landscapes within the Manitou Sand Hills as a whole. In turn, the range of landscape types lends itself to amazing diversity in vegetation, abundant wildlife habitat and topographic variation. The relief of the larger hills contributes to much of the visual diversity of the area. It also accounts for the abundance of wetlands in the area, as water emerging from surficial sand seeps out laterally on less permeable layers at the base of slopes creating numerous springs and associated wetlands.2 These landscape features are described and illustrated in greater detail throughout this field guide. The guide also refers to three land use policy areas which are described in the Manitou Sand Hills Integrated Resource Management Plan. These are: • the Prime Conservation Area which covers roughly 19% of the area, and provides the highest level of environmental protection and control over land use activities and developments; • the Special Management Area which covers roughly 21% of the area; it provides a high degree of environmental protection but allows flexibility for land use and development located outside of extremely environmentally sensitive areas; and • the Multiple Use Area which covers the remaining 60% of the area, and provides for sustainable management of a broad range of land use activities and development; it encompasses the majority of the Crown Land in the area and provides the lowest level of restriction on development. 6
Yonker Lake
Chapter One
Significant Wetland Areas Wetlands provide the greatest variety of vegetation types found in close proximity to each other, and are most likely to harbor rare plant species and unusual plant communities. Wetlands considered most significant because of size, diversity of vegetation, or special features are concentrated in twelve locations within the Prime Conservation and Special Management Areas in the western part of the Manitou. Activities in the wetland areas are limited to those deemed low impact such as grazing and recreational activities including fishing and hunting. High disturbance activities are generally prohibited within wetland areas. 7
These wetlands contribute to the richness of plant life by providing habitat for plants that need a constant supply of water. Also, the wetlands vary in salinity, resulting in a range of species varying in salt tolerance. Many of the freshwater wetlands have developed accumulations of peat, similar to the muskegs found farther north, and boreal plant species found there.3 Four of these wetlands are especially significant. The following three locations all contain rare plant species.4 The east shore of Freshwater Lake is considered unique because of the large size of the fen peat land, and the occurrence of string fen formation along the east and north sides of the fen area. The Suffren Lake through Horseshoe Lake location consists of a series of wetlands with a concentration of seepage areas feeding it at the east end.
Yonker Lake
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Water flows westward from east of the Artland Grid into Suffern Lake. The area known as the “Ducks Unlimited Marsh” (Ducks Unlimited Canada “Marsden Project”) located on the south-west side of Manitou Lake is by far the largest wetland in the Manitou. A fourth location in the East Manitou Grazing Co-op is unique because it contains a floating fen, which is a feature normally found in the boreal forest. Several lakes in the complex (Manitou, Freshwater, Wells, and the Reflex Lakes) have been nominated to the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network for special designation as important stopovers for migratory shorebirds.
Ducks Unlimited “Marsden Project”
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Chapter Two
Saline Shorelines and Lowlands Saline shorelines are found along saline lakes in many parts of the Manitou Sand Hills. Those of significant size include the shorelines surrounding Freshwater Lake and the Reflex Lakes in the Prime Conservation Area. The Crown Reserve (shorelines) around Manitou Lake including Manitou Island and two peninsulas on the lake, and the shoreline of Little Manitou Lake are also designated as Prime Conservation Areas. The saline shorelines and land immediately surrounding Lake Boscoe and Ahrens Lake are designated as Special Management Areas. Saline lowlands supporting vegetation communities along the southwestern and southeastern shores of Manitou Lake have also been designated as Special Management Areas. Only the hardiest of plant species are adapted to survival in these areas. This can present problems as some salt tolerant species are considered unpalatable to livestock and are also considered to be weeds. Foxtail barley is one such species. More desirable species are difficult to re-establish under these harsh conditions.
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Overlooking Manitou Lake
Gravel Lake
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Chapter Three
Historic Shorelines The depth of Manitou Lake has declined steadily for at least a century. The lake is regarded as a terminal or endorheic basin as there is no outflow and equilibration occurs through evaporation. This is apparent by observing the receding historic shorelines evident by lines of vegetation which have become established. Settlement maps from 1912 clearly show the extent of Manitou Lake at that time. Perhaps the most startling evidence of the
Manito Lake, 2005
Manito Lake, 1922. Credit: Glenbow Archives NA-1900-9
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decline in water levels, however, are the photographs of Sugar Loaf Hill taken looking southwards from the site which has become Manitou Lake Regional Park, in 1922, compared with the similar one taken in 2005. Several township surveys were completed in the early 1900’s which identified shorelines. Each survey delineated the high water mark. Comparison of the township surveys to present day satellite imagery further illustrates the decline in water levels of Manitou Lake. For instance, an area roughly four sections in size north of the old Zumbro railway siding has gradually emerged. The accrued area takes time to stabilize with vegetation. Much of this accrued area now is vegetated with a variety of grass species, small shrubs and aspen trees.
Pictorial approximation of historic surveyed boundaries for Manitou Lake on current satellite imagery. The historic boundary is in red and is based on information from the 1930 township plat for Township 43, Range 26 West of the Third Meridian and the 1918 township survey plat for Township 43, Range 27 West of the Third Meridian.
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Chapter Four
Stromatolite Reefs The south shore of Manitou Lake contains some very unusual stromatolite-like formations which likely require additional research. Stromatolites are layered accretionary structures formed in shallow water by the trapping, binding, and cementation of sedimentary grains by biofilms of microorganisms.5 Globally, they provide some of the most ancient records of life on Earth by fossil remains which date back more than 3.5 billion years. Formations occur widely in the fossil record of the Precambrian, but are rare today. 6 Modern stromatolites are mostly found in hypersaline lakes and marine lagoons where extreme conditions due to high saline levels exclude animal grazing. An internet search reveals fascinating results and illustrates how rare this phenomenon really is today. At Manitou Lake (south shore), rows of stromatolite-like formations can be seen emerging from the lake within 3–8 meters off shore. Others can be seen in rows on land several meters from the water’s edge, left by the receding shore line as water levels have declined over the years. They resemble coral reefs.
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Stromatolite reef-like structures on former lakebed
Stromatolite-like features of Manitou Lake
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Manitou Sand Hills
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Land Use Policy Areas
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Chapter Five
Forest Management Areas Between the early 1930’s and early 1950’s, a series of twelve stands of pine trees were planted in sections 15 and 27, Township 42, Range 27, West of the 3rd Meridian. All stands were mechanically planted. A Dominion Forest Station was established in stand No.2 but no longer exists. It is thought the trees were planted to mitigate soil erosion problems after the severe drought of the 1930’s. Today these stands cover about 95 acres. They consist of Jack Pine and Lodgepole Pine, and one stand also contains White Spruce. This is the most northerly location of Lodgepole Pine in Saskatchewan. The plantations are the only stands of pine trees in the Manitou Sand Hills, and therefore provide ‘unique’ ecosystem elements to the area. Wildlife species that require conifers as part of their habitat (primarily migratory songbirds) may have become resident in the area solely because of the presence of these plantations. There is an infestation of Caragana in two of the stands, which will prevent other species of trees from regenerating. If it is not eradicated, it will spread to the other stands. These forest blocks have historically been Former trail ride shower popular destination points for naturebased tourism. Different vegetation species, similar to those found in the Boreal transition zone, may be found in these forest blocks. The Vegetation Survey of the Manitou Sand Hills records the occurence of over 30 species typically found in the boreal forest. 18
Lodgepole and Jackpine plantation north of Gravel Lake
Plantation south east of Gravel Lake
19
Chapter Six
Active Dune Ridge Areas A major feature of the area is the fine alluvial sands formed into stabilized and un-stabilized dunes in strongly rolling topography. These dunes are up to 18 meters high and 0.8 kilometers long, and lie in east-west rows. The active dunes are concentrated in the Prime Conservation Area west of the Artland Grid, Special Management Areas on both sides of the Artland Grid, and in the Special Management Area east and south-east of (Alberta’s) Dillberry Lake Provincial Park. Several rare plants are associated with these active dunes and are referred to in The Rare Plants of the Manitou Sand Hills field guide.
Active dunes in the Prime Conservation Area
20
Active dune in Special Management Area
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Chapter Seven
Areas not Reworked by Wind These areas are considered significant in that they differ in landform from the sand dunes which cover most of the uplands in the planning area. The areas not reworked by wind are morainic in topography, but frequently appear to be overlain by glacio-fluvial or glacio-lacustrane sediments. Four main blocks have been identified. One is near the Reflex Lakes along the Alberta border. Another, consisting of Manitou Island and parts of the larger peninsula, are particularly striking features. Two more blocks are located further south and east in the Multiple Use Area.7 Sugar Loaf Hill also appears to be an area not reworked by wind.
Manitou Island
22
South face of Sugar Loaf Hill
Manitou Island
23
Chapter Eight
Glacial Features The dominant glacial features in the area are called ‘Kames’. These are irregularly shaped hills comprised of sand, gravel, and till which accumulated on a retreating glacier and were laid down as the glacier melted and retreated further. Manitou Island could be considered to be a kame, and the two steep peninsulas reaching in a north-easterly direction could be considered part of kame terraces which developed as the glacier melted. Terminal moraine (individual rocks/boulders) may be found on these and other large hills in the area.
Example of terminal moraine
24
Close-up of terminal moraine
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Chapter Nine
Impacts of Land Use Activities Land use activities for the Manitou Sand Hills are categorized into permitted or prohibited based on the ecological sensitivity of a given area. There are specific guidelines within the Manitou Sand Hills Land Use Plan for activities such as oil & gas exploration, linear utilities, seismic and recreational activities. The activities are defined based on the impacts to the soil, terrain, vegetation, wildlife, water resources and other users. The underlying principle is to minimize the impact of the activity by reducing ground disturbance and potential for erosion. Activity such as oil & gas explor– ation are generally regarded as high impact. Ecological sensitivities of the Manitou Sand Hills require industry to be more innovative to minimize impact on the land– scape. Techniques to minimize industry footprint includes avoid– ance of highly sensitive areas, winter drilling, minimal dis– turbance drilling, mulching of existing vegetation and use of Existing trail use existing trails until locations are proven producers. Site selection for surface leases becomes extremely important to ensure impact on the landscape is minimized.
26
Low impact seismic line
Surface lease locations showing minimal disturbance techniques under frozen conditions
27
Semi-stabilized dune area
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Conclusion This field guide is intended to describe and illustrate the landscapes and habitat which are part of the natural beauty of the Manitou Sand Hills and to explain some of the unusual natural elements found there. It was felt that the rare plants and animals featured in the two previous guides are there because of the landscapes and habitat upon which they depend. A guide to these landscapes would ‘complete the story’. In 1969, the Manitou Sand Hills were designated (as the “Artland Sand Hills”) under the United Nations International Biological Program as worthy of conservation for its natural beauty and unusual natural elements. The Land Use Plan covering this spectacular area was completed in 1996. It is the second oldest and most consistently applied integrated land use plan in the province and it has been an unqualified success. The 22 members of the Standing Committee overseeing its continued implementation include representatives of cattle grazing co-operatives, oil and gas exploration and development companies, environmental groups, tourism organizations, and the general public. It also includes representatives of municipal, provincial, and First Nations governments. The majority of committee members participate as volunteers – mileage allowances or per diems are not paid. The goal of all members of the Standing Committee remains the continued ecological protection of this unique area while balancing the often competing needs of the stakeholders. We hope the information and photographs provided in this field guide will be helpful to everyone who works in or visits this special place. It also recognizes the commitment of area residents as they continue to care for the spectacular scenery and biodiversity of the Manitou Sand Hills. Presented by the Manitou Sand Hills Standing Committee – April 2014 29
Glossary of Common Terms all of the following occur in the Manitou Sand Hills Alluvial
deposits of silt/sand/clay from flowing water
Biodiversity
the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable
Boreal
the term ‘boreal’ is applied to ecosystems with a sub-arctic climate between 45 to 55 degrees North Latitude; the Manitou Sand Hills are just south of the 53rd lateral
Endorheic lake
a lake with no external outlets or drainage and water loss occurs only by evaporation
Fen
a fen is one of the six main types of wetland; their water chemistry is neutral or alkaline; while usually dominated by grasses and sedges, they frequently have a high diversity of other plant species, including carnivorous plants; fens have a characteristic set of plant species, which sometimes provide the best indicators of environmental conditions
Glacio-fluvial
this describes the deposits of streams caused by the melting of glaciers; the important depositional features of glacio-fluvial origin are outwash plain, valley train, eskers, kames, and kame terraces
Glacio-lacustrine
this describes sediments deposited by glacial meltwater in lakes 8
Habitat
an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of plant, animal, or other type of organism
Hypersaline lake
a landlocked body of water that contains significant concentrations of sodium chloride or other mineral salts, with saline levels surpassing that of ocean water; specific microbial and crustacean species thrive in these highly saline environments
Kame
a geological feature, an irregularly shaped hill or mound composed of sand, gravel, and till that accumulates in a depression on a retreating glacier, and is then deposited on the land surface as the glacier melts
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Scenic view of Manitou Lake
Morainic
any glacially formed accumulation of debris (soil and rock) which can occur in formerly glaciated areas; they can vary from silt sized grains to large boulders
Peat
an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation; since organic matter accumulates over thousands of years, peat deposits also provide records of past vegetation and climates stored in plant remains, particularly pollen
Seep
a seep is a moist or wet place where water, (usually ground water) reaches the earth’s surface from an underground aquifer; they often form a puddle and are important for small wildlife, bird and butterfly habitat in particular
Spring
any natural source of water which flows to the surface of the earth from underground, i.e. where an aquifer emerges from the ground
Wetland
a land area that is saturated by water, permanently or seasonally, and takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem; its characteristic vegetation is adapted to its unique soil conditions
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References (1) Thorpe, J. & Godwin, R. Vegetation Survey of the Manito Sand Hills, Saskatchewan Research Council, February 1993 (2) Ibid (3) Ibid (4) Ibid (5) Riding, R. “The term stromatolite: toward an essential definition”, 2007 (Wikipedia) (6) Feldman, M. & McKenzie, J.A. “Stromatolite-thrombolite associations in a Modern Environment, Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas”, April 1998 (7) Thorpe, J. & Godwin, R. Vegetation Survey of the Manito Sand Hills, Saskatchewan Research Council, February 1993 (8) Krzic M., K. Watson, S. Grand, A. Bomke, S. Smith, S. Dyanatkar, C. Crowley, and G. Lascu. 2010. “Glacio-Lacustrine”, Soil Formation and Parent Material. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland. [http://soilweb.landfood.ubc.ca/landscape/parent-material/ glacial-environment/glacio-lacustrine]
Manitou Lake shoreline
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Photograph Credits Donna Banks D.S. Graham Tracey Charabin Ian McGilp
Acknowledgements The Standing Committee wishes to express thanks to the following contributors who made the writing and publication of this Field Guide possible: Canadian Natural Resources Limited Northern Blizzard Resources Inc. Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Tourism Saskatchewan Lloydminster & District Fish & Game Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Round Prairie Honey – Fred Baran Photos by “D” Freelance Photographer – Donna Banks Members of the Manitou Sand Hills Standing Committee Ian McGilp, Mark England, and Tracey Charabin – Project Managers
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