| Spatial changes in land-cover in the Stony Swamp region of the Ottawa Greenbelt were identified and mapped between 1964 and 1994. Mapping the cumulative spatial changes of land-cover that comprises a landscape provides a good measure of regional ecological change because of the broad regional interrelationships that exist between them. By identifying changes in land-cover it is possible to assess the effects of these changes upon wildlife and vegetative species.;Two trends were identified: an increase in vegetated land-cover inside Stony Swamp Conservation Area due to re-forestation, and its decrease outside the conservation area due to urbanisation. Between 1964 and 1977 agriculture decreased in area within the study site, while pine plantations and non-forest dry increased. Since 1987, urbanisation has been the greatest modifier of the landscape outside the conservation area. These changes in land-cover have reduced areas for wildlife outside the conservation area, while increasing pressure on the remaining ecosystems inside the conservation area. Continued urbanisation will no doubt result in Stony Swamp Conservation Area becoming an isolated forest, affecting wildlife and plant species found there. |
