City of Mississauga Natural Areas Survey (2016)
Natural Areas Fact Sheet
NATURAL AREA NAME
PLANNING DISTRICT
AREA (HA)
UTM GRID REFERENCE
LV6
Lakeview
2.37
6140 48273
1. LOCATION
South of the Hydro right-of-way that runs parallel to the Queensway and north of Melton Drive. East of
Cawthra Road.
2. CLASSIFICATION
Significant Natural Area
3. DESCRIPTION
A. Physical Features
The topography of this site is rolling. The underlying bedrock geology consists of the grey shales of the
Georgian Bay Formation. These are overlain by soil and glacial deposits consisting of well drained Fox
sands which have developed within the Iroquois sand plain. Soil moisture is mesic throughout the site.
This site is located within the Cooksville Creek sub-watershed.
B. Biota
There are 117 floral and 18 faunal species documented for this site. This site is divided into two woodlots
by Cody Lane (see accompanying figure): dry-fresh white ash deciduous forest type (FOD4-2) comprises
both of the woodlots at this site (see accompanying figure).
Dry-fresh White Ash Deciduous Forest Type (FOD4-2)
The canopy is currently dominated by White Ash (Fraxinus americana), however the ash is in very poor
health and Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) is starting to take over. Other native canopy associates are
Black Walnut (Prunus serotina), Basswood (Tilia americana), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum ssp
saccharum), and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). The canopy trees are 10-25 m in height and covers
greater than 60% of the community. The sub-canopy is dominated by European Buckthorn (Rhamnus
cathartica), Manitoba and Norway Maple (Acer platanoides). The sub-canopy is 2-10m in height and
covers 25-60%. The understory contains Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), European Spindletree (Euonymus elatus), European Buckthorn, the occasional choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), and
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Understory vegetation is 1-2 m in height and covers 25-60% of the
forest. The groundcover is dominated by the non-natives Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei) and Garlic
Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), Running Strawberry
(Euonymus obovata), Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), and False Solomon’s-seal
(Maianthemum racemosum) also occur. Ground layer vegetation is 0.2-0.5 m in height and covers greater
than 60% of the community.
There are 17 bird and 1 mammal species documented at this site. This natural area supports very little
diversity and comprises of common forest edge species, such as Northern Cardinal, American Robin and
Gray Catbird. No area-sensitive species have been documented from this site.
4. CONDITION
This site is currently in fair condition. Disturbances present at this site includes: garbage, brush dumping,
unplanned trails, trampling, soil compaction, road noise, and windthrow. An extensive mountain bike
course had been built within the east woodlot, including 2 m high ramps made from soil and logs. A leanto has been constructed and encroachment from adjacent residences was also noted in 2012. Invasive
plant species include Garlic Mustard, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Norway Maple, European Spindle-tree,
4. CONDITION continued...
European Buckthorn, Manitoba Maple. Forty-one introduced plant species are present at this site
(representing 35.04% of the total number of species present). The native FQI is 34.76, a medium value
and the native mean coefficient is 4.011, a high value. The native FQI and native mean coefficient have
increased from 2012 values of 33.47 and 3.97, respectively. Surrounding land use is residential.
5. SIGNIFICANCE
 1 species considered rare within the City (known from 3 or fewer locations): Horse-balm (Collinsonia
canadensis).
 2 plant species considered uncommon within the City (known from 4 to 10 locations): Finely-nerved
Sedge (Carex leptonervia) and Canadian Yew (Taxus canadensis).
 19 Credit Valley Conservation flora Species of Conservation Concern (Tier 1-3).
 5 Credit Valley Conservation fauna Species of Conservation Concern (Tier 1-3), all bird species.
6. MANAGEMENT NEEDS
 Access to this site should be controlled and the mountain bike circuit should be removed.
 There is a Special Management Area adjacent to this site which offers the potential for expansion of
the natural area.
 Once the ash is dead Manitoba Maple and Norway Maple will take over if not properly managed.
7. PRINCIPLE REFERENCES
City of Mississauga (1978b)
1.
Floristic quality is explained in the introduction.