Manitoulin Geology, People, and Plants - Andy's Northern Ontario

54 Pages·2012·7.46 MB·English

Manitoulin Geology, People, and Plants
Andy Fyon, Ontario Geological Survey,
Friends of Misery Bay, Manitoulin
Island, August 14, 2011 Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
• Not horticulturist or
biologist.
• Not expert on alvar
flora.
• Flowering plants: hobby
• Prefer not to discuss
medicinal or culinary
uses of plants
Tell a Story
Don't have all the answers.
Lots of questions – try
together.
If the Power Goes Out…Please Remember This
• Geological features influence types and
distribution of plant communities
• BUT
• Geology is not the only factor
Manitoulin Gold
Manitoulin Island Alvar
(Hymenoxys herbacea)
Story Outline
1: Ontario Geological Survey
(MNDM Sponsor)
2: History of the Earth
3: Fossil plants and Earth history
4: Geological history - Manitoulin
5: Geology and People
6: Geological Influences on Flora
Early
Saxifrage
Brachiopod
1. Ontario Geological Survey (Sponsor)
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Baseline
Economy
Habitat
Health of
Quality of Life
Environment
(Environment,
Health, Safety)
Climate change
Natural
Hazards
Landforms
Glacial deposits
Rocks
Energy: Geothermal
Minerals, Aggregate,Groundwater
Rock Energy
2. Brief History of the Earth
3. Fossil Plants and Geological Record

Trees”, ferns, horsetail appeared 450 million yrs ago
“
Lycopod (350
My) ancestor
of club moss
(Lycopodium)
3. Fossil Plants and Geological Record

Trees”, ferns, horsetail appeared 450 million yrs ago
“
Calamites (300
My) ancestor
of Horsetail
(Equisetum)
3. Fossil Plants and Geological Record

Time: Fossil “Flowering” Plant (Archaefructus sinensis) - 125 million
years old
Evolutionary
step to
flowering
plants.
No petals.
Seeds
protected by
closed fruits.
4.
Manitoulin Island Geology, People and Plants
Manitoulin Gold,
Misery Bay