Oak Ridges Moraine Case Study
The Oak Ridges Moraine
The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of the most significant landforms on Southern Ontario that was formed 12,000 years ago by moving glaciers. The moraine is hydrolically and regionally. It forms the northern boundary of the Toronto boreregion. The moraine is the headwaters of 65 river systems, and 35 of them are in the GTA. The moraine has numerous streams, woodlands, wetlands, kettle lakes, kettle bogs, flora and fauna. It is one of the of the few remaining continuous green corridors in southern Ontario. Many species and creatures live in the moraine since thirty percent of it is still forested. It is likely that the moraine will become more and more affected by urbanization over the next couple of years, and if nothing is done to prevent this from happening, we will lose a highly significant part of Ontario …show more content…
The moraine's greatest threat is land development, urbanization.
Millions of people live near the moraine. The moraine is being threatened by development pressures. Because of urbanization, the moraine is getting smaller and smaller. There has been evidence that in several areas of the moraine, the acquifers are being mined. Water is being taken from the moraine too soon in order for it to be naturally replenished. In several areas of the moraine, groundwater has been severely contaminated by numerous sources. The industrial, agricultural, residential and septic systems are damaging the moraine's groundwater. Groundwater provides forty percent of the water in Ontario's rivers and streams which makes them more likely to change in water flows and purity. The attractive forests and hilly relief attract developers that are looking for building opportunities. The thousands of houses that are yet to be built in the moraine, substitute the two-million square feet of water. If supplies keep getting exhausted, streams will dry up and this will affect fisheries, wildlife and
conservation.
Fortunately, the Toronto City Council is working with many conservation organizations, local residents and municipalities to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine which is one of the most unique sceneries in southern Ontario. The Toronto City Council is aware that the Oak Ridges Moraine is a significant part of Canada, especially to southern Ontario. Further growth of developments in the moraine will have a guaranteed effect on the water quality of southern Ontario. Uncontrolled development will reduce precipitation at the moraine. Precipitation is important to the moraine because it recharges acquifers. Urbanization can cause the greenway system to be overwhelmed by stormy and uncontrolled water flows, excessive nutrients and other pollutants that are bad for the moraine's environment. It will also add pollution and cause more damage to the moraine because the land is said to be fragile. If the moraine becomes too unhealthy to provide cool water to streams and rivers, it will become almost impossible to maintain its water quality for the people of southern Ontario. To conclude, it is likely that the moraine will become more and more affected by urbanization over the next couple of years, and if nothing is done to prevent this from happening, we will lose a highly significant part of Ontario.
The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of the most significant landforms on Southern Ontario that was formed 12,000 years ago by moving glaciers. The moraine is hydrolically and regionally. It forms the northern boundary of the Toronto boreregion. The moraine is the headwaters of 65 river systems, and 35 of them are in the GTA. The moraine has numerous streams, woodlands, wetlands, kettle lakes, kettle bogs, flora and fauna. It is one of the of the few remaining continuous green corridors in southern Ontario. Many species and creatures live in the moraine since thirty percent of it is still forested. It is likely that the moraine will become more and more affected by urbanization over the next couple of years, and if nothing is done to prevent this from happening, we will lose a highly significant part of Ontario …show more content…
The moraine's greatest threat is land development, urbanization.
Millions of people live near the moraine. The moraine is being threatened by development pressures. Because of urbanization, the moraine is getting smaller and smaller. There has been evidence that in several areas of the moraine, the acquifers are being mined. Water is being taken from the moraine too soon in order for it to be naturally replenished. In several areas of the moraine, groundwater has been severely contaminated by numerous sources. The industrial, agricultural, residential and septic systems are damaging the moraine's groundwater. Groundwater provides forty percent of the water in Ontario's rivers and streams which makes them more likely to change in water flows and purity. The attractive forests and hilly relief attract developers that are looking for building opportunities. The thousands of houses that are yet to be built in the moraine, substitute the two-million square feet of water. If supplies keep getting exhausted, streams will dry up and this will affect fisheries, wildlife and
conservation.
Fortunately, the Toronto City Council is working with many conservation organizations, local residents and municipalities to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine which is one of the most unique sceneries in southern Ontario. The Toronto City Council is aware that the Oak Ridges Moraine is a significant part of Canada, especially to southern Ontario. Further growth of developments in the moraine will have a guaranteed effect on the water quality of southern Ontario. Uncontrolled development will reduce precipitation at the moraine. Precipitation is important to the moraine because it recharges acquifers. Urbanization can cause the greenway system to be overwhelmed by stormy and uncontrolled water flows, excessive nutrients and other pollutants that are bad for the moraine's environment. It will also add pollution and cause more damage to the moraine because the land is said to be fragile. If the moraine becomes too unhealthy to provide cool water to streams and rivers, it will become almost impossible to maintain its water quality for the people of southern Ontario. To conclude, it is likely that the moraine will become more and more affected by urbanization over the next couple of years, and if nothing is done to prevent this from happening, we will lose a highly significant part of Ontario.