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Nature Link
Chatham-Kent Prairie
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
The area was known in the early 1800's for its virgin forest with towering oaks, hickory maple and walnut trees reaching hundreds of years in age. The landscape around Lake St. Clair had its endless marshes, but just inland from that there were no thick forests. Only prairie grasslands and some oak savannah existed for a distance, before the "trees" began.
The land east of Lake St. Clair was known as the Chatham Flats. This prairie was formed thousands of years ago when a hot and dry period allowed the western prairies to extend into southern Ontario. These grasslands were noted in the records of surveyors of the late 1700's.
Similar pockets of this prairie and oak savannah still exist on Walpole Island today. This is a rare habitat and is highly prized by the residents of the island, as well as naturalists. Rare flora and fauna thrive in this habitat, some of which can be found nowhere else on Canadian soil. There are an abundance of prairie wildflowers and grasses, as well as orchids. This habitat is the best example left in Ontario.
Historical records show that bear, beaver, and birds like the Greater prairie chicken, Wild Turkey, Pileated Woodpecker, and Passenger Pigeon existed on or near the Chatham Flats. We no longer see these species in this location due to the loss of habitat and/or over-hunting. There is the occasional beaver sighting though. (I have seen evidence of beavers in various locations in the area.)
Fred Hamil, in his book, The Valley of the Lower Thames (1951), describes on page 15 what the area looked like. He states that the prairies extended along the shore of Lake St. Clair and the Chenal Ecarte to the river Sydenham, and for several miles inland. The grasses were luxuriant to a height of four or five feet. He makes reference to wildlife, including venomous snakes. Yes, there were rattlesnakes around here in times past!
The Dover Township area is now one of the best farming areas in Ontario due to the fact that the area was once marsh or prairie. Not many trees had to be removed to clear for a field. The soil was already rich in nutrients.
Some small remnants of the prairie still exist along roadsides, railways, and waterways in Chatham-Kent. There are some excellent prairie patches on private property that I am aware of, especially along the Snye. At Prairie Siding (note name!) along the railway, are patches of prairie grasses and wildflowers. Rail right-of-ways in Southwestern Ontario are excellent spots to find remnants of prairie because they have been left alone and woody growth has been curtailed over the years.
Fires are essential to the survival of prairies and oak savannah as well. They prevent the growth of woody material and put nutrients back into the soil. Fires were common due to lightning in the past. Also, the aboriginal people knew the importance of fire. That is why we see prescribed burns at the present time. There are intentional fires set at places like Rondeau Park, Pinery Park, Ojibway Prairie (Windsor), and private lands. As well, we see frequent fires on Walpole Island in the spring and fall.
When you see a large grass fire, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Nature is at work.
The attached photo is of an Upland Sandpiper, an uncommon grassland species that is disappearing due to habitat loss.
