Waweig Biodiversity Survey

In order to properly assess Camp Waweig for future

management, it is important to know the natural assets that
exist on the Waweig Camp property and in the surrounding
area. This work was conducted by SCEP staff. First, stream
samples were taken from the Waweig Brook in August
2006. During sampling, biota noted was an immature Moon
Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), a Blacknose Dace (Rhinichtys
atratulus), and a Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Through means
of kicknet samples, the following benthic macroinvertebrates
were identified: Scuds (Order Amphipoda); Caddisflies
(Order Tricoptera); Riffle Beetle larvae (Family Elmidae); and
an immature Giant Water Bug (Family Belostomatidae).

Water quality was tested by means of a YSI Multi-Probe

Meter. The following table lists the parameters tested and the
results.
Figure 1 A Moon Jellyfish ((Au-
Table 1 - Water Quality Parameters and Results of the aurita) and a Brown Trout
relia aurita
Waweig Brook. ((Salmo trutta) found in the
Waweig Brook.
E. coli (CFU/100mL) 0
Coliform (CFU/100mL) 100
Figure 2 Tina Spires, SCEP biologist, uses
Nitrate/Nitrite (ppm) 0/0 the increment borer to collect a sample
Phosphate (ppm) 30 from the tree and examines a core sample
Ammonia (ppm) 0 to determine the age of the tree.
pH 7.72
DO (%) 999.9
Salinity 1.2
Conductivity (µm/cm) 1183
Table 2 - Results from tree survey of Camp Waweig. Seven sites were surveyed, and the trees found within 5m of the center of
the surveyed area are noted in the table, with their height (m) and their DBH (cm) noted. Also, age of the tree was determined
by taking a core sample from the tree.

Site GPS Coordi- Tree Species Height (m) DBH (cm) Age of Tree Notes Photo
nate
1 45º13’31N red spruce 12.2 49.5 44 Predominantly
067º08’42W balsam fir 8.89 red spruce; ca.
30% fir. Moist
sphagnum moss
and pine needles
on floor. Crown
coverage ca.
60%

2 45º13’29N balsam fir 12.8 33 37 Full stage fir

067º08’37W red spruce 13.7 44.45 45 thicket. Moist,
mound and
pit topo.85%
crown closure.
5 fir under 4cm
diameter

3 45º13’30N red spruce 8.2 39.5 44 South facing

067º08’27W maple 12.2 48.5 slope. Crown
closure
30%. Floor
– leaf-covered
sphagnum moss
Old mature
stand
Site GPS Coordi- Tree Species Height (m) DBH (cm) Age of Tree Notes Photo
nate
4 45º13’37N balsam fir 7.6 20 25 Fir thicket stage.
067º08’24W Mound and pit.
South-facing
slope. Floor
– leaf-covered
moss.

5 45º13’40N red spruce 4.6 26 19 Sparse overstory

067º08’23W balsam fir – spruce,
cedar ~18m
Understory – 4-
5m mostly fir,
10% spruce

6 45º13’40N red spruce 12.5 43 51 All spruce

067º08’32W balsam fir measured same
DBH

7 45º13’33N balsam fir 10.7 47 47 2 BF under

067º08’34W 5’ 70% crown
closure. Moss
floor
Of the seven sites surveyed, the predominant species was
Red Spruce (Picea rubens). Other species noted were Balsam
Fir (Abies balsamea), White Spruce (Picea glauca), Eastern
White Pine (Pinus strobus), and Eastern White Cedar (Thuja
occidentalis).
Figure 3 Department of Natural Resources Forest Inventory map
4065. Indicates the seven sites of the biodiversity survey and up-
dates to classifications.
It is recommended that a forest management plan be com-
pleted on the property, with attention to the possibility of timber
and non-timber forest products.
Annual sampling of the Waweig River and unnamed brook is
also recommended. The purpose of this sampling and moni-
toring is to test a set of fixed sampling sites that can be used
over the long term to quickly and efficiently assess the health
of the Waweig River.