Panmure Alvar

The Panmure Alvar is an alvar that lies in a limestone plain on the north eastern edge of Lanark County east of the town of Pakenham.[1] In alvars, shallow soil with alternating drought and flooding conditions creates open clearings with distinctive plant and animal communities. Fire may also play a role.[2]

The forests are mostly white cedar, white spruce and poplar, with openings dominated by common juniper. The alvar clearings contain regionally significant plants such as Crawe's sedge (Carex crawei) and Hookedspur violet (Viola adunca).[1] A total of 82 native plant species have been recorded from this location, including the provincially significant Cooper's milk vetch (Astagalus neglectus).[3]

The nearest alvar is the provincially significant Burnt Lands alvar. Panmure is considered to be the second best example of limestone plain with open alvar in the Smiths Falls Plain physiogropahic region of site district 6-11.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1991. Area of Natural and Scientific Interest - Life Science Checksheet. Page 73 in David J. White. 1992. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-11, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto, Ontario.
  2. ↑ Keddy, Paul A. 2017. Plant Ecology. Origins, Processes, Consequences. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN 9781107114234
  3. 1 2 Brownell, Vivian R. and John L. Riley. 2000. The Alvars of Ontario. Significant Alvar Natural Areas in the Ontario Great Lakes Region. Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Toronto, Ontario. p 225-7. ISBN 1-896059-11-2

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