1. to relate science to technology, society, and the environment
2. to develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry
3. to understand the basic concepts of science
Every course in the secondary science program focuses on these three goals.
Sustainable Ecosystem
Sustainable ecosystem is a biological environment and series of habitats that is able to thrive and support itself without outside influence or assistance. In ideal sustainable ecosystems, everything is already provided within the ecosystem for life to survive.
Biotic and abiotic factors in the ecosystem
The Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment stretches 725 km through Southern Ontario’s landscape, from
Queenston in the Niagara Region up to Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula. It stands prominent
against Ontario’s rather flat topography. It is not only a prominent and significant feature in
Ontario’s landscape, but is also recognized on a national level as one of Canada’s premier
biosphere reserves, highlighted by UNESCO.
Regional Diversity:
The Niagara Escarpment belongs to the Mixed Wood Plains Ecozone of Canada. The ecozone’s
natural features including climate, water systems, topography, soil characteristics have
agglomerated together to form the uniqueness of Southern Ontario’s landscape – consequently
establishing human and wildlife adaptations, patterns and operations in the region.
Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment is a unique ecosystem. Created by the accumulation of sediment,
during the Ordovician and Silurian Periods, when much of North America was covered by warm
shallow water and then later etched during the glaciation era, to what it has become now a ridge
of rock stretching across Southern Ontario’s landscape. It continues its transformation, by being
continually shaped and moulded through weathering and mass wasting processes.
The effects of such processes have agglomerated to form the Niagara Escarpment we are
familiar with today – with its mosaic of forests, farmlands, scenic views, cliffs set along Georgian
Bay, quiet streams, wetlands, tranquil rolling hills, multitude of waterfalls tumbling down its rock
ledges and still caves carved into its base. As a result, the Niagara Escarpment, along with its
unique natural features, has become prime habitat for wildlife, creating an area rich in wildlife and
plant biodiversity.
at risk" including the bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, black tern, Louisiana waterthrush and
hooded warbler. Also, the Escarpment is home to 53 mammal species, 36 reptiles and
amphibians, 90 fish, of these species, those considered at risk include the northern dusky
salamander (endangered), the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (threatened) and the southern
flying squirrel (vulnerable). The Niagara Escarpment is also home to 100 varieties of special
interest flora including 37 types of wild orchids as well as home to gnarled Eastern White
Cedar trees (Thuja occidentalis) at the cliff edges and on the cliff faces. With some specimens
as old as 1000 years, these trees of "bonsai" proportions are the oldest in eastern North
America.
Several wildlife and plant species are unique only to the Niagara Escarpment. And have
adapted solely to the vegetation, the soil, climate that the Escarpment offers.
2. to develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry
3. to understand the basic concepts of science
Every course in the secondary science program focuses on these three goals.
Sustainable Ecosystem
Sustainable ecosystem is a biological environment and series of habitats that is able to thrive and support itself without outside influence or assistance. In ideal sustainable ecosystems, everything is already provided within the ecosystem for life to survive.
Biotic and abiotic factors in the ecosystem
The Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment stretches 725 km through Southern Ontario’s landscape, from
Queenston in the Niagara Region up to Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula. It stands prominent
against Ontario’s rather flat topography. It is not only a prominent and significant feature in
Ontario’s landscape, but is also recognized on a national level as one of Canada’s premier
biosphere reserves, highlighted by UNESCO.
Regional Diversity:
The Niagara Escarpment belongs to the Mixed Wood Plains Ecozone of Canada. The ecozone’s
natural features including climate, water systems, topography, soil characteristics have
agglomerated together to form the uniqueness of Southern Ontario’s landscape – consequently
establishing human and wildlife adaptations, patterns and operations in the region.
Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment is a unique ecosystem. Created by the accumulation of sediment,
during the Ordovician and Silurian Periods, when much of North America was covered by warm
shallow water and then later etched during the glaciation era, to what it has become now a ridge
of rock stretching across Southern Ontario’s landscape. It continues its transformation, by being
continually shaped and moulded through weathering and mass wasting processes.
The effects of such processes have agglomerated to form the Niagara Escarpment we are
familiar with today – with its mosaic of forests, farmlands, scenic views, cliffs set along Georgian
Bay, quiet streams, wetlands, tranquil rolling hills, multitude of waterfalls tumbling down its rock
ledges and still caves carved into its base. As a result, the Niagara Escarpment, along with its
unique natural features, has become prime habitat for wildlife, creating an area rich in wildlife and
plant biodiversity.
Microclimatic Effects in the Niagara Escarpment
The evidence of the Niagara Escarpment’s regional diversity includes its microclimatic effects in
the Niagara Peninsula. As a result of the agglomeration of the moderating effects of Lakes Erie
and Ontario and fertile soils laid down during the glaciation era, the lands surrounding the
Niagara Escarpment experience excellent growing conditions thus forming Ontario’s prime fruit
growing area. In particular, such microclimatic effects have promoted the growth and maturing of
Ontario’s wine industry.
As the ground warms up in spring, cool air is drawn inland from Lake Ontario. Flowing in a
circular pattern down the Escarpment and along the ground, this cool air delays bud burst on the
vines, preventing potential damage by late spring frosts. In fall, the air circulation works in
reverse. Air is warmed over the lake and moves inland along the ground. When it reaches the
Escarpment it rises, drawing more warm air in behind it and giving the region the long, warm fall
days needed to develop optimum sugar content in the grapes.
With its annual sunshine hours and rainfall, the Niagara Peninsula enjoys a climate during the
growing season that is very similar to Burgundy, France.
Ontario’s wine-production industry has matured over the past quarter century and Ontario wines
now compete globally.
The Niagara Escarpment is home to more than 300 bird species, 25 are considered "speciesat risk" including the bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, black tern, Louisiana waterthrush and
hooded warbler. Also, the Escarpment is home to 53 mammal species, 36 reptiles and
amphibians, 90 fish, of these species, those considered at risk include the northern dusky
salamander (endangered), the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (threatened) and the southern
flying squirrel (vulnerable). The Niagara Escarpment is also home to 100 varieties of special
interest flora including 37 types of wild orchids as well as home to gnarled Eastern White
Cedar trees (Thuja occidentalis) at the cliff edges and on the cliff faces. With some specimens
as old as 1000 years, these trees of "bonsai" proportions are the oldest in eastern North
America.
Several wildlife and plant species are unique only to the Niagara Escarpment. And have
adapted solely to the vegetation, the soil, climate that the Escarpment offers.
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