Habitat Destruction

The degradation of spawning habitat is a problem that has affected several species in Lake Simcoe. Habitat damage can occur through eutrophication, as increased amounts of plant material are produced in the lake, and then die and decay. Habitat can also be adversely affected by onshore activities within the watershed such as construction and agriculture. These activities, if not appropriately managed, can result in the erosion of sediments and the subsequent transport of those sediments to rivers and the lake where spawning beds are silted over. Damming creeks and streams, building breakwaters and docks, and similar activities can change the way that water, nutrients and energy move through the ecosystem and negatively impact aquatic habitat. In aquatic systems boat traffic can erode wildlife habitat. This, coupled with the drainage and filling of marshland has devastating effects on fish spawning and nursery habitat.