Geology

The Niagara Escarpment runs from Niagara Falls to Tobermory. It forms the backbone of the Peninsula and shapes the northern boundary of most of the park, providing our new park with some of its most spectacular scenery. The rock of the Escarpment is very old.

Approximately 400 million years ago, this area was covered by a shallow tropical sea teeming with life in the form of plant-like animals, crustaceans, living corals and mollusks. It would have looked much like the present-day Great Barrier Reef of Australia. When the sea began to dry up, the minerals dissolved in it became more and more concentrated. Magnesium in the water was absorbed into the limestone, which then became a harder, slightly different sort of rock, called dolomite.

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The harder dolomite limestone forms much of the rock of the escarpment cliffs along Bruce Peninsula National Park’s Georgian Bay shoreline. At Niagara Falls, the dolomite "caprock" erodes more slowly than the rock below it, creating the sculptured cliffs for which the area is famous.

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Since the last Ice Age, water levels in the region have undergone great changes. Softer limestone has been eroded away by water action, leaving magnificent overhanging cliffs at various points along the shore. These are the big attraction of the Cyprus Lake trails. Where erosion has cut more deeply, caves have been formed, like the Grotto on the shore between Marr Lake and Georgian Bay Trails. Great blocks of dolomite, undercut by wave action, have tumbled from the cliffs above and can be clearly seen below the surface of the deep, clean waters of Georgian Bay.

Limestone is a rock which is easily eroded by water, as is shown by the "sculpted" appearance of much of the rock in the park. You may see rock covered with small circular holes. This is called "pitting" and is caused by mild acid in the water dissolving the rock.

Biology

Plants

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Our peninsula is unique in Canada for its wide variety of wildflowers. This is because, for a relatively small bit of land, the Bruce has an unusually rich diversity of habitats, from the rugged cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment to flat, dry rock plains called alvars, to various types of swampy wetlands.

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One of our chief claims to fame is the profusion of species of orchids found here. They’re not just tropical plants. There are, believe it or not, over 60 species in Ontario. Approximately 43 are found on the Bruce Peninsula, likely due to the area’s variety of habitats. They are picky plants that often grow along with specific fungi, making orchids almost impossible to transplant. The plant uses the fungus to obtain nutrients and vice versa in a symbiotic relationship.

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Orchids aren't the only unusual plants on the Bruce. It is also home to about half the world's dwarf lake iris, and most of Canada's stock of Indian plantain. The peninsula supports more than 20 kinds of ferns, including the rare Northern Holly Fern.

Perhaps the most unusual plant find on the Bruce is the ancient cliff-edge ecosystem discovered by Dr.Doug Larson (see "Ancient Forest Discovered" in the "What´s New" section).

Wildlife

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Commonly seen wildlife on The Bruce Peninsula includes chipmunk, squirrel, raccoon, porcupine, snowshoe hare, skunk, white-tailed deer, snakes and frogs. Black bear, fox, fisher, martin and the Massasauga rattlesnake are not as commonly seen.

Black bears are spectacular and beautiful creatures, and where they have had little contact with humans they tend to avoid us. Bears are strongly attracted to human food and garbage, and can lose their natural inclination to avoid us if they become accustomed to eating our garbage and carelessly stored food. These "denaturalized" bears can become a serious problem.

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To help avoid a negative encounter when camping, store your food in your vehicle. If you are at a remote site, cache your food away from your site, or use a bear-proof container. Remember coolers and tents are not bear-proof. Pack out your garbage in sealed plastic bags. Never eat or keep food in your tent.

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The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, an endangered species, is now reduced to a few scattered populations. The snake was once found throughout Southern Ontario. When hiking in the area wear long pants or thick socks and boots. Always look where you are putting your hands and feet.

Bruce Peninsula National Park plays an important role in preserving suitable habitat for wildlife. If you plan to visit the area, take the time to learn more about the Black bear and the Massasauga rattlesnake, by contacting the park.