Oak Lake Sandhills, Manitoba (Photo by NCC)
Habitat & species
This area supports a high diversity of habitat types which, in turn, create a hotspot for biodiversity.
Wetlands sprawl across the central portion of the area, supporting globally significant waterbird concentrations.
Lush marshes meet rolling sandhills, creating critical habitat for Manitoba’s only lizard, the endangered pairie skink. The surrounding prairie and sandhill slopes support rare plants such as prairie spiderwort, smooth goosefoot and hairy prairie-clover.
Threats
Many of the lands in this area have been cultivated and the wetlands continue to be drained. Recreation and petroleum development are increasing and invasive species such as leafy spurge provide an additional threat to the natural biodiversity.
