PTERIDOPHYTES
Daniel F. Brunton
IMPACT IN HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Pteridophytes have a modest impact on economic activities in the Mixedwood Plains Ecozone. These effects are primarily confined to recreational pursuits. Filion et al. (1989) note that overall non-consumptive, recreational use of wildlife resources constitutes a substantial economic contribution to Canada. The recreational study of pteridophytes has long constituted one of the most popular areas of amateur botanical investigation. Such interest has supported the continuing production of regional status and identification guides (Cobb 1963, Wherry 1972, Lellinger 1985, Lamoureux 1993, etc. ) and provided the inspiration for specialized ecotourism in areas like the Bruce Peninsula portion of the Niagara Escarpment. Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophlluum) is the symbol and forms the logo for the Bruce Trail which has provided recreational access along the Niagara Escarpment for 30 years (Soper 1962).
This diverse and ancient group of plants has also been and remains an important scientific resource for investigations of plant evolution, taxonomy, genetics and biogeography (cf. Haufler 1989).