Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk
Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk
Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk
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WETLANDS<br />
Wetl<strong>and</strong>s act as living filters <strong>and</strong> sponges. They maintain high w<strong>at</strong>er quality by filtering<br />
out sediments <strong>and</strong> chemicals <strong>and</strong> supply clean w<strong>at</strong>er to important underground sources.<br />
They soak up w<strong>at</strong>er during periods of high precipit<strong>at</strong>ion, reduce the chances of flooding,<br />
<strong>and</strong> release w<strong>at</strong>er during times of drought. Wetl<strong>and</strong>s are areas of high biodiversity <strong>and</strong> are<br />
home to a diverse number of species th<strong>at</strong> require this habit<strong>at</strong> to live <strong>and</strong> survive.<br />
Thread-leaved Sundew<br />
Eastern Ribbonsnake<br />
Long’s Bulrush<br />
Golden Crest<br />
Bl<strong>and</strong>ing’s Turtle<br />
Maintain the n<strong>at</strong>ural veget<strong>at</strong>ion around wetl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
Without this veget<strong>at</strong>ion, your wetl<strong>and</strong> will not be able to properly function as a living filter <strong>and</strong> sponge.<br />
This will result in decreased w<strong>at</strong>er quality <strong>and</strong> wildlife habit<strong>at</strong>. This veget<strong>at</strong>ion will also allow the wetl<strong>and</strong><br />
to n<strong>at</strong>urally exp<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> contract during wet <strong>and</strong> dry seasons. Having 100 m (330 feet) of n<strong>at</strong>ural veget<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
around the wetl<strong>and</strong>s on your property is ideal, however any amount is beneficial- the more the better.<br />
Do not infill wetl<strong>and</strong>s, drain or divert their w<strong>at</strong>er, or drive vehicles in or near them.<br />
These practices alter the w<strong>at</strong>er flow (hydrology) through the area <strong>and</strong> reduce w<strong>at</strong>er quality by decreasing<br />
the wetl<strong>and</strong>s n<strong>at</strong>ural sediment <strong>and</strong> pollution filtering capabilities. Off-highway or all-terrain vehicle use<br />
in wetl<strong>and</strong>s crushes plants <strong>and</strong> compacts the soil; this cre<strong>at</strong>es hard, dry tracks th<strong>at</strong> increase erosion <strong>and</strong><br />
the chances of introducing invasive alien plant species. This makes it very difficult for n<strong>at</strong>ive veget<strong>at</strong>ion to<br />
grow back. Call the Department of N<strong>at</strong>ural Resources (1-800-565-2224) if you observe anyone driving offhighway<br />
vehicles in wetl<strong>and</strong>s or any sensitive area. Fines for driving vehicles in wetl<strong>and</strong>s range from 500<br />
to 2000 dollars. All wetl<strong>and</strong> alter<strong>at</strong>ions require approval from Nova Scotia Environment (Appendix C).<br />
Do not build roads near or through wetl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
Contact Nova Scotia Environment (Appendix C) to determine whether any road building plans could<br />
neg<strong>at</strong>ively impact a wetl<strong>and</strong> or w<strong>at</strong>ercourse, <strong>and</strong> to see if a permit is required. Roads impact wetl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
by altering w<strong>at</strong>er movements, <strong>and</strong> result in road mortality when species try to reach areas cut off by the<br />
road.<br />
Resources:<br />
Wetkit: Tools for Working With Wetl<strong>and</strong>s in Canada<br />
www.wetkit.net<br />
Provides inform<strong>at</strong>ion on wetl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> details on a number of<br />
wetl<strong>and</strong> projects <strong>and</strong> resources in the province.<br />
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