Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

More documents

Recommendations

Info

WETLANDS Wetlands act as living filters and sponges. They maintain high water quality by filtering out sediments and chemicals and supply clean water to important underground sources. They soak up water during periods of high precipitation, reduce the chances of flooding, and release water during times of drought. Wetlands are areas of high biodiversity and are home to a diverse number of species that require this habitat to live and survive. Thread-leaved Sundew Eastern Ribbonsnake Long’s Bulrush Golden Crest Blanding’s Turtle Maintain the natural vegetation around wetlands. Without this vegetation, your wetland will not be able to properly function as a living filter and sponge. This will result in decreased water quality and wildlife habitat. This vegetation will also allow the wetland to naturally expand and contract during wet and dry seasons. Having 100 m (330 feet) of natural vegetation around the wetlands on your property is ideal, however any amount is beneficial- the more the better. Do not infill wetlands, drain or divert their water, or drive vehicles in or near them. These practices alter the water flow (hydrology) through the area and reduce water quality by decreasing the wetlands natural sediment and pollution filtering capabilities. Off-highway or all-terrain vehicle use in wetlands crushes plants and compacts the soil; this creates hard, dry tracks that increase erosion and the chances of introducing invasive alien plant species. This makes it very difficult for native vegetation to grow back. Call the Department of Natural Resources (1-800-565-2224) if you observe anyone driving offhighway vehicles in wetlands or any sensitive area. Fines for driving vehicles in wetlands range from 500 to 2000 dollars. All wetland alterations require approval from Nova Scotia Environment (Appendix C). Do not build roads near or through wetlands. Contact Nova Scotia Environment (Appendix C) to determine whether any road building plans could negatively impact a wetland or watercourse, and to see if a permit is required. Roads impact wetlands by altering water movements, and result in road mortality when species try to reach areas cut off by the road. Resources: Wetkit: Tools for Working With Wetlands in Canada www.wetkit.net Provides information on wetlands and details on a number of wetland projects and resources in the province. 20
ESTUARIES Estuaries are coastal locations where fresh and salt water mix at the mouths of rivers entering into the ocean. Estuaries are regions of high biological diversity and contain unique species specially adapted to living in this environment. Eastern Lilaeopsis is an Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora species at risk that is found in estuaries. Any type of shoreline alteration requires a permit. Contact the Department of Natural Resources before you modify the shoreline area below the ordinary high water mark. Keep in mind that habitat around estuaries generally includes wetlands such as salt marshes and that any type of wetland alteration requires approval from Nova Scotia Environment (Appendix C). Eastern Lilaeopsis If you live or work near Eastern Lilaeopsis habitat take special precautions not to disturb or impact this species in estuaries at the mouth of the Phillip, LaHave, Medway, Annis, Roseway, and Tusket Rivers. Follow the lake shoreline practices outlined in this guide. These practices are applicable to any shoreline area including rivers and estuaries. Red Knot M. Crowley M. Crowley M. Crowley M. Crowley Eastern Lilaeopsis in July Under Saltwater Cordgrass Start of flower formation Estuary habitat 21 Resources: The Living By Water Project www.livingbywater.ca This website provides information, tips, and resources on how to work towards healthy freshwater and marine shoreline habitats across Canada. The publication “On the Living Edge: Your Handbook for Waterfront Living” is available to order for $15 in the online resources section (the BC version provides tips for both fresh and saltwater habitats).
Page 1 and 2: Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomo
Page 3 and 4: STEWARDS IN ACTION Checking for hat
Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTS Getting Started 1
Page 7 and 8: GETTING STARTED This landowner stew
Page 9 and 10: SPECIES AT RISK Thread-leaved Sunde
Page 11 and 12: RESEARCH and STEWARDSHIP: Working T
Page 13 and 14: SENSITIVE HABITATS Blanding’s Tur
Page 15 and 16: BLANDING’S TURTLE HABITAT Timelin
Page 17 and 18: LAKE SHORELINE HABITAT M. Crowley P
Page 19 and 20: NEW JERSEY RUSH Found along the edg
Page 21 and 22: HOW YOU CAN HELP ON YOUR LAND The f
Page 23 and 24: Do not infill, rake, or mow your la
Page 25: STEWARDSHIP STORIES: The Turners Sn
Page 29 and 30: LAWN and GARDEN Sometimes what we c
Page 31 and 32: STEWARDSHIP STORIES: Carter Feltham
Page 33 and 34: Stay well away from the water when
Page 35 and 36: Avoid This Try This ON-SITE SEWAGE
Page 37 and 38: MOTORIZED VEHICLES Motorized vehicl
Page 39 and 40: MOTORIZED WATER VEHICLES: Drive at
Page 41 and 42: WILDLIFE and PETS We appreciate our
Page 43 and 44: INVASIVE FISH and PROHIBITED BAIT S
Page 45 and 46: FORESTRY PRACTICES Forestry practic
Page 47 and 48: NOVA SCOTIA WOODLOT OWNER OF THE YE
Page 49 and 50: AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES Agricultural
Page 51 and 52: Resources: Water on the Farm: Benef
Page 53 and 54: RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Humans are
Page 55 and 56: NSNT NSNT The Nova Scotia Nature Tr
Page 57 and 58: Eastern Ribbonsnake Thamnophis saur
Page 59 and 60: THREATENED M. Crowley S. Boates M.
Page 61 and 62: APPENDIX C: Contact Information Bla
Page 63 and 64: APPENDIX D: Permits and Development
Page 65 and 66: GLOSSARY Alien Species: Animals and
Page 67: Acknowledgements American Marten Ow

Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?