Habitat Conservation Plan Habitat Conservation Plan for the Town ...

Habitat Conservation Plan 23Habitat EnhancementIn some wetland areas, the surrounding habitat has already been degraded or lost andcould benefit from the planting of wetland and waterfowl “friendly” plants. A number ofaquatic plant species have the ability to remove large quantities of pollutants from water.These plants improve water condition by “uptaking” excessive amounts of nitrogen,phosphorous and carbon – substances associated with the occurrence of algal blooms –by storing them in plant tissues. Many “classic” beneficial plant species have limiteddistribution in Newfoundland, and should not be introduced to the sensitive ecosystem ofthe estuary without consideration of the potential consequences, including the possibilityof invasive plants out-competing native plant species.Often, the natural balance within an ecosystem can be changed when new species areintroduced. The relationships that develop between plants and animals may also changewithin a particular habitat. Introduced species are referred to as “exotic” species if theyare not native to an area. Competition naturally exists between organisms within anecosystem but the introduction of exotic, or nonnative, species can alter the balancewithin the ecosystem and have negative effects upon the natural populations within theregion and the ecosystem as a whole.Eelgrass is an aquatic grass is known to have significant valuefor waterfowl and providing habitat for many aquatic speciessuch as juvenile salmonids. It is possible to encourage thegrowth of Eelgrass beds through an inexpensive project ofhabitat management and shoot transplantation from a nearbydonor site. A thorough site evaluation would have to beinitiated in consultation with staff of the EHJV to assessthe topography of the coastal area, water salinity and substratesuitability before proceeding with the project. However,encouraging eelgrass bed establishment is a project that hasbeen successfully completed in a number of areas acrossCanada.Certain species of willow (Salix discolor) and alder (Alnus crispa) are native to the islandof Newfoundland, are found in areas of the Avalon Peninsula, and are renowned for theirhardiness, their ability to withstand tidal inundation and their extensive network of roots.Their ability to uptake excess nutrients from the water column would make these nativespecies an important addition to coastal shorelines. In addition to bank stabilizingproperties and nutrient uptake characteristics, willow and alder buds and shoots are animportant food source for small mammals like muskrat and snowshoe hare, and birdspecies like Ruffed Grouse and Grosbeaks.In terms of wetland plants that would be of dietary importance to waterfowl populations,three-square bulrush (Scirpus americanus), Salt Water Cord Grass (Spartina alterniflora),Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus) and Blue-joint Grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) are allnative to the island portion of Newfoundland and would all supply food to a number of