Celebrating Wetlands!

Most of you will already know that a few days ago, Feb 2, was Groundhog day, but did you also know that it was World Wetlands Day? Wetlands are some of the most misunderstood and abused natural habitats on earth. They provide and cleanse sources of fresh water that we all need. They prevent flooding, and who hasn't heard of the major floods occurring in so many areas. Yet wetlands are drained, filled in, and treated like a garbage dump etc.

Some of the most extensive wetlands on earth occur right here in Canada including major ones in Ontario. The Hudson Bay Lowlands stretch inland from Hudson Bay for several hundred kilometres, and extend from the Quebec border to the Manitoba border and beyond. I had the privilege of being up there doing wildlife surveys for two weeks in both 1990 and 1991. It is one thing to look at this area on a map, but quite another to spend several hours flying over it to get to one's destination, and realize how little of the area you have actually seen. Being on such a landscape and far removed from any semblance of civilization is an awesome experience.

 It was incredible, to say the least, with many dozens of species of wildlife nesting and migrating, including some that rarely show up in southern Ontario such as Pacific Loon and Parasitic Jaeger.

Pacific Loon near its nest

Parasitic Jaeger on its nest

While those wetlands are still relatively intact, there are constant threats to their survival and integrity. Resource development, especially mining, is constantly being explored. In addition the wetlands are being impacted by air borne contaminants that originated in the developed part of the world.

Farther south, the boreal forest of the Canadian Shield is dotted with wetlands.But even those, if they are close to an urban area, can be tainted. This next photo is in the vicinity of North Bay. At the far right of the photo you can see buildings. It is a commercial area, and there are things falling into the wetland. In another wetland nearby there is a auto wrecker/recycling depot immediately adjacent, and some of the material has fallen into the water.

 Beavers seem to get along reasonably well, as there are numerous beaver lodges. It doesn't hurt that the beaver pelts are not as valuable as they used to be!

Some of the most diverse wetlands in the entire country are here in southern, and especially southwestern Ontario. Most of the time, the term wetlands conjures up the idea of large areas of cattails, and rightly so. Wetlands along the coastal areas of the Great Lakes are some of the largest and most diverse wetlands.

Rondeau marsh, from the former tower, 2014

 This next image shows a wide angle view of the Rondeau marsh from the south beach in July of 1987.

St. Clair National Wildlife Area

 They are immensely valuable for fish, invertebrates and plants that cannot survive anywhere else. More visible is some of the bird life. Marsh Wrens are abundant and frequently heard but seldom seen.....

 .....as are Swamp Sparrows.

Much rarer are things like Black Terns, which nest on muskrat houses or exposed and mounded  mud flats.

 Least Bitterns are present in some of the larger and best quality wetlands, but are not plentiful and more often heard than seen.

 Common Gallinules are much more often heard than seen as well, as they give various squawks and hoots from the density of the vegetation.

 Once in awhile, a patient observer might get to see a family of them roaming from one patch of vegetation to another.

Various turtle species are abundant here.

Map Turtle

 Within the stand of cattails, sometimes some rare plants can be found. This pink flower emerging from the cattails is Swamp Rose Mallow.

 And depending on water levels at certain times of the year, Wild Rice can be found.

A single stem of Wild Rice, at right of centre, emerging from the cattails

 In good years, this annual plant can be fairly abundant.

 The next photo shows an almost solid stand of Wild Rice.

 Wild Rice isn't in the foreground, but is a solid stand in the back ground here.

 And in open water, there are floating plants of various water lily types. These plants with their floating leaves provide shade and coolness for the critters living below, and also a surface for things to attach themselves to.

 However all is not well with these wetlands. The non-native and very aggressive Common Reed, also known as Phragmites, can quickly take over a wetland becoming an almost solid stand. Wildlife generally does not adapt well to such an aggressive invader.

A solid stand of Phragmites

 Wetlands can be wooded, and these are appropriately known as 'swamps'. They are usually much smaller than the coastal wetlands, and once the trees are removed, can be easily drained and converted to agricultural crops. Unfortunately when that happens, it directly increases the risk of flooding nearby, since the sponge-like absorption of these wooded wetlands is no longer functional. Please keep that in mind next time the waters of a creek or river near you is in flood stage, an event that is becoming more and more frequent.

 Wetlands are clearly a valuable component of our natural environment to celebrate, enjoy and protect. Next time you drive by one or visit one, I hope you take a few moments to appreciate all they mean to our landscape and to us!