Feb 2, a noteworthy date, for what reason?

 Feb 2 is well-known for being Groundhog day. But is it really that important of a day to recognize? Will whether the groundhog sees its shadow or not, really be an accurate forecast of what is ahead for the remainder of winter?

I rather doubt it. 

Perhaps the best thing about the attention given to groundhog day is that it provides us something to talk about during this normally long period of winter, when many are patiently waiting for spring!

Perhaps a much more important day on Feb 2 is the recognition of it being World Wetlands Day. Wetlands include coastal marshes, flooded forests, wet prairies, bogs, peatlands, etc. Wetlands are some of the most important elements of nature for so many reasons. For example they are indirectly the source of our drinking water. They harbour thousands of native species, both plant and animal, many of which are declining and at risk. They prevent flooding. They filter out sediment and pollutants from entering the rivers and lakes. They store carbon.

Canada is home to about 70% of the world's freshwater wetlands. We have been blessed far more than we realize, yet wetlands are constantly under threat of increased pollution and loss. They are being invaded by aggressive non-native flora and fauna. They are an easy target for conversion to some other purpose, including agriculture/commercial/industrial/residential development.

This first photo shows what a normal creek system looks like.

This next photo shows the same creek system, from the same spot, during a high water flood event only 5 days earlier, due to the heavily drained/tiled lands upstream.

This next photo show the invasion of non-native Phragmites into a high quality wetland along Lake St. Clair.

Exploring accessible wetland areas are immensely important for a person's mental and physical well being. For example watching a sunrise or sunset is generally a healthy event for a persons mental health, but when viewing it in a wetland setting increases its value.

Mitchell's Bay North Shore Trail sunset

Chenal Ecarte sunset, north end of Bear Line

Sunrise from Erieau, looking towards Rondeau Bay

 The greatest amount of freshwater wetlands in Canada are in the far north. In Ontario this includes the Hudson Bay Lowlands as shown by these next two photos taken while I was on a wildlife survey project at Polar Bear Provincial Park in the early 1990s.

At the opposite end of the province is Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve at the southern tip of Pelee Island, with a small but quite functional and important wetland.

And in between, are many wetlands that feature that Canadian icon, the Canadian Beaver.

 The central parts of Ontario are well endowed with small lake/wetland complexes.

North of Huntsville

Other wetlands feature wildlife such as the Common Gallinule, a species easily heard, but not often seen.

Here, a young family skirts the edge of a cattail and Phragmites stand.

Rare species such as orchids occur in quality wetlands. This next photo shows a person (centre right) involved in a survey for the endangered Eastern Prairie White-fringed Orchid at a wetland in Chatham-Kent.....

Eastern Prairie White-fringed Orchid

Wet woodlands, often called woodland swamps, or just plain swamps, are common place.

Bickford Oak Woods Conservation Reserve

Rondeau Prov Park

Large wetlands along Lake St. Clair provide excellent habitat for migrating, as well as breeding, waterfowl.

St. Clair NWA

St. Clair NWA

Rondeau 

 

Let's give wetlands their due!!!

 

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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!