Wetlands are shallow, wet areas that support aquatic plants such as sedges, bulrushes, and cattails, as well as shrubs and trees. These areas provide habitat for waterfowl, fish, amphibians, and hundreds of invertebrate species. Wetlands cover five per cent of the surface area of Prince Edward Island. About 20 per cent of those wetlands are salt or tidal marshes, and considered to be among the most productive ecosystems on earth. Tidal marshes are common along the edges of bays and estuaries. The remaining 80 per cent of PEI wetlands are freshwater wetlands. These include open water ponds, marshes, small wet meadows, wooded swamps, and bogs. Wilson says that, in an era of climate change, there is growing recognition of the importance of wetlands to help protect the Island. “Tidal wetlands, such as salt marshes, protect us from the impacts of severe storm events, including waves and storm surges. They provide space for floodwaters to disperse and wave energy to decrease, protecting roads and buildings located further inland,” Wilson says. “Tidal wetlands also stabilize the shoreline, making it less vulnerable to erosion. Climate change makes these functions even more important.” “Not only do wetlands help us adapt to a changing climate, they’re also helping to combat the climate crisis. Wetlands store carbon in plants and sediments, helping [to] lower levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” Wilson notes. Wetlands and watercourses provide critical habitats for a vast number of fish, wildlife, and waterfowl. Wetlands also offer safe places for waterfowl to raise their young, and are important resting areas for migratory species. Wetlands purify water by trapping and breaking down contaminants, organic waste, and sediments. “This role is so important in Prince Edward Island, because we get all of our drinking water from the ground, and our fishing industry depends on healthy coastal environments,” says Wilson.
Wetlands perform a variety of important functions, such as:
• providing habitats for fish and wildlife species
• contributing to the productivity of rivers and estuaries •forming a vital link in the water cycle by acting as groundwater recharge, discharge, and storage • acting as water purification systems by trapping and breaking down contaminants such as manmade chemicals, organic waste, and sediments • acting as carbon sinks, thereby helping to reduce greenhouse gases • providing recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, birdwatching, and canoeing
sensitive ecosystems, and we are only recently starting to understand just how important they are. “The first thing we recommend people do when buying, selling, or developing property is to be aware of these sensitive features. Go online and check the inventory in PEI Land OnLine. If you have any questions about the size or exact location of these sensitive features, or think you may need a permit, come talk to us,” Wilson says.
• sustaining food and habitats for commercial fish species
Advertisement paid for by the Province of Prince Edward Island
SPRING 2020 www.pei-living.ca
65
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker