John Lusby Marsh National Wildlife Area Management Plan, 2016: chapter 5

5 Management approaches

This section and the following table contain a description of some of the possible approaches that could be used in the management of the John Lusby Marsh National Wildlife Area (NWA). However, management actions will be determined during the annual work planning process and will be implemented as human and financial resources allow.

A potential threat to the John Lusby Marsh NWA is coastal erosion and sea-level rise, especially if sea-level rise increases the rate of coastal erosion and sediment accretion does not compensate for rising water levels. Any on-site protection against this coastal erosion is significantly cost-prohibitive and would not likely be practical. Furthermore, such actions may not allow natural processes to occur.

Table 4: Management approaches for John Lusby Marsh National Wildlife Area
Management challenge or threat	Goal and objective(s)	Management approaches (Actions, Including level of priority)^a
Tourism activities (some activities being illegal within the NWA) such as recreational beach use, camping and open campfires may become a cumulative environmental effect and present significant disturbances to nesting birds.	Goal 1: Conservation of salt marsh habitat so that populations of migratory birds and resident flora and fauna are sustained. Objective 1.b: Control prohibited activities in the NWA.	Communicate with local tourism operators, which use the area for recreation, and the provincial tourism department in order to inform them of the protected status of John Lusby Marsh NWA and of possible cumulative environmental impacts that this aspect of the industry has on sensitive habitats. (1)
Wind power farms are expanding.	Goal 1: Conservation of salt marsh habitat so that populations of migratory birds and resident flora and fauna are sustained. Objective 1.a: Understand and, where possible, mitigate potential conflicts with wildlife.	Provide expert advice through the Environmental Assessment process. (1)
Tidal power production is an anticipated activity in the Bay of Fundy that could change tidal dynamics. Although current proposals are considered less invasive, actual impacts on the mud flats and adjacent wetlands are largely unknown.	Goal 1: Conservation of salt marsh habitat so that populations of migratory birds and resident flora and fauna are sustained. Objective 1.a: Understand and, where possible, mitigate potential conflicts with wildlife.	Monitor changes to the John Lusby Marsh NWA through annual aerial photography interpretation. (1) Support academic research on impacts of new technologies on coastal habitat. (2)
Increased rates of sea-level rise could put additional pressures on coastal habitats, particularly unprotected salt marshes.	Goal 1: Conservation of salt marsh habitat so that populations of migratory birds and resident flora and fauna are sustained. Objective 1.a: Understand and, where possible, mitigate potential conflicts with wildlife.	Monitor changes to the John Lusby Marsh NWA through annual aerial photography interpretation. (1) Support academic research on impacts of new technologies on coastal habitat. (2) Periodic aerial photography over the past 65 years allows for comparison and evaluation of the rate of change due to erosion of John Lusby Marsh NWA. (2)
Fragile wetlands can be irreparably damaged by off-road vehicle use.	Goal 1: Conservation of salt marsh habitat so that populations of migratory birds and resident flora and fauna are sustained. Objective 1.b: Control prohibited activities in the NWA.	Document and report the number and nature of incidents where evidence of illegal activities exists within the NWA to the Wildlife Enforcement Division. (1)
Urban expansion may result in habitat loss and landscape fragmentation.	Goal 1: Conservation of salt marsh habitat so that populations of migratory birds and resident flora and fauna are sustained. Objectives 1.a: Understand and, where possible, mitigate potential conflicts with wildlife.	Liaise with private landowners and private and public programs that support habitat improvements (such as the Ducks Unlimited Canada small wetland development programs). (1) Maintain a clearly defined border for the protected area. (1) Support maintenance of wildlife habitat on private lands. (1)

^a Level of Priority: 1 (from 0 to 3 years); 2 (from 4 to 6 years); 3 (from 7 to 10 years)

5.1 Habitat management

5.1.1 Forests

There are only two tiny forest blocks (2 ha) within the John Lusby Marsh NWA. Each patch of woods is located immediately upland of the Burgess and Russell impoundments. This forested habitat provides a valuable buffer to the adjacent wetlands. No management is presently required within these existing forest parcels. Reforestation of adjacent land will be initiated on areas not providing habitat for grassland birds.

5.1.2 Impoundments

The two controlled water level impoundments (7 and 13 ha, Table 3) maintained by Ducks Unlimited Canada, and jointly managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service, provide important freshwater and brackish water habitat adjacent to the salt marsh. These wetlands provide habitat for waterfowl and shorebird species not always associated with salt marsh habitat. To monitor habitat change, aerial photographs of these wetlands is carried out annually. Regular maintenance of dykes and control structures will be continued on this infrastructure.

5.2 Wildlife management

No wildlife population management activities are required at John Lusby Marsh NWA.

5.3 Monitoring

Annual site inspections record the conditions of the boundary line, access points, and evidence of trespassing and encroachments. Recent wildlife monitoring is lacking, and the reduction in spring use by Canada Geese is largely anecdotal. A new survey of bird use within the two impoundments, as well as a survey of staging spring and fall waterfowl numbers, is recommended, especially with the development of existing and proposed wind farms in the vicinity.

Effective and efficient monitoring requires careful planning and a coordinated approach. Monitoring will also be carried out in a manner that contributes to meeting species at risk recovery strategy and action plan objectives. Ongoing monitoring needs are as follows:

Bird distribution and abundance within the salt marsh and brackish impoundments;
Staging spring and fall waterfowl numbers within the NWA;
Habitat change (the distribution and size of ecological communities) should be monitored using aerial photography and field-based vegetation surveys collected annually.

5.4 Research

Research activities will be considered for permitting when the results obtained through research have the potential to provide data and information on the following topics of interest:

Waterfowl and shorebird distribution and abundance;
Habitat use and habitat selection studies for key species and habitats;
The effects of climate change and variability on water level management;
The effects of wind energy (turbine) development on the behaviour, distribution and survivorship of migratory birds.

To obtain a permit to conduct research within the John Lusby NWA and to receive instructions on guidelines for research proposals, please contact:

National Wildlife Area - Research Request
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
17 Waterfowl Lane, P.O. Box 6227
Sackville NB E4L 1G6
Permit requests should be directed to: Permit.Atl@ec.gc.ca

5.5 Public information and outreach

The unique character of John Lusby Marsh NWA (and nearby Chignecto NWA) and its significance as a Wetland of International Importance are featured under the national Heritage to Protect poster series. A limited number will be available to educators, students and the general public on request.

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Date modified:: 2017-07-20

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