Variety in wetlands: packing a punch for nature
To some, it may be difficult to differentiate between a bog, marsh, swamp or fen: all different classes of wetlands. To others, it may seem that all wetlands are the same—mucky land and long, tall reeds. When in fact, wetlands are extremely important, diverse ecosystems, much more than meets the eye and unfortunately, currently under threat. These landscapes are one of the earth’s most impressive sources of ecosystem services: water filtration, carbon sequestration, water storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity production.
Wetlands are unique in many ways: not only do they represent the transition from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems, they also provide vital habitat for thousands of wildlife species. And, although some species may spend their whole life cycle in one location, “wetlands that are large or made up of diverse habitats have an increased ability to support wildlife in different stages of their life cycles,” says Greg Grabas, whose team at the Canadian Wildlife Service studies wetland ecology. “That is why it is important to conserve the size of a wetland as well as the quality and complexity of the habitat that it provides.”
A wetland spotted with lily pads in the foreground, long grasses in the distance and trees on the horizon. A blue, cloudless sky.
Photo Credit: Jack Hughes
Canada is home to approximately 25% of the world’s remaining wetlands, and just as wetlands differ from other ecosystems, like prairies or upland forests, there is also great variety within Canadian wetland form and function. Here are just a few types of wetlands found across Canada and some of their benefits:
- Urban wetlands provide an oasis for urban wildlife, and can act as a sponge, absorbing large amounts of rain and meltwater that the pavement covered landscape can no longer absorb;
- Prairie pothole wetlands in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta can help store water in times of flooding and drought and offer breeding grounds for waterfowl;
- Estuarine wetlands, where salt and freshwater mix, like the Grand Codroy Estuary in Newfoundland, help to support grass beds and rare vascular plants;
- Coastal wetlands, like the ones in the Great Lakes basin in Ontario, work to purify water, protect shorelines from wave erosion and serve as habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife; and
- Tidal wetlands, like those along the James Bay coast, provide favourable feeding areas for migratory birds. In southern James Bay, tidal wetlands cover much of the Hannah Bay and Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, with over 180 species of birds between the two! In fact, about 90 percent of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in Canada are located within wetland landscapes, providing a bountiful stopover on route for many of our avian friends’ migratory destinations.
Wetlands can be smaller than one hectare or as large as thousands of hectares! They can occur anywhere from the Arctic tundra to the warmer southern regions of Canada, on the edges of larger lakes and rivers, in wooded areas or sunny, open grasslands. They can be quiet and stark in the winter months and bustling with life and wildlife activity in the spring and summer.
Wetland soils and plants work together to filter, store and release water and absorb nutrients from incoming flows and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. From water purification and storage to greenhouse gas storage, wetlands really pack a punch for nature.
When we talk about the beauty of Canada, we’re often referring to our people, our provinces and territories, or breathtaking scenery. But the next time you walk by a wetland, even though it might not look like much, take a moment to appreciate all its natural beauty and complexity. These wetlands, in all their glorious variety, are hard-working engines that help clean our water, buffer floods and fight against biodiversity loss and climate change.
Page details
- Date modified: