Wetlands Midterm Flashcards
Define ‘ecotone’
A transitional region in a landscape where two ecosystems meet and border each other, containing unique characteristics of its own as well as sharing characteristics from both ecosystens
What are three defining characteristics of a wetland?
- Wet for en ecologically significant period of time
- Presence of hydric soils, which are soils that are waterlogged long enough to be anaerobic
- Hydrophytic plants that are adapted to living within these saturated soils
- Water table is high or even near the surface
List 5 of the 10 values of wetlands
- Aesthetic value
- Economic value
- Nutrient cycling
- Flood control
- Groundwater recharge
- Habitat for waterfowl
- Pollution control (heavy metals and nutrients)
- Carbon sequestration
- Erosion control
- Recreation Value
What is the Ramsar treaty and its purpose
An international treaty that outlines the protection of wetlands of international importance
Where and what year was the Ramsar treaty initiated
Ramsar treaty was initiated in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar
How many Ramsar sites are inCanada
37 sites, 3 in BC
How many Ramsar sites are in BC
- Fraser River Delta
- Creston valley watershed
- Columbia wetlands
In which Canadian Wetland Region are the BC Ramsar sites located
Mountain region
The glacial history of which Canadian wetland region resulted in an abundance of wetlands, including a region known as the duck factory of Canada?
Prairie region
List 4 reasons why wetlands were historically drained
- Aesthetical value for resell
- Reduction of livestock illnesses
- Planting can begin earlier
- Easier to plow
- Reduction of mosquitoes (assumed)
- Can grow plants that don’t grow well in wet soils (corn/wheat)
- Lengthens Growing season
- Increase in productivity
Describe the differences between the 3 wetland types (created, restored, constructed)
Created: a wetland made to achieve a conservation objective
Restored: a previously degraded wetland that has been restored, albeit with typically reduced area and functionality
Constructed: a wetland that was built to achieve an engineering objective such as wastewater treatment and storm water storage
What two steps are key when determining what type of wetland to build
Check for groundwater, usually with a 1-2m deep auger hole
Check for clay content (make a soil ribbon)
Slope of <6%
Should you be concerned with soil texture when building a groundwater wetland
No, groundwater wetlands do not require clay content as their water content will be maintained by groundwater.
What are 4 clues for where a wetland may have been in the past
Drainage tiles found in the soils Hydric soils Presence of hydrophytes i.e reed canary grass Verbal and recorded history Pump stations Unvegetated spots in fields
What are a.) the three mineral components of soils and b.) what test should be done on site to determine if soil is suitable
a. ) silt, clay and sand
b. ) Soil ribbon test, the length of the ribbon will determine the clay content of the surrounding soils i.e 5cm is good, below 3.8cm will require a liner
Name 4 benefits that the guichon wetland provides
Aesthetic value
Nutrient retention to prevent nutrient pollution into the creek
Habitat connectivity with the creek
Stormwater control
Describe 3 features of the guichon wetland wetland that were intentionally included
LWD within the wetland
An island made from remaining soils dug up by the excavator
Wildlife tree on said island
What is your response to the idea that the guichon wetland has failed
This wetland was designed to be ephemeral and as such, will not be wet constantly. This wetland still has ecosystem benefits for amphibians and will not be valuable habitat for american bullfrogs
