1. Impacts on Wetlands due to theImpacts on Wetlands due to the
Growth of EdmontonGrowth of Edmonton
and the Surrounding Areaand the Surrounding Area
By: Miles SysonBy: Miles Syson

2. Impacts on Wetlands due to the GrowthImpacts on Wetlands due to the Growth
of Edmontonof Edmonton
and the Surrounding Areaand the Surrounding Area
 Classifying wetlandsClassifying wetlands
 Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts
 BenefitsBenefits
 Destroying wetlandsDestroying wetlands
 Creating WetlandsCreating Wetlands
 Protecting Edmonton’sProtecting Edmonton’s
EnvironmentEnvironment

3. Classifying Wetlands-BogsClassifying Wetlands-Bogs
 Raised surface of peatRaised surface of peat
 Nurturance from precipitationNurturance from precipitation
 Bog water is usually pH 4.0 - 4.8Bog water is usually pH 4.0 - 4.8
 Treed with black spruceTreed with black spruce
 Covered with Sphagnum mossCovered with Sphagnum moss
and ericaceous shrubsand ericaceous shrubs
Bog Wetland http://www.conifers.org/pi/la/laricina.htm

4. Classifying Wetlands-FensClassifying Wetlands-Fens
 Changing water table with dissolved mineralsChanging water table with dissolved minerals
 Water flows through channels, pools, and other open bodiesWater flows through channels, pools, and other open bodies
 Trees and moss hummocks appear on the driest fenTrees and moss hummocks appear on the driest fen
 Poor fens usually have SphagnumPoor fens usually have Sphagnum mosses and ericaceous shrubsmosses and ericaceous shrubs
 Moderately rich fens are dominated by sedges and brown mossesModerately rich fens are dominated by sedges and brown mosses
Fen Wetland http://issues.albertawilderness.ca/ML/IMG/FenSE_SBray.jpg

5. Classifying Wetlands-SwampsClassifying Wetlands-Swamps
 Over 30% is tall woody vegetationOver 30% is tall woody vegetation
 Hummock surface 20cm above average summerHummock surface 20cm above average summer
groundwater levelgroundwater level
 The underlying soils range from clays to sandsThe underlying soils range from clays to sands
 Soil rangeSoil range
 Rich conditions pH above 7.0Rich conditions pH above 7.0
 Poor conditions pH 4.5 or ↓Poor conditions pH 4.5 or ↓
 Swaps are generally shaded and containSwaps are generally shaded and contain
vegetation that can grow in shadevegetation that can grow in shade
Swamp Wetland www.sticksite.com/stikhunt.htm

6. Classifying Wetlands-MarshClassifying Wetlands-Marsh
Water levels frequently change due to:Water levels frequently change due to:
 Flooding, evaporation, groundwaterFlooding, evaporation, groundwater
recharge, and seepagerecharge, and seepage
Marshes receive water from:Marshes receive water from:
 Surface runoff, stream inflow,Surface runoff, stream inflow,
precipitation, and storm surgesprecipitation, and storm surges
Marsh vegetation contains:Marsh vegetation contains:
 Aquatic plants in open waterAquatic plants in open water
 Rushes, reeds, sedges, and shrubsRushes, reeds, sedges, and shrubs
near the waters edgenear the waters edge
Marsh Wetland www.surreywildlifetrust.co.uk

7. Classifying Wetlands-Shallow WaterClassifying Wetlands-Shallow Water
WetlandsWetlands
 Similar gaseous exchange, oxidation, and decomposition to shorelinesSimilar gaseous exchange, oxidation, and decomposition to shorelines
 Nutrient levels influenced byNutrient levels influenced by
 Water flow, underlying materials, and plant communitiesWater flow, underlying materials, and plant communities
 In Semi-arid regions shallow waters dry up, leaving alkaline salt depositsIn Semi-arid regions shallow waters dry up, leaving alkaline salt deposits
 Open water occupies 75%Open water occupies 75%
 Sometimes calledSometimes called
 Ponds, pools, oxbows, sloughs, or channelsPonds, pools, oxbows, sloughs, or channels
Shallow Water Wetlands www.homepage.usask.ca

8. Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts
 The City of Edmonton is Canada’sThe City of Edmonton is Canada’s
largest city for percentage oflargest city for percentage of
wetlands in its areawetlands in its area
 25% of North America’s duck25% of North America’s duck
population is dependent uponpopulation is dependent upon
Alberta’s wetlands for breedingAlberta’s wetlands for breeding
habitathabitat
Percentage of Wetlands in Edmonton Area http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca

9. City ImpactsCity Impacts
 Residential subdivisionsResidential subdivisions

Secondary and primary industrial subdivisionsSecondary and primary industrial subdivisions
 Developments cause fragmentation of wetlandsDevelopments cause fragmentation of wetlands
 Residential subdivisions many impacts:Residential subdivisions many impacts:
 Reduced animal diversityReduced animal diversity
 Increases in sedimentation and pollutantsIncreases in sedimentation and pollutants
 Human physical impact due to walking trailsHuman physical impact due to walking trails
 Domestic animals disturbing natural habitatsDomestic animals disturbing natural habitats
 Hydrological change of topographyHydrological change of topography
Environmental Impacts
City of Edmonton www.dansons.com

10. Benefits of WetlandsBenefits of Wetlands
Environment
 Clean out excess nutrients like Phosphorus andClean out excess nutrients like Phosphorus and
NitrogenNitrogen
 92 % of Phosphorus92 % of Phosphorus
 95 % of Nitrogen95 % of Nitrogen
 Invertebrates feed on harmful microbes and bacteriaInvertebrates feed on harmful microbes and bacteria
 Filter 90% of the bacteria in the waterFilter 90% of the bacteria in the water
 Trap 70% of sediments found in runoffTrap 70% of sediments found in runoff
Cantonments Retained or Removed by Wetlands www.ducks.ca

11. Benefits of WetlandsBenefits of Wetlands
Wetlands in UseWetlands in Use
 Around the world constructed wetlands have been used to treat wastewaterAround the world constructed wetlands have been used to treat wastewater
for over 50 yearsfor over 50 years
 Help control floods by storing large amounts of waterHelp control floods by storing large amounts of water
 If destroyed, flooding and floodwater damage increases considerablyIf destroyed, flooding and floodwater damage increases considerably
Ekeby Wetland Stockholm Sweden www.vattenavlopp.info/vatmark/wetland.htm

12. Benefits of WetlandsBenefits of Wetlands
EconomicEconomic
Carbon storageCarbon storage
 $350 billion$350 billion
Biodiversity, flood control and water filteringBiodiversity, flood control and water filtering
 $80.5 billion$80.5 billion
HuntingHunting
 $15 million in Alberta and $92 million in Canadian$15 million in Alberta and $92 million in Canadian
Annual value of all benefits for one hectare of wetlandAnnual value of all benefits for one hectare of wetland
 $6,000 and $25,000$6,000 and $25,000

13. Destroying WetlandsDestroying Wetlands
Why Wetlands areWhy Wetlands are
Destroyed?Destroyed?
Need for landNeed for land
 In 1982 Edmonton annexation landIn 1982 Edmonton annexation land
growing from 350 kmgrowing from 350 km22
to 700 kmto 700 km22
 In 2001, 57% of the City wasIn 2001, 57% of the City was
urbanizedurbanized
Land leftLand left
 InfrastructureInfrastructure
 Residential subdivisionsResidential subdivisions
 Industrial subdivisionsIndustrial subdivisions
Land Uses in the Edmonton Area
(Alberta Environmental Network, 2001, p.16)

14. Destroying WetlandsDestroying Wetlands
Changing ViewsChanging Views
Sections 3 and 4 of theSections 3 and 4 of the Public Land ActPublic Land Act
 Land developers must obtain approval to alter any water sourceLand developers must obtain approval to alter any water source
Sustainable Development PlanSustainable Development Plan
 Developers must make a natural site assessmentDevelopers must make a natural site assessment
In Theory GreatIn Theory Great
 Alberta's slack attitude with the environment, makes Land Act a small hurdle forAlberta's slack attitude with the environment, makes Land Act a small hurdle for
land developerland developer
Recent Year’sRecent Year’s
 Ducks Unlimited, Beaver Hills Watershed Group, and the City of Edmonton haveDucks Unlimited, Beaver Hills Watershed Group, and the City of Edmonton have
helped to change Alberta’s stance on the environmenthelped to change Alberta’s stance on the environment
 Companies such as EBA Engineering have had a positive impact on wetlandsCompanies such as EBA Engineering have had a positive impact on wetlands

15. Destroying WetlandsDestroying Wetlands
Building Must Go OnBuilding Must Go On
Reducing damageReducing damage
 EBA engineering does this by a 3 cell filtration systemEBA engineering does this by a 3 cell filtration system
1.Deep water cleaning1.Deep water cleaning 2.Pollution treatment2.Pollution treatment 3.Slow filtration3.Slow filtration

16. Destroying WetlandsDestroying Wetlands
No net loss policyNo net loss policy
2 Major problems2 Major problems
 The watershed of the North Saskcawane RiverThe watershed of the North Saskcawane River
 The act does not say it has to meet the same functionThe act does not say it has to meet the same function
North Saskatchewan Watershed www.Wikipedia.com

17. Creating WetlandsCreating Wetlands
Why Wetlands are Created?Why Wetlands are Created?
Two reasonsTwo reasons
1.1. Constructing wetlands for flood prevention or water treatmentConstructing wetlands for flood prevention or water treatment
2.2. Building compensation natural wetland for one that were destroyedBuilding compensation natural wetland for one that were destroyed
 30 constructed wetlands are use in residential areas to control water runoff30 constructed wetlands are use in residential areas to control water runoff
Methods in Creating WetlandsMethods in Creating Wetlands
Guidelines for the Approval and Design of Natural and Constructed Treatment Wetlands
for Water Quality Improvement
Wastewater Wetland www.ci.thousand-oaks.ca.us
Wastewater Wetland cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu/water.html

18. Creating WetlandsCreating Wetlands
After wetland builtAfter wetland built
Wetlands monitored for 5-10yearsWetlands monitored for 5-10years
New wetland are compared to 1-2 benchmark wetlandsNew wetland are compared to 1-2 benchmark wetlands
What is monitoredWhat is monitored
 Vegetation cover and survivabilityVegetation cover and survivability
 Species comparisonSpecies comparison
 Density distributionDensity distribution
 Wild life usageWild life usage
 Water quality, temp, Ph, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, turbidityWater quality, temp, Ph, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, turbidity
Monitoring Restored Wetland
www.potomacwatershed.net
Biological Monitoring
www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org
Waterfowl Survey www.ducks.ca
Wetland Research www.ducks.ca

19. Protecting Edmonton’s EnvironmentProtecting Edmonton’s Environment
Edmonton's ProgramsEdmonton's Programs
Contaminate site policyContaminate site policy
 Esso gas station on White AveEsso gas station on White Ave
Stronger DeterrentsStronger Deterrents
 Zoning bylaws for natural areasZoning bylaws for natural areas
Natural Areas Reserve FundNatural Areas Reserve Fund
 NW 384NW 384
 1.5 million annually totaling 10.51.5 million annually totaling 10.5
millionmillion
 6 sites presently being looked at6 sites presently being looked at
E CAP ProgramE CAP Program
 1st program of its kind starting in1st program of its kind starting in
EdmontonEdmonton
 Help pay for donated landHelp pay for donated land
The Lois Hole Centennial Provincial ParkThe Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
 Total of 1421 hectaresTotal of 1421 hectares
 Globally recognized by Birdlife InternationalGlobally recognized by Birdlife International
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park www.pbase.com

20. ConclusionConclusion
 Classifying wetlandsClassifying wetlands
 Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts
 BenefitsBenefits
 Destroying wetlandsDestroying wetlands
 Creating WetlandsCreating Wetlands
 Protecting Edmonton’sProtecting Edmonton’s
EnvironmentEnvironment

21. ReferencesReferences
Aquatic Environments. (2002). Retrieved January 31, 2007, fromAquatic Environments. (2002). Retrieved January 31, 2007, from http://http://
www.aquatic.uoguelph.ca/wetlands/wetlandframes.htmwww.aquatic.uoguelph.ca/wetlands/wetlandframes.htm
City of Edmonton. (2006). Edmonton and Area Land Trust. Retrieved January 31, 2007City of Edmonton. (2006). Edmonton and Area Land Trust. Retrieved January 31, 2007
City of Edmonton. (2002). Environmental Law Centre and Ducks Unlimited Canada. Edmonton: Environmental LawCity of Edmonton. (2002). Environmental Law Centre and Ducks Unlimited Canada. Edmonton: Environmental Law
Centre. Retrieved January 31, 2007Centre. Retrieved January 31, 2007
City of Edmonton. (2006). Environmental Policy. Retrieved January 31, 2007City of Edmonton. (2006). Environmental Policy. Retrieved January 31, 2007
City of Edmonton. (2006). Retrieved January 31, 2007, fromCity of Edmonton. (2006). Retrieved January 31, 2007, from www.edmonton.ca/Environment/ESP/2006_ESP.pdfwww.edmonton.ca/Environment/ESP/2006_ESP.pdf
Ducks Unlimited. (2006). Retrieved January 31, 2007, from http://www.ducks.ca/Ducks Unlimited. (2006). Retrieved January 31, 2007, from http://www.ducks.ca/
Grant PearsellGrant Pearsell,, from the City of Edmontonfrom the City of Edmonton
Gymnosperm Database .Retrieved March 24, 2007, from http://www.conifers.org/pi/la/laricina.htm
Hammer, D. A. (1992).Hammer, D. A. (1992). Creating Freshwater WetlnadsCreating Freshwater Wetlnads. Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers.. Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers.
Percy, D. R. (1993).Percy, D. R. (1993). Wetlands and the Law in the Prairie Provinces of CanadaWetlands and the Law in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Edmonton: Environmental Law Center (Alberta). Edmonton: Environmental Law Center (Alberta)
SocietySociety
Ray, P. M. (1972). The Living Plant (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Retrieved January 31, 2007Ray, P. M. (1972). The Living Plant (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Retrieved January 31, 2007
Retrieved March 23, 2007, from http://issues.albertawilderness.ca/ML/IMG/FenSE_SBray.jpg
Retrieved April 4, 2007, from www.sticksite.com/stikhunt.htm
Retrieved April 4, 2007, from www.surreywildlifetrust.co.uk
Retrieved April 4, 2007, from www.homepage.usask.ca
Retrieved April 5, 2007, fromRetrieved April 5, 2007, from www.dansons.com
Retrieved April 5, 2007, from www.vattenavlopp.info/vatmark/wetland.htm
Boughey, A. S. (1971). Fundamental Ecology. San Francisco: Intext Educational Publishers.Boughey, A. S. (1971). Fundamental Ecology. San Francisco: Intext Educational Publishers.
Rubec, C. D., Cox, K. W., & Patterson, J. H. (1993).Rubec, C. D., Cox, K. W., & Patterson, J. H. (1993). Policy for Wetland Conservation in CanadaPolicy for Wetland Conservation in Canada. Ottawa: North American. Ottawa: North American
Wetlands Conservation Council . Retrieved January 31, 2007Wetlands Conservation Council . Retrieved January 31, 2007
Sheldon Helbert from EBA engineeringSheldon Helbert from EBA engineering
The Provincial Museum of Albert. (1980). A Nature Guide to Alberta. Edmonton: Hurtig.The Provincial Museum of Albert. (1980). A Nature Guide to Alberta. Edmonton: Hurtig.
Retrieved January 31, 2007 Wikipedia. (2007).Retrieved January 31, 2007 Wikipedia. (2007).

22. Questions?Questions?