Marsh Wetland. Leora Berman
Over 84% of the water on the landscape in this region, is here because of the mighty beaver! Much of this water is in the form of wetlands. Wetland habitats form where water and land are in contact for more than 3 months of the year, giving way to unique wetland plants and soils. In turn, these plants and soils act like sponges and regulate water levels, providing extra springs in drought and soaking up excess flood waters in heavy rain events. Also, these wetland features are responsible for physical and chemical processes that filter and clean water supplies. In fact, the Mayans built wetland treatment systems for their septic waste. Wetlands are also the most diverse biomes on the earth and are essential strongholds for food webs and biodiversity, essential to over 70% of Ontario’s species’ survival.
The Land Between has mapped over 4000 previously uncharted wetlands in the region with the help of Kendra Chalmers of KC Geomatics, and support from Environment Canada and Climate Change, to complete the wetland database for Ontario. We offer site visits to teach landowners how to monitor and learn from these dynamic habitats, and how to enhance their function in support of rare birds, turtles, and amphibians. Contact us for more information. Learn more about wetlands by jumping into wetland wonder (brochure. June 2016)
