Conservation Projects Manitoba Manitoba Wetland Restoration Project 2010-11
Goals and Objectives
Some of the biggest threats to wildlife populations in Manitoba are the loss of wildlife habitat and changing climatic conditions. This proposal aims to directly address these threats by:
i. Restoring and permanently protecting 91 hectares (225 acres) of wetland habitat in Agro-Manitoba.
ii. Permanently protecting 810 hectares (2,000 acres) of existing wetlands and surround upland habitat.
iii. Introduction of ecological goods and services concept and payment to landowners.
iv. Climate change mitigation and adaptation.
v. Maximizing return on investment through leveraging of WHC funds and the rational targeting of priority vulnerable landscapes and areas of high waterfowl productivity potential.
Activities
This one-year project will focus on the delivery of perpetual CEs for new and existing wetland and upland habitat. With WHC and partner funds, MHHC will secure a minimum of 91 hectares of new habitat through wetland restoration projects (Figure 2) and secure a minimum of 810 hectares of existing habitat. These CEs will contribute directly to partner goals including those of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), the Province of Manitoba and community-based conservation districts.
Wetland restoration will occur through the placement of earthen plugs within drainage ditches. Plug heights will be such that water will be returned to historic levels. WHC funds will go towards capital, construction and delivery costs for wetland restorations.
MHHC staff will work closely with conservation districts throughout 2010/11 to identify and conduct topographic surveys of project locations in Agro-Manitoba. Once identified, MHHC staff will conduct initial site assessments including a detailed baseline vegetation inventory and survey of the project site, landowner contact and signing of CE contract. Through support from Manitoba, EG&S incentive payments will be made on top of regular CE payments for restored wetlands. MHHC will maintain personal landowner contact on a regular basis along with ongoing ground and aerial based monitoring of projects to detect possible violations of CE contracts.
Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC’s Contributions
The intensification of agricultural production in Manitoba continues to erode the habitat base. Land clearing for agricultural development and wetland drainage are the primary impacts. As average farm size increases, production efficiencies pursued by larger farm operations are accelerating wetland loss rates. WHC funds will be used, in conjunction with other MHHC partners, to restore and permanently protect a minimum of 91 hectares of former wetlands and a minimum of 810 hectares of existing wetland and upland habitat.
WHC funds will be applied specifically to the restoration of 91 hectares of wetlands. Wetland restorations will increase the productive potential for waterfowl in the landscape in which the restorations occur.
Restored wetlands will also result in enhanced climate change mitigation through the sequestration of approximately 500 tonnes of carbon per year (2.2 tonnes acre-1 year-1) . It is anticipated that a restored wetland will actively sequester carbon over a 40 year period. The net result of this project will be the sequestration of 20,000 tonnes of carbon. In addition to sequestering carbon, which works towards the mitigation of climate change, adaptation to predicted climate change effects will also occur. By storing water in newly restored wetlands, runoff will be reduced during the expected periods of intense storm activity and act as a water source and waterfowl habitat during times of drought.
A recent study conducted by Ducks Unlimited Canada on the Broughton Creek watershed indicated that historic wetland losses have resulted in a:
· 31% increase in nitrogen and phosphorus load
· 41% increase in sediment load
· 30% increase in water flow
Through the restoration of wetlands across southern Manitoba, MHHC, WHC and our other partners will begin to turn back the clock on these statistics.
Through the securement of at least 810 hectares of existing wetland and upland habitat, the project will ensure these lands are never drained, filled, cultivated or otherwise lost due to direct human activity. Secured wetlands will range from temporary (Class 2) through semi-permanent (Class 4) water bodies ; generally less than five hectares in size. This range of wetland types is crucial for breeding waterfowl in the prairie and parkland region and will add to the waterfowl production capacity in landscapes where securement occurs.
Benefits to Waterfowl, Wetlands-Associated Species, and/or Other Wildlife
At least 16 species of waterfowl and over 200 species of waterbirds, shorebirds and landbirds will benefit from these wetland conservation activities. A wide array of mammals, reptiles and amphibians will also benefits from habitats conserved through this project.
Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
i. Since 1990, MHHC has been a partner in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and currently delivers priority activities outlined in the 2007-2012 Manitoba Implementation Plan (MIP). Retention of existing, or restoration of previous, high value habitat, are key objectives of the MIP. The MIP has a five year goal of 750 wetland restoration projects and securement of 49,000 acres of wetland and upland habitat. A large portion of the CEs delivered as part of this project will be delivered within the MIP priority landscapes and work towards meeting NAWMP goals in the MIP.
ii. In December 2006, the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board submitted a plan to the Minister of Water Stewardship regarding ways to reduce nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg. One of the recommended actions (Recommendation 36.1) was to utilize wetlands as nutrient sinks and explore innovative options to preserve wetlands and cost sharing scenarios . Through project partners, MHHC will be able to restore wetlands, thereby reducing nutrients in waterways, and provide a pilot EG&S incentive.
iii. The 18 conservation districts of Manitoba are each developing integrated watershed management plans (IWMPs) as a tool for conservation programming in their respective areas. MHHC currently has projects established with seven districts and assists them in the implementation of their IWMPs when they include protection or restoration of natural lands. Through this project, MHHC will continue to work closely with conservation districts and deliver CEs within their priority areas.
iv. The Province of Manitoba is actively pursuing mitigation techniques and strategies that will assist the Province in meeting its Kyoto objectives for 2012. This project will assist in the meeting of these objectives through the sequestration of approximately 500 tonnes of carbon per year for the next 40 years within wetlands restored because of this project and WHC support.
Project Location
The project area is within the glaciated prairie pothole region (PPR) of Manitoba. The PPR is dominated by small wetlands, typically one hectare in size or less. Approximately 95% of the landscape is privately owned, and agriculture, including a mix of grains, oilseeds and livestock, is the primary land use. Wetland loss since the beginning of European settlement has been estimated at 71% in the PPR . More recent wetland loss rates estimated for Manitoba’s Aspen Parkland and Boreal Transition regions have been estimated at 4% from 1985 to 1999 . The general project location is found within in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion (as defined by Manitoba Conservation) of the Prairie Ecozone. From a continental, all-bird conservation framework perspective, the project area is located in BCR 11, the Prairie Potholes.
Program delivery will be focussed within the NAWMP program area, covering the majority of Agro-Manitoba (Figure 1). A large portion of wetland restorations and easements under this proposal will be delivered within NAWMP target landscapes as identified in the 2007-2012 Manitoba Implementation Plan.
The Manitoba NAWMP Implementation Plan emphasizes landscapes identified by the NAWMP Decision Support System (DSS) as being of high value for waterfowl (greater than 30 waterfowl pairs/mi2). Wetlands and associated habitats at risk of drainage and/or conversion to agricultural production will be targeted. Where possible, WHC funds will be delivered in areas in where integrated watershed management plans are currently being developed and implemented by partnering organizations, conservation districts.