| Wetlands
are: |
| Areas that
are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water often
enough to support plants adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions. |
| Wetlands
are found all over the world |
| Wetlands
are up there with tropical rainforests for their productivity.
They are found all over the world—the only continent that
does not have wetlands is Antarctica. Canada is fortunate to
be home to more than 1,270,000 square kilometres (127 million
hectares) of wetlands. That’s nearly 25 per cent of all
the wetlands on Earth! |
| Wetlands
keep our water clean |
| Water quality
is one of the most important environmental issues facing Canada
and the world at large. As nature’s water filters, wetlands
play a key role in keeping our water clean. The many types of
plants, bacteria and animals that live in wetlands remove many
harmful impurities. |
| Wetlands
are valuable wildlife habitat |
| Wetlands
and their surrounding uplands are habitat for approximately
600 species of plants, animals and insects in Canada. This includes
mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and many invertebrates.
These species use wetlands as habitat for food, water, breeding
and nesting grounds, resting areas and shelter. |
| Wetlands
can help to reduce flooding |
| Often,
spring runoff and heavy rain can cause flooding. There is simply
too much water for the landscape to absorb. When wetlands are
lost, so is a natural storage area for water. Wetlands can help
to reduce the risk and severity of flooding by storing excess
water and slowing the flow. |
| Wetlands
are great places to have fun |
| Thanks
to their natural beauty and abundant wildlife, wetlands make
great places to relax and have fun. Activities like hiking,
wildlife watching, hunting, angling, camping and canoeing are
just some of the things people do in wetland areas. Visit a
wetland near you to see how you can enjoy the great outdoors. |
| Wetlands
can help treat wastewater |
| One of
the problems faced by society is how to properly dispose of
wastewater and sewage. Wetlands are so good at removing impurities
from water that they can help to treat and clean wastewater.
In fact, specially constructed treatment wetlands have been
used to treat wastewater in Europe for over 50 years. Several
communities and businesses in Canada now use wetlands to treat
their wastewater. |
| Wetlands
make great outdoor classrooms |
| Wetlands
are full of life and they make great places to learn about biology
and the environment! They are full of the ‘raw materials’
that make learning fun and effective. DUC has many education
programs that use wetlands as the ultimate ‘outdoor classroom’. |
Wetlands help to replenish groundwater |
| As wetlands
store excess water, they release it back into the environment.
Water held in wetlands seeps slowly back into the ground and
is purified and filtered. This supplies people with clean water.
|
| Wetlands
help to guard against erosion |
| Thanks
to the vegetation found in wetlands, these habitats can help
to protect against soil erosion. These plants stabilize the
soil, holding it in place against erosive forces. Plants break
up waves and currents that would otherwise impact on soil. By
trapping sediments found in the water, wetland plants also help
to reinforce soils against erosion. |
| Canada’s
wetlands continue to disappear |
|
Despite these many benefits that wetlands provide to people
and wildlife, they continue to be destroyed across Canada. As
much as 70 percent have been lost |
| |
