Wetland Destruction - Losing Important Habitat
Canada is facing a crisis. Relentless wetland destruction is continuing unabated in many areas.
Up to 70 per cent of wetlands have disappeared in settled areas of Canada.
The reason for this loss and degradation is the conversion of natural habitat to other uses, such as:
- Agriculture
- Urban sprawl
- Industrial development
- Infrastructure such as roads
- Oil/gas and other resource extraction
Wetland Ecosystems
The loss of wetland ecosystems is significantly deteriorating Canada's environment.
Research in Manitoba's Broughton's Creek watershed shows how quickly wetland destruction in Canada is occuring. In 1968, the area was rich with wetlands. Less than 40 years later, these precious resources have nearly vanished. It's a shocking trend that needs to be stopped...before it's too late.
A portion of the Broughton's Creek watershed in 1968 and 2005 showing wetland drainage in the area. (Click images or links below to enlarge.)
(Blue=wetlands, red hatch=drained wetlands, red lines=drainage ditches)
Wetland habitat, like that found in the Broughton's Creek watershed, is crucial to waterfowl and other wildlife. These ecosystems provide essential environmental benefits by removing pollutants from water and protecting against harmful droughts, floods and erosion. Wetlands also play an important part in the climate change solution by helping reduce greenhouse gases.
We need your h elp to stop wetland loss.
Wetlands are a critical solution to Canada's deteriorating environment. Your support will help us continue our on-the-ground conservation and protection efforts where they are needed most.