| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
A wetland is an area of land where the soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Where water occurs on the surface, marshes, bogs and swamps occur. In the Columbia Basin, there are: large numbers of small wetlands, bogs and ponds in the alpine and at higher elevations (Machmer et al. 2004); lesser numbers at mid elevations; and high numbers at low elevations, on the benches in the major valleys and on the floodplains of major rivers. Most bench wetlands are found in the Rocky Mountain Trench in the East Kootenay. Wetlands in the West Kootenay are very rare due to the lack of extensive bench lands in the valleys. There are floodplain wetlands along mid-elevation tributaries in each of the focal areas addressed in this plan (See Figure 3 for focal areas). At low elevations throughout the Basin there are extensive wetlands on the floodplains of the major rivers throughout the Basin. These were the largest and most productive wetlands pre-settlement and have been most affected by hydro-electric developments and other human activities. They are the focus of this Action Plan. Riparian habitat is defined as an area adjacent to a river or stream that differs from the surrounding uplands in the diversity of plant and animals found and in the overall productivity of the site. This occurs as a result of groundwater exchange, shading by trees and other proximity- related riparian habitat elements. Riparian areas occur in two forms in the Basin: riparian zones and floodplain riparian zones. Where mountain slopes decline steeply into water bodies there is a narrow riparian zone of vegetation that is affected by the nearby presence of water bodies. These zones occur along the edge of all major lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, but in most areas form a very narrow zone. There are floodplain areas throughout the Basin where flat areas occur along major rivers and streams. The floodplain riparian zone in such areas can be kilometres wide. These systems support three major riparian habitats. Wetlands occur on these floodplains where the water table is close to the surface and are generally classified as shallow water, marsh, swamps, bogs and fens. At slightly higher elevations, where the groundwater level is lower, wet meadow systems develop, dominated by sedges and grasses, interspersed with an over-story of shrub species. Higher still, where the ground is less saturated with water, riparian forests develop. Cottonwood stands dominate in many areas, although in some areas the final seral stage is conifer dominated. Along rivers the annual spring freshet and major flood events create conditions where cottonwood stands can dominate these stands for long periods. Together, these three major types form floodplain complexes where habitat types can change based on very minor changes in elevation. The ecological processes that drive each of these wetland types are different in each of the focal areas and these in turn, provide different options for conservation and enhancement. All of these systems provide important values to human society, including seasonal water storage, flood abatement, and, in some systems, net carbon storage. This plan targets six priority riparian and wetland habitat focal areas (see Figure 3): 1. Creston Valley; 2. Duncan, Lardeau and Revelstoke Valleys; 3. Elk Valley; 4. Robson Valley; 5. Slocan Valley; and 6. Upper Columbia Valley. These are areas where most remaining riparian and wetland habitat occurs, where significant investments have been made by FWCP, or where significant, known opportunities for investment occur. An overview of each of these focal areas is provided below along with recommended actions. The focal areas discussed here vary greatly in terms of both the functional processes that drive these systems and the impacts of human activity on these systems. This Wetland and Riparian Action Plan focuses on the securement, creation and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas. Inventory, monitoring and the development of management plans are a lower priority but are often required before actions on these three priority actions can proceed effectively. |
