Wetland Science and Monitoring

Scientific research and wetland monitoring are ongoing throughout the Great Lakes basin by universities, provincial and federal governments, non-government organizations, and volunteers. It is through new science that the effects of water level variability and regulation, the long-term impacts of invasive species on coastal wetlands, and other stresses are gradually gaining understanding. Science needs the collection and analysis of data. However, the Great Lakes is a particularly challenging ecosystem to monitor due to its large size, geographic variability, and multi-jurisdictional management. This challenge is addressed through coordination of governments, consolidation of resources, and sharing of knowledge. The following programs and projects all employ these principles as they further wetland science in the Great Lakes.

Basinwide

• Marsh Monitoring Program
• The Great Lakes Wetlands Consortium
• State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference

Ontario

• Ontario Coastal Wetlands Atlas

Lake Level

• Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs)

Wetland science is incorporated into the goals of the LaMPs through their goal to restore the beneficial use impairments of the Great Lakes. This includes new science and monitoring programs to restore degraded fish and wildlife habitat (which often consists of wetlands) and also to restore degraded populations of fish and wildlife.

• International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Study Board

Local/Regional

• Remedial Action Plans (RAPs)

Like the LaMPs, the 42 watershed-based RAPs around the Great Lakes incorporate wetland science through their mandate to restore degraded fish and wildlife habitat and to restore degraded populations of fish and wildlife, amongst other initiatives.

• Durham Region Coastal Wetland Monitoring Project

Wetlands Home