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Wetlands
What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands are shallow, wet areas that support aquatic plants, like bulrushes and cattails, as well as shrubs and trees.
Wetlands cover 5% of the surface area of Prince Edward Island. About 20% are salt or tidal marshes. These are considered to be among the most productive ecosystems on earth. Tidal marshes are common along the edges of bays and estuaries. The remaining 80% are freshwater wetlands. These include open water ponds, marshes, small wet meadows, wooded swamps and bogs. The construction of livestock watering ponds and borrow pits in areas with a high water table has resulted in the recent formation of more wetlands.
Benefits of Wetlands
Wetlands perform a variety of important functions.
- provide habitat for fish and wildlife species and contribute to the productivity of rivers and estuaries
- form a vital link in the water cycle by acting as groundwater recharge, discharge and storage areas
- act as water purification systems by trapping and breaking down contaminants such as chemicals,organic waste, and sediment
- act as carbon sinks, thereby helping to reduce greenhouse gases
- stabilize river and coastal shorelines
- provide recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, bird watching, and canoeing and
- provide food and habitat for commercial fish species
For more information on wetlands, please visit the following resources:
Wetland Conservation Policy: This policy was implemented in 2003 to prevent the loss of wetlands.
Fact Sheets: The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture program offers information fact sheets on a variety of typical Island wetlands.
Water Course, Wetlands and Buffer Zone Activity Permits: A permit is required to work in or near a wetland. Please contact the Department of Environment, Labour and Justice at 368-5024 for more information.
This information has been taken from website "Environment"