Wetland identification, calssification and evaluation for Fish Creek provincial park

Bibliography: p. 202-214This Master's Degree Project (MDP) resulted in an inventory of the wetlands of Fish Creek Provincial Park (FCPP). The wetlands were ciqsslfieql using the Canadian Wetland Classification System, and their general characteristics were investigated in order to develop recommendations that will assist the pork toff wlth wetland management. Concerning wetland classes, all the wetlands in the Park but one were classified as Marshes, while the remaining was classified as Shallow Water. Six welland forms/subforms were present inFCPP; Riparian Meltwater Channel Marhes (RMCM5), Riparian Stream Marhses (RSM). Spring Marshes (SMs),. Riporl.qn Floodiploin Morshs (RFMs),, Isolated q*i Marshes (lBMs), dnd Riparian Stream Waters (RSWs). The RMCMs.were the most common and the RSWs the least, According to their type, 0% of these wetlands were classified as Graminold (Sedge). Carexsp. was the most common of all wetland plants. For the classification of wetlands in the Pork,. It Is suggested that consideration be given to Stewart and Kantrud's (1971) classification system because it is based upon wetland's hycirplogloal regime, which is responsible for their distinctive vegetation composition and general characteristics (seasonally flooded wetlands predominated in the Park). Approximately 90% of the wetlands In FCPP are fed by groundwater dischaig (l..e, they are terrlgenous). Others get their water directly from the creek or the river (Le',l itogenous) and from stormwater outfcills. The Park's wetlands that receive stormwater Inputs from the, city still contain a great variety of plant-species and, therefore, they not only provide us with services, but they also provide several wildlife species with habitat. However, if there were future needs to locate more stormwater outfalls in the Park, It would be preferable to construct artificial wetlands for thl§ purpose (it has already started being done) than to direct the stormwater to the naturally existing wetlands. In general, Fish ,Creek's wetlands support a variety of ecological functions related fo hydrology, native vegetation, and wildlife habitat. Considering That They are surrounded by urbanization, it is the author's opinion that they are in fairly good condition. A total of 40 wetlands (including wetland complexes and constructed wetlands). was, found In the Park, and the number of these is probably higher considering the areas that could not be accessed. ma way, all of Fish Creek's wetlands are linked to one another, forming a whole wetland complex. No single wetland plays an essential role in providing habitat for wildlife and goods and services for us; it is the sum of all the different types of wetlands in the Park that does, It is recommended that for their management and other considerations, FCPP's wetlands be thought-of as being one sole complex system. A' number of specific actions for wetland management In the Park are recommended

Prioritizing sustainable use in the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework

In late 2021, a range of experts from around the world came together through GEOBON and the bioDiscovery program of Future Earth to provide expert input to the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework (GBF)—the new strategic framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that will guide interventions to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services for the next 3 decades. This opinion piece, a companion to others addressing the ecosystem, restoration, climate, and production system objectives of the GBF (see https://geobon.org/science-briefs/), discusses the science behind the sustainable use (SU) targets. It also examines the state of play in international negotiations of the GBF and lays out key priorities for implementation of the framework with respect to SU