Download New Brunswick Wetland Classification

Avenor/Noranda Forest Watershed Research Centre:
New Brunswick Wetland Classification
Your Environmental Trust Fund at Work
Maureen Toner
Vince Zelazny
Paul A. Arp
CNB
Faculty of
Forestry and
Env. Mgt.
UNB
Fredericton,
NB
NB Wetland Classification:
based on NB Ecological Land Classification,
byEcoregions
1 Highlands- coolest, wettest
2
3
2 Northern Uplands- cool, intermediate
1
3 Central Uplands- cool, wet
6
5
4 Fundy Coast- cool, wet
7
5
4
3
5 Valley Lowlands - warm, dry
6 Eastern Lowlands - warm, driest
7 Grand Lake Lowlands - warmest, dry
Canadian Wetland Classification recognizes:
bogs, fens, swamps, marshes, shallow open water.
Mineral wetlands:
swamps, marshes,
shallow open water
Peatlands:
bogs, fens
VZ
VZ
SC
Salt marshes
SC
More on bogs….
…they vary in genesis, surface morphology, diversity.
VZ
CNB
East Coast
in depressions,
abundant lichens.
Inland, old drainage channels,
low diversity, abundant shrubs.
VZ
Fundy Coast in deep depressions.
abundant lichens (front),
large scirpus lawns (back)
Inland complex with abundant pools
SC
SC
Mineral wetlands
receive seepage water.
Often, there is zonation via three wetland classes.
Swamp (treed),
with short flooding
duration.
Marsh (herbaceous),
with permanent to
seasonal flooding.
VZ
Shallow open water,
with flooding for most
of the growing season.
In areas of continuous disturbance
(waves, currents and scour), wetland species have
reduced leaves (reeds) and other adaptations.
Reeds
Leafier
emergents
Shrubs
MM
Bogs and fens are wetlands where organic matter
is deeper than 40 cm, drainage is slow ,
there a little fluctuation in water levels, substrate is acidic,
and climate is cool and moist.
Juniper
Barrens
VZ
Bogs receive nutrients only from atmosphere. Plants are
generally dwarfed and slow growing, most are evergreen.
Insectivorous plants are common.
Pitcherplant,
insectivorous
Leatherleaf,
a common shrub
SC
PAA
SC
SC
SC
More
Bog plants
Labrador tea
Arethusa bulbosa
Dragon's Mouth (orchid)
SC
SC
NB distribution of major wetland type
1 Highlands
2
3
2 Northern Uplands
1
3 Central Uplands
6
5
5 Valley Lowlands
7
5
peatland
shrub swamp
open water or marsh
mixed representation
4 Fundy Coast
4
3
6 Eastern Lowlands
7 Grand Lake Lowlands
Name this wetland………..
Salt marsh
Coastal wetland near Miscou
SC
Inland wetland
Bog pond
MM
….name that Wetland (encore…..)
Shrub
swamp,
common
in
Highlands
Raised Bog, lowland ecoregions
CNB
SC
VZ
Silver
maple
swamp,
Grand
Lake
Lowlands
Inside a Bog
Photo credits:
S. Clayden of New Brunswick Museum (SC)
Communications New Brunswick (CNB)
M. Marshall (MM)
V. Zelazny (VZ), NBDNRE
The End