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If you have any questions on the information presented, or require additional report data or attachments, please contact the
Ministry.
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In response to 80% loss of wetlands in Katzie traditional territory in the lower Alouette and Pitt River watersheds, we combined scientific and traditional knowledge and values to create an Eco-Cultural Restoration Plan for Katzie territory.
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Author: K. Squires, R. Leon, D. Heron, P. James, D. Miller
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Old Reference Number: COA-F17-W-1295
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Old Reference System: FWCP Fish Wildlife Compensation Program - Coastal
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Date Published: Mar 2017
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Report ID: 52843
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Audience: Government and Public
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In response to 80% loss of wetlands in Katzie traditional territory in the lower Alouette and Pitt River watersheds, we combined scientific and traditional knowledge and values to create an Eco-Cultural Restoration Plan for Katzie territory. Wetland loss has resulted in the extirpation or near extirpation of several species from this area, including several federally-listed species at risk, and loss of access to several species of cultural value to Katzie. Hence, cultural practices that supported sustainable use of these species for food and medicine have also declined. Wapato has been identified as a cultural keystone species for the Katzie First Nation, but is no longer accessible due to the loss of wetland habitat. Our plan prioritizes wetland restoration within the lower Alouette River, the core of Katzie traditional territory. During previous work (2012-2014), we mapped wetland habitat and conducted inventories for species at risk to identify candidate sites for restoration. In this first year of our multi-year project, we implemented our plan by enhancing 1 ha of wetland at two high priority sites along the lower Alouette River for 11 species of conservation concern while also restoring access to plant species of cultural value. Habitat enhancement actions such as installation of large wood, creation of tidal marsh, beach clearing, installation of shelter boxes, and planting of native aquatics and berry-producing shrubs were targeted to priority species of conservation concern, including the great blue heron, painted turtle, and barn swallow, and to improve biodiversity overall. We designed marshes to sustain large patches of wapato and tule, so that members of the Katzie and wider community can learn about and engage in traditional harvesting of these culturally-valued plants. Our actions encompass priority actions under the Alouette Riparian Wetlands Action Plan (FWCP 2011): 1. conduct mapping to determine abundance, distribution, and category of riparian and wetland habitat, 2. identify opportunities for restoration or creation of category 2 areas, and 3. implement riparian and wetland restoration projects that are identified as high priorities through inventory, mapping or assessment
We also initiated a long term effectiveness monitoring program, designed to evaluate restoration success by comparing the vegetation, amphibian, and bird communities at restoration sites pre- and post-restoration, and to control sites along the Alouette River. Pre-restoration inventory shows that the low bench floodplain between the dikes was more than 95% covered by reed canary grass, whereas the inter-tidal zone was dominated by native species. Four provincially 'blue'-listed plant species of conservation concern were found in the intertidal zones. Egg mass surveys conducted in March suggest that native amphibians did not breed at the sites, but a western toad was found incidentally on wood within the reed canary grass bench, and vocalizing non-native bronze frogs were heard later in the season along the river edge. Prior to restoration, only two bird species were determined to hold breeding territories within the sites, the marsh wren and common yellowthroat. The results of point count surveys conducted along the lower Alouette River showed that only one bird, the marsh wren, was observed to primarily use reed canary grass as breeding habitat. Bird species richness was higher where shrubs were present with reed canary grass in the low bench floodplain. These results suggest that our actions to plant shrubs at the restoration sites may broaden the suite of bird species able to find breeding resources, and thus is expected to increase bird species richness over the long term. Future years of monitoring will result in valuable information with which to evaluate restoration success, while also contributing information to regional efforts toward species and habitat conservation.
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Report Type
Subject
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Amphibians & Reptiles - Western Toad: Bufo boreas |
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Region - Lower Mainland |
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Terrestrial Information - Habitat Monitoring |
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Terrestrial Information - Restoration |
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