Nick Walker CDNS 4403 5003 Sustainable Heritage Case

Nick Walker CDNS 4403 -5003 Sustainable Heritage Case Study Class Presentation- November 28 th 2017 The Future of Wetlands: Sustainability and the Future Role of The Mer Bleue Bog

Photo: Nick Walker-July 2017

Stakeholders NCC and their Employees Ramsar Convention on Wetlands UNESCO Any Universities that have done studies on the Bog • Surrounding Inhabitants and people that frequent the bog • Students and schools • •

Time Line • 8, 000 years ago-Ottawa River flowed through the valley that is now Mer Bleue. • 1942 - Bog was used as bombing practise area in WW 2. • 1958 -Designated by the NCC as part of the Green. Belt. • 1990’s- Studying began on the Unique Landscape. • 1995 - Designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Aerial of Mer Bleue and the Boardwalk

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands • Designated September 26 th 1995. • Their goal is to have a dedication to achieving sustainable Wetlands through the wise use of the land. • Has been converted into an educational piece but has never undergone major changes, significant importance is placed on leaving it fairly undisturbed.

NCC Plans for the Land • NCC’s goals seem to be similar in some ways to Ramsar. • They agree with maintaining the use of the land protecting it for future generations, however the largest discrepancy between their goals is that the NCC touch more on the economic importance of the land. • Arguing that because it is a unique feature to Ottawa, it adds value to the region and that this may be taken into consideration when expanding the city.

Bog Sustainability Photo Credit: Nick Walker, November 2017

Natural Heritage • The Natural Heritage of the region is unlike many other places. • Extremely unique variety of plants that only grow in peatlands, or northern Tundras and have been growing for 1000’s of years. • The area is also surrounded by old growth Forests and Is home to approximately 22 species of Fauna and over 30 unique forms of Flora.

Cultural Heritage • Present on the land are some artifacts left behind by people who used to call the land home. • Old Barn foundations, stone fireplaces, and even old scientific instruments can be seen around the area. • I don’t believe the Cultural Heritage of the area plays quite as significant a role in the Bog’s future as the Unique Natural Heritage does.

Reference List: • Designation Information • An Introduction to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. (2016) 7 th ed. (Previously The Ramsar Convention Manual). Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland. Mer Bleue. (N. D. ). Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http: //ncc-ccn. gc. ca/places-to-visit/greenbelt/merbleue • • Wetlands Information • Peatland Carbon Study, PCARS. (2004) Measurement and Modelling of the Contemporary Carbon Sequestration in Peatlands. Climatology at Trent University. Waddington J. M. , Quinton W. L. , Price J. S. , Lafleur P. M. (Januray 23 rd 2013) Advances in Canadian Peatland Hydrology. PP 139 -148 Roulet, N. Humphreys, E. Wu, J. Frolking, S. Talbot, J. Lafleur, P. Moore, T. (April 2016) Can Continental Bogs withstand the pressures from Climate change? Basiliko, N. Knowles, R. Moore, T, R. (June 6 th 2003) Roles of Moss Species and Habitat in Methane consumption Potential in a Northern Peatland. The society of Wetland Scientists. Wu, J. Roulet, N. (October 1 st 2014) Climate change reduces the capacity of Northern Peatlands to absorb the atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: The different responses of bogs and fens. • • • Specific Mer Bleue Information • Demitrov, D, D. Grant, R, F. Lafleur, P, M. Humphreys, E, R. (December 31 st 2010) Modelling the Effects of Hydrology On Ecosystem Respiration at the Met Bleu Bog. Journal of Geophysical Research. Siems, M. Blodau, C. (February 2012) Drainage-induced forest growth alters belowground carbon biogeochemistry in the Mer Bleue bog, Canada. •