Wetlands

Kidneys of the Earth - Mother Natures Intricate Filtration System

Although the value of wetlands is infinite to the creatures that inhabit or visit them, they are seen as just another area to be altered to suit our way of thinking.

This mind set is slowly changing, with some areas now recognizing wetlands and marshes as the valuable wildlife habitat they are, even to the extent of trying to reclaim and re-flood them to bring them back to life.

Some large companies are actually in the forefront of designing and building an artificial marsh to process all the water from their head offices, such as the Body Shop.

Wetlands are important feeding and nesting grounds to many migratory birds, some of which are now endangered due to habitat loss from encroachment or poisoning of the water by pollution, lead pollution and poisoning by the use of lead shot for hunting and siltation from soil erosion upstream. In many areas, wetlands are now being recognized for the amazing bio-diversity that they support, and are now being protected from pollution, overuse, re-zoning to be built on and so on.

They are a priceless ecosystem as the water depth fluctuates seasonally and annually, allowing different species to ebb and flow.

As wildlife habitat they have no equal in the sheer number of animals that rely on them for survival. They have also been dubbed 'the kidneys of the earth' for their ability to filter and replenish the water that runs through them.

Some of the most valuable real estate is on the edge of such protected riparian and marsh edge areas, giving great pleasure to inhabitants as they watch kingfishers dive from wildlife trees on the edges of ponds, hawks and harriers and other birds of prey hunting in the reeds and nesting on platforms, and the myriad amphibians, reptiles, birds and insects that such places attract.

The best way to manage these types of sensitive areas is to get out of the way, and not manage them at all.

Wetlands in the Chilcotin

After a couple of years of trying to keep the long grasses and reeds under control, the year came when the reeds were left to grow, and wonder of wonders, suddenly one day a huge flock of trumpeter swans landed on the water.

The sheer amazement and awe that I felt seeing these beautiful graceful creatures and hearing their melancholy honking as they communicate stays with me today. I still get shivers down my spine!

The swans came back many years, each spring and fall to feed in the gradually thawing lakes in the region, sometimes flying off in a group to return at dusk to sleep.

Gradually, they would fly longer distances, checking to see if more northerly lakes had thawed enough, and eventually the day would come when they bravely ventured to the high arctic to raise their young.

In high anticipation, we would wait for their return in the fall as the days shortened and nights turned chilly. They still come back every year.

This experience of living so close to a wetland was inspiring to me, and gave me a full appreciation of the web of life that is woven around and through us.

The many species of birds and other wildlife who rely on our benevolence is a huge responsibility and not to be take lightly.

I hope you will use your influence to help protect wetlands and riparian areas in your neighborhood, and plan and build a small wildlife habitat in the form of a bog garden in your own garden – every little bit helps.

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