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The Wetland Mapping and Monitoring project is a five-year research agreement that was created through a collaborative partnership with the Regional District of Nanaimo's (RDN) Drinking Water and Watershed protection (DWWP) program and Vancouver Island University (VIU). The project started in 2015 and was developed from recognition that there continues to be a lack of baseline data on wetlands in the region. Furthermore, there is limited data regarding where wetlands are situated, how they are classified, and what connection they have to groundwater recharge. This information is important for informing land use decisions in the region. Overall, research aims to inform policy and planning around wetlands in the region in order to better protect these important hydrologic features and ecosystems.
Student researchers follow the modified methods of the BC Wildlife Federation Wetlandkeepers program for mapping and classifying wetlands. Students also collect additional data relating to aquifers, geology, and land use. Students predominantly map wetlands during the summer and early fall field season. The data that students collect when in the field consists of: basic hydrological data (pH, turbidity, temperature), soil data, vegetation surveying, wetland perimeter and dimensions using a GPS, dominant and invasive species observations. Wetlands are further evaluated based on their overall wetland function while also considering influences from surrounding land uses, and visible physical features. Project guidance is provided from other partners, including: VIU faculty members from the Geography and Earth Science departments, and executive members of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES).
If you'd like to get involved with this research project or if you have a wetland on your property that you would like to volunteer to be mapped, feel free to pinpoint your wetland on the "Want to Volunteer your Wetland?" interactive map. For more information, we invite you to use the Q&A tab on this page or contact Haley Tomlin at the address listed at the bottom of this web page.
The Wetland Mapping and Monitoring project is a five-year research agreement that was created through a collaborative partnership with the Regional District of Nanaimo's (RDN) Drinking Water and Watershed protection (DWWP) program and Vancouver Island University (VIU). The project started in 2015 and was developed from recognition that there continues to be a lack of baseline data on wetlands in the region. Furthermore, there is limited data regarding where wetlands are situated, how they are classified, and what connection they have to groundwater recharge. This information is important for informing land use decisions in the region. Overall, research aims to inform policy and planning around wetlands in the region in order to better protect these important hydrologic features and ecosystems.
Student researchers follow the modified methods of the BC Wildlife Federation Wetlandkeepers program for mapping and classifying wetlands. Students also collect additional data relating to aquifers, geology, and land use. Students predominantly map wetlands during the summer and early fall field season. The data that students collect when in the field consists of: basic hydrological data (pH, turbidity, temperature), soil data, vegetation surveying, wetland perimeter and dimensions using a GPS, dominant and invasive species observations. Wetlands are further evaluated based on their overall wetland function while also considering influences from surrounding land uses, and visible physical features. Project guidance is provided from other partners, including: VIU faculty members from the Geography and Earth Science departments, and executive members of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES).
If you'd like to get involved with this research project or if you have a wetland on your property that you would like to volunteer to be mapped, feel free to pinpoint your wetland on the "Want to Volunteer your Wetland?" interactive map. For more information, we invite you to use the Q&A tab on this page or contact Haley Tomlin at the address listed at the bottom of this web page.
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Timeline
February 2016
RDN Wetland Mapping has finished this stage
The five year research agreement began with Vancouver Island University and the Regional District of Nanaimo's Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program.
April 2017 - October 2017
RDN Wetland Mapping has finished this stage
Undergraduate researchers started year two of wetland mapping and reporting season. Research focused on Little Qualicum, French Creek, and South Wellington-Nanoose Water Regions.
May 2018
RDN Wetland Mapping has finished this stage
Research findings presented to the RDN DWWP Technical Advisory Committee.
May 2018 - October 2018
RDN Wetland Mapping has finished this stage
Researchers started year three of the wetland mapping and reporting season. Research focused on Big Qualicum, Cedar-Yellow Point, and Englishman River Water Regions.
April 2019 - November 2019
RDN Wetland Mapping has finished this stage
Researchers started year four of wetland mapping and reporting season. Research was focused on finishing
up Englishman River Water Region and starting on the Gabriola Island Water
Region.
Researchers also established six priority sites from the water regions that have already been mapped. All six sites will be monitored seasonally each year, and instrumentation was installed at one of the sites.
January 2020 - December 2020
RDN Wetland Mapping has finished this stage
The fifth and final year of the project was focused on data management and integration, partnerships for restoration and enhancement, and developing community planning policy alternatives for wetland protection.
Researchers installed instrumentation at two more priority sites for further monitoring and analysis.
January 2021
RDN Wetland Mapping is currently at this stage
A report summarizing the work completed, research findings, and recommendations from the five years of research presented to the RDN DWWP Technical Advisory Committee.