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Pintails need Canada’s wetlands 
World Wetlands Day 2009 celebrates valuable ecosystems
January 29, 2009, Oak Hammock Marsh, Man. – On World Wetlands Day, February 2, thousands of northern pintails will be wading through flooded rice fields near the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas, feasting on seeds and invertebrates under the Texas sun. In a few short months, these striking, sleek birds - whose population declines are causing concern in North America - will be migrating back north to their Canadian breeding grounds, stopping often at the plethora of recently-thawed shallow wetlands in fields along the way.
In the fall, pintails are among the first to travel back from the breeding grounds of the prairies and boreal forest. This time, their rest stops may include Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) wetland conservation projects that dot the Canadian landscape on migratory paths used by millions of waterfowl and water birds.
Henry Murkin, DUC’s director of conservation programs, understands the importance of DUC wetlands to northern pintails and other waterfowl. “Canada has always been a rich area for wetlands and waterfowl habitat. In fact, these Canadian habitats have traditionally supported around 70 per cent of North America’s waterfowl production. DUC is working hard to conserve, restore and enhance wetlands so they can continue to provide secure breeding and staging areas for pintails and all other species of ducks. ”
Wetlands are not only critical to waterfowl. It is estimated that more than 600 species of wildlife, including one-third of Canada’s species at risk including the endangered whooping crane, use wetlands for all or part of their life cycle. Given that up to 70 per cent of wetlands have disappeared in settled areas of Canada, lost to industrial development and municipal and agricultural expansion, Murkin notes that “conservation of these vital habitats is more critical now than ever.”
“Through conservation, scientific research, policy and education programs we are raising the profile of wetlands, but more needs to be done to ensure they remain part of the landscape,” Murkin says, adding that DUC is currently involved in helping to establish a Canadian Wetland inventory and monitoring system will help aid policy and decision makers in protecting important wetlands and all the ecological goods and services they provide.
World Wetlands Day is an opportunity to acknowledge all that Canada’s wetlands do for us:
- Act as nature’s filter. By nourishing plant growth, wetlands can remove more than 90 per cent of common nutrient pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorous. They also remove disease-carrying pathogens that could harm people.
- Moderate climate change. These same plants take carbon dioxide from the air and “sequester” the carbon in the soil, where it’s used to grow more plants. This part of a wetland’s life cycle removes a potentially harmful greenhouse gas from the air – and replaces it with life-giving oxygen.
- Generate recreational opportunities. Wetlands give people a chance to experience the best nature has to offer. Bird watching, hiking, hunting, fish and eco-tourism depend on healthy wetlands.
- Mitigate flood damage. Wetlands act like giant sponges. They collect and store water in wet years, reducing flood damage and preventing soil erosion.
- Recharge groundwater. By holding rain and runoff water in place, wetlands recharge local sources of groundwater. This water sustains wildlife, livestock and agricultural crops in good years – and in times of drought.
DUC encourages Canadians to look for ways to conserve, maintain and restore these valuable ecosystems. For DUC’s Top Ten list of wetland facts, visit www.ducks.ca/resource/general/wetland/facts.html.
DUC has conserved Canada's wetlands and associated habitats for more than 70 years. DUC has over 8,100 wetland conservation projects across the country.
World Wetlands Day held on February 2 every year, marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran. The convention provides a basis for international co-operation in the conservation and wise use of wetland ecosystems. In Canada, 37 Ramsar wetlands have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance. For more information visit: www.ramsar.org
For more information please contact:
Leigh Patterson
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (204) 467-3306
l_patterson@ducks.ca
