Floating GHG chamber.
Floating GHG chamber measures greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands.
 

DUC research

A leader in greenhouse gas and carbon sequestration

Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) wetland and waterfowl conservation work is conducted by the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR), DUC’s science branch. Research at IWWR focuses on identifying both ecological and economic benefits that result from wetland conservation. The following is a list of the main research projects coordinated by DUC that are investigating carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as they relate to beneficial management practices on the Canadian agricultural landscape.

Management of agricultural landscapes with wetlands and riparian zones: economic and greenhouse gas implications

The goal of this project is to enhance the sustainability of the agriculture industry by examining the environmental role and economic value of wetlands and riparian zones in agricultural landscapes across Canada.

Funding for this project is provided by DUC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program. This research will enhance producers’ ability to assess the environmental and economic performance of agricultural management practices and enable DUC to respond to environmental issues through practices, programs and policy. The objectives of this project are to:

  • Quantify soil organic carbon along wetland-riparian-upland transects across the Prairie Pothole Region (much of the Prairie provinces)
  • Quantify GHG flux (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide) along same transects
  • Measure key ecological drivers that control changes in carbon and GHG in wetland-riparian ecosystems
  • Identify impacts of agricultural upland management (conventional tillage, zero-tillage, grass cover) on changes in carbon sequestration and GHG flux along transects
  • Provide economic evaluation of selected farm management practices in relation to ecological goods and services benefits such as carbon sequestration
  • Develop a carbon model specific to wetlands and riparian areas with links to economic and policy issues

Finding a Natural Solution: Exploring Carbon Sequestration of Prairie Wetland Landscapes.

This project employs a landscape approach to examine the functional linkages between prairie wetlands, riparian areas and their adjacent agricultural fields in terms of carbon sequestration and GHG flux.

Funding for this research initiative is provided by Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and DUC. The project brings together a network of researchers from a variety of disciplines and agencies across Canada. The major deliverables of this project include:

  • A quantitative assessment of the role of prairie wetlands and riparian areas as net carbon sinks, including carbon storage and GHG emission.
  • Recommendations for beneficial management practices for agricultural land adjacent to wetlands that will enhance carbon sink potential of uplands, riparian areas, and wetlands.
  • Development of support systems based on partnerships to assist landowners with GHG management of their wetlands.

Resources

For more information on climate change, the role of wetlands in respect to greenhouse gas emissions, and Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) carbon sequestration research, please refer to:

  • Annual Report (May 2006), (PDF, 276 KB): Management of Agricultural Landscapes with Wetlands and Riparian Zones: Economic and Greenhouse Gas Implications.
  • Informational Poster (PDF, 844 KB): Management of Wetlands with Agricultural and Riparian Zones: Economic and Greenhouse Gas Implications

For more information:

Pascal Badiou, PhD
Research Scientist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
(204) 467-3277
Email: p_badiou@ducks.ca

<< Page 3: Carbon sequestration in wetlands
Page 5: Glossary >>

 
BACK TO TOPBack to Top