Study Date:  2009 – 2011

Location: Black River subwatershed of the Lake Simcoe basin, Rural Municipalities of Durham and York in Ontario

Completed in 2011, this research examined the ecological values of wetlands in the Black River subwatershed of the Lake Simcoe basin and the economic impacts of wetland loss. The study builds on the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority report that identified wetlands provide an estimated $435 million in ecological goods and services to the Lake Simcoe watershed each year.

 Research Highlights:

• Wetlands stop phosphorus from entering Lake Simcoe, and are critical to meeting the phosphorous reduction objectives of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.
• Black River wetlands currently remove harmful phosphorous from Lake Simcoe and save local municipalities about $300,000 a year for this ecological service.
• Further loss of wetlands in the Black River subwatershed will significantly increase phosphorous loading to Lake Simcoe.
• Keeping the remaining wetlands provides the highest return on investment.

 Project Partners:

• Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund
• University of Guelph
• University of Alberta

Report:

View full report

For more information on this research project, contact us.