Looking Back over 15+ Years of Tidal Wetland Restoration Projects in Nova Scotia, Canada

Tidal wetlands play a key role in our environment, particularly in the face of the increasing risks associated with climate change and rising sea levels. Conservative estimates for Nova Scotia (NS) put the loss of tidal... [ view full abstract ]

Tidal wetlands play a key role in our environment, particularly in the face of the increasing risks associated with climate change and rising sea levels. Conservative estimates for Nova Scotia (NS) put the loss of tidal wetland habitat at greater than 50% province wide, and that number jumps to approximately 80% for the Bay of Fundy, mostly associated with dyking and conversion to agricultural land. Although these activities are of historical and social significance, it is now recognized that the large scale loss of habitat, species and primary productivity that has resulted from the construction of dykes, modern tidal barriers and coastal development have had considerable adverse ecological impacts. Since 2000, efforts have been made to mitigate the loss of tidal wetland habitat in NS. During that time over a dozen tidal wetland restoration projects, complete with comprehensive long-term ecological monitoring programs have been undertaken. These projects have ranged from replacing tidally restrictive culverts, to the breaching of agricultural or impoundment dykes and allowing for passive restoration of wetland species and function, to the inclusion of more active restoration efforts such as the construction of channels and pannes. In recent years, the focus has shifted from primarily habitat recovery to climate change adaptation (managed realignment). This poster will provide a look back over nearly two decades of tidal wetland restoration projects in NS highlighting successes in the field, advancements in design, lessons learned, and a take a look forward.