ICP Detail: Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada Region 6*

The Atlantic Region of Canada includes 5 provinces (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland - Labrador) with a total area of 2.3 million km2. It also includes 824,000 km2 of the Ontario sections of the Eastern Boreal Forest and Arctic, Taiga and James/Hudson Bay Lowland landscapes. The region contains a wide diversity of habitats, waterfowl and wildlife communities. Major river systems, such as the St. Lawrence and St. John Rivers, along with coastal habitats play a crucial role for waterfowl populations in the Atlantic flyway.

Human populations have been established mainly on the coast and along major river systems. There are currently 9.6 million people in the region with relatively high population densities in the Maritimes (PEI 24/km2, NS 16.8/km2, and NB 10/km2). In Quebec, about 97% of the population live within the St. Lawrence River's watershed, with 69.5% of the population within 10 km of the river.

Loss of wetlands or wetland functions began in the 1600s and has continued because of land use activities such as agricultural and urban expansion. Wetland losses have contributed to declines in waterfowl numbers. This prompted the development of landscape visions to provide a clear picture of the habitat base as well as the waterfowl and wildlife benefits accruing from this habitat. A total of seven landscapes make up the Atlantic region, including 6 terrestrial ecozones and one coastal landscape. The coastal and agricultural landscapes are intimately linked with waterfowl moving freely between landscapes often on a daily basis.

The region supports a diverse waterfowl community of more than 30 species. There are important breeding, staging (spring and fall), molting and wintering habitats. The area supports significant waterfowl numbers (1.33 million breeding pairs, 2.12 million staging, 152,600 molting and 647,000 wintering birds). The region produces birds important to the Atlantic flyway such as American black ducks (black duck), green-winged teal, ringed-necked ducks, mergansers, goldeneyes, Canada and greater snow geese, scoters and eiders. The annual fall flight is estimated at 7.8 million birds.

Declines from historic levels have occurred for some species (black ducks, goldeneyes, eiders, scoters and the North Atlantic population of Canada geese) over the past decades. However, over the past 10 years, waterfowl populations are generally stable or increasing with the exception of goldeneye, mergansers and sea ducks. Most of the endangered eastern harlequin ducks are in this region. Some species such as mallards and wood ducks are increasing. There has also been a spectacular increase in greater snow goose numbers with spring estimates of 800,000 birds.

Strategic Planning for this diverse region of Canada has departed somewhat from the delineation of Bird Conservation Regions recognized for NABCI. DU staff in Canada felt it was more germane to their planning needs to recognize five distinct landscapes: Coastal, Forested, Agricultural Lowland, Maritime Appalachian Forest, Boreal Forest and Arctic, Taiga and James Bay Lowland. These generally apply to Bird Conservation Regions: 7 (Taiga Shield and Hudson Plains in Quebec and Labrador), 8 (Boreal Softwood Shield in Quebec, Labrador and Newfoundland), 12 (Boreal Hardwood Transition in Quebec), 13 (Lower Great Lakes/St Lawrence Plain in Quebec) and 14 (Atlantic Northern Forest in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island).

Coastal Landscape

The coastal landscape is a complex mix of salt marshes, estuaries, tidal mud flats, islands, saline ponds, rock and beach shoreline as well as offshore areas. Habitats depend on the varying tidal regimes and climatic conditions. Waterfowl use is mainly in the form of staging and wintering, although common eiders use coastal islands for nesting.

The vast majority of human settlement has occurred on the coasts of this region. Significant wetland loss has occurred with an estimated 65% of the salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy having been dyked with 27,300 ha remaining. In addition, 5,000 ha of salt marsh remain in the St. Lawrence estuary. Urban, recreational, and industrial developments have impacted coastal habitats to varying degrees, however, urban expansion continues to impact all coastal systems. Intensification and diversification of resource extraction (i.e. aqua-culture, inter-tidal harvest, marine traffic) is placing additional stress on the environment and increasing interactions between waterfowl and humans. Human activities result in considerable direct mortality of waterfowl and seabirds in this landscape with significant losses being attributed to oiling, gill nets, and harvest. Depredation of ducklings by great black-backed gulls is also a significant source of mortality.

The coastal landscape supports a diverse waterfowl community including dabbling, diving and sea ducks as well as geese. Waterfowl use this area throughout the year, with significant numbers of staging, breeding and wintering waterfowl. This landscape supports the majority of breeding common eiders. In addition, as a significant proportion of the continental scoter and eider population stage, molt and winter in this area. There are also millions of seabirds that use this area throughout the year. In addition, an estimated 4.8 million shorebirds migrate through the Atlantic Provinces every fall and rely on the coastal habitat during their stay.

The coastal landscape is the keystone habitat in Atlantic Canada. Sufficient coastal habitat exists to support current waterfowl populations, although habitat loss continues and threats are increasing. Complex interrelationships occur among the various coastal habitats and adjacent uplands that make some coastal regions more important to waterfowl than others. There will be an increased demand for property adjacent to the coast. Current legislation does not fully protect these habitats.

Goals

• Develop initiatives that will conserve coastal habitats in the face of growing urban expansion.
• Identify and protect the remaining 32,300 ha of salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy and in the St. Lawrence estuary and, where possible, restore degraded salt marsh habitat.
• Identify and protect critical breeding islands for eiders.
• Identify and conserve critical areas of coastal shoreline to protect molting, staging and wintering habitat.
• Develop new initiatives that address problems of survival and recruitment of sea ducks.

Strategies

• Focus DU's conservation programs on important coastal areas.
• Employ public policy, free easements and extensive programs to accomplish goals.
• Evaluate salt marsh restoration in the local context, before being attempted on a large scale.

Agricultural Lowland Landscape

The agricultural landscape ranges from intensive corn and grain cultivation to a mosaic of farmed land, small woodlots, rough cover and urban development. Major rivers and the surrounding valley (i.e. St. Lawrence River and estuary and St. John River), Bay of Fundy dyked land, and the Northumberland Plain are included in the landscape. In Quebec, agriculture continues to intensify with 26% of the land base being farmed. However, in some areas up to 60% of the land is farmed. Corn, cereal, dairy, and beef make up most of the active farm practices. In the Maritimes, agricultural activity peaked in the early 1900s when 30% of the total Maritime land base was actively farmed. Today, farming occurs on 15% of the land base, but at greater intensity. Potato, dairy, beef, hogs, sheep as well as vegetables and fruit make up most of the active farming practices. More than 70% of the Atlantic population lives in this area. Consequently the land is primarily privately owned. Urban expansion is steadily increasing and changing this landscape.

Wetland loss in this landscape is difficult to determine since most of the loss occurred prior to aerial photography. In addition, there are no wetland inventories in Quebec. We do know that wetland loss did occur on a fairly large scale in some regions. Upgrading and maintenance of land drainage continues to reduce the extent of wetland areas. In the Maritimes, DU has played a key role by conserving 30% of the wetlands in the landscape through restoration and enhancement. DU's program has focused on the best quality-breeding habitat. Beaver ponds are important habitats but have fluctuated greatly in numbers over time. Wetland loss continues through small-scale drainage and in filling. Slower and less obvious actions such as sedimentation and eutrophication decrease the functional value of wetlands to waterfowl, other wildlife and people.

Agricultural lands support a rich diversity of waterfowl species during both the breeding and staging period. The productive wetlands in this landscape result in the greatest breeding densities of all the landscapes in Atlantic Canada. Waterfowl estimates however, are limited by the lack of good survey information and population estimates are likely conservative. While loss of wetlands has resulted in a reduction of the waterfowl carrying capacity for breeding birds, the availability of nutrient rich food, both in the form of waste grain, and green forage has greatly improved the value of this landscape for staging waterfowl. DU has been successful in securing and managing many of the highest quality wetlands in this landscape.

The vision that DU has set for this landscape is to protect the existing habitat base and increase waterfowl numbers through habitat protection and restoration.

Goals

• Double the waterfowl breeding population to 20,000 pairs, by increasing the average wetland density in the Maritimes from the current level of 2.3 ha/km2 to 4 ha/km2 through the protection and restoration of quality wetlands.
• Protect and restore wetlands and uplands within the St. Lawrence lowlands to provide habitat for 256,000 breeding pairs.
• Protect and restore 5,000 ha of nesting cover on critical nesting islands in the St. Lawrence River and estuary to enhance local production.
• Maintain the current quality DU projects and improve their management for waterfowl and other wildlife species towards the goal of 20,000 breeding pairs in the Maritimes.

Assumptions

• Physical and functional wetland loss has occurred and the potential for future expansion of both agriculture and urbanization exists.
• Quality, nutrient rich brood habitat is the major factor limiting waterfowl numbers.
• Nesting cover is usually not limiting, however, in areas of intensive agricultural activity, nesting cover and direct mortality factors such as predation and loss to farm equipment may be limiting waterfowl numbers.
• Recreational activities often cause significant disturbance to breeding waterfowl.
• Restoration of degraded wetlands will result in increased waterfowl populations providing that existing wetlands are not further degraded or lost.
• Maintain quality habitat for the 1.5 million staging waterfowl.

Strategies

• Develop a decision support system to focus conservation efforts in the most important and most at risk parts of this large and diverse landscape.
• Employ direct intervention to protect and restore wetlands.
• Use extension, easements and promote beneficial public policies to protect wetlands by focusing on wildlife friendly farming practices and upland threats such as soil erosion, wastewater management, non-native plant invasions and urban expansion.
• Monitor land use and social changes as well as waterfowl and wetland numbers to guide program adjustments.

Maritime Appalachian Forest Landscape

Overview

The Appalachian forest is the transition zone between the southern deciduous forest zone and the boreal coniferous region found further north. It contains mixed hardwoods and softwoods and is generally divided into highland and lowland regions. Sustainable or below sustainable levels of forest harvest is occurring in this landscape. Most of the land is privately owned (PEI 90%, NS 70%, NB 50% and QC 95%). Silvicultural activities are increasing to bolster long-term wood supplies. However, reduced wood supplies will push companies to harvest areas that are currently not economically feasible.

The wetlands in this region are generally nutrient poor, with many bogs. However, there are areas of quality wetlands. In the Maritimes, DU currently manages the majority of the productive wetlands in this landscape. Waterfowl breeding densities are typically low yet the landscape produces a significant number of waterfowl because of its size. Black ducks, green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, goldeneyes and mergansers are the most common ducks. Significant beaver populations are maintaining a large number of ponds in this landscape.

Goals

• Maintain the existing wetland base to support the current breeding waterfowl numbers of 50,000 pairs.
• In the Maritimes, maintain the current quality DU projects and improvement management for waterfowl and other wildlife species.

Assumptions

• Wetland quantity is generally not limiting, but due to low inherent nutrient levels, the quality is.
• Waterfowl populations are stable.
• Current wetland densities are adequate to support existing populations.
• Beaver pond numbers will continue to fluctuate.
• Increased forestry practices and recreational activities will have negative impacts on habitat quality.
• Long-range air pollution has and is degrading water quality in poorly buffered systems.

Strategies

• Focus on the most important and threatened parts of this large and diverse landscape.
• Conduct research on the impacts of intensive forestry practices to help develop a better understanding of what strategies will be most applicable to achieving the goals.
• The need for forestry companies to achieve global environmental certification represents an opportunity for DU.
• Extensive rather than intensive conservation programs are most suitable for this landscape.

Eastern Boreal Forest Landscape

The boreal forest zone encompasses 32% of the Atlantic Canada Region and more then 57% of Ontario. The boreal is basically a coniferous forest with some hardwood mix in southern latitudes. Half the boreal forest in NF is considered unproductive forest, which means it, cannot be sustainably harvested. Intensive forest harvesting is occurring close to NF pulp mills and expansion into Labrador is a real possibility. Ninety-nine percent of the forests in NF are Crown owned. Commercial forests cover 46% of Quebec and are Crown owned. In Ontario, over 90% of the land is Crown owned and 75% is considered productive commercial forest.

Wetlands are numerous, generally low in productivity, with more productive "pockets" occurring. Waterfowl are dispersed at low densities, yet the large land mass results in a significant proportions of the total Atlantic region's black duck, green-winged teal, goldeneye, scoter and Canada goose production coming from the boreal forest. Beaver populations have recovered from low levels in the 1940s and have created innumerable ponds. In Ontario, the vast size of the boreal forest results in a fall flight of more then 3.5 million waterfowl.

Forestry, hydroelectric development and acid rain have the most significant impact on this landscape. Forestry remains the primary land use. Current projections are for a wood shortfall over the next 20 - 30 years. There has been a significant increase in silviculture; however, it remains unclear if this will offset the shortfall. This shortfall will force forestry operations in areas currently considered unprofitable, thereby increasing human access. The most significant influence of forestry is likely the development of the road system allowing access to previously remote areas.

Goals

• Maintain the existing diverse habitat quality and quantity needed to sustain current breeding waterfowl numbers.
• Increase the availability of nesting cavities for declining goldeneye populations.

Assumptions

• Wetland quantity is generally not limiting, but due to low naturally occurring nutrient levels, the quality is.
• There have been significant historic declines in black duck, goldeneye and scoter populations. However, in the past 10 years, waterfowl populations including black ducks have been stable.
• Current wetland densities are adequate to support the existing populations.
• Removal of large snags is limiting nest sites for declining goldeneye populations.
• Beaver pond numbers fluctuate.
• Increased forestry practices and recreational activities will have negative impacts on habitat quality.

Strategies

• Acquire wetland inventories and more complete waterfowl surveys to focus conservation programs.
• Conduct research on the impacts of intensive forestry practices to help develop a better understanding of what strategies will be most applicable to achieving the goals.
• The need for forestry companies to achieve global environmental certification represents an opportunity for DU.
• Extensive rather than intensive conservation programs are most suitable for this landscape.

Arctic, Taiga and James/Hudson Bay Lowland Landscape

This landscape encompasses 60% of the Atlantic region and includes tundra and lowland habitat as well as taiga that represent a transition zone between the boreal forest and tundra. In Ontario, this region represents 27% of the total land base, and contains the most extensive continuous wetland ecosystem in the world. There is limited human activity in this area. Wetlands are abundant but of limited productivity, with the exception of the relatively productive James Bay Lowlands. The land is owned either by the crown or aboriginal people.

Breeding waterfowl typically occur at low densities. However, significant areas of greater density occur adjacent to the coast and on the Ungava peninsula. Critical staging and breeding habitats occur within a 100 km band along the James and Hudson Bay. Common species include black ducks, Canada geese and scoters. Waterfowl production from this area makes a significant contribution to the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways. Canada Geese of the Southern James Bay population have experienced significant population decline since the late 1980s. Breeding snow geese in the region have shown remarkable growth during the same period, resulting in concerns for breeding ground integrity and the future of the breeding populations. Low human activity results in little direct threat to wetlands or waterfowl. However, activities in this area are typically at a large scale and can potentially have significant consequences for waterfowl and wildlife. In addition, climate change may result in extreme long-term impacts.

Goal

• Maintain the existing diverse habitat quality and quantity needed to sustain the current waterfowl numbers.

Assumptions

• Wetland quantity is generally not limiting, but due to low naturally occurring nutrient levels, the quality is.
• Waterfowl populations have been stable.
• Current wetland densities are adequate to support the existing population level.

Strategy

• Monitor human activities and waterfowl and wildlife population trends.

* Region 6 - NABCI Bird Conservation Regions 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 (in Canada ).