Wetland Cover

Sault Ste. Marie Region
WETLAND COVER
 
 
 
 
Wetlands are areas that are submerged or permeated by water -- either permanently or temporarily -- and are characterized by plants adapted to saturated soil conditions. Wetlands include fresh and saltwater marshes, wooded swamps, bogs, and seasonally flooded forests - any land area that can keep water long enough to let wetland plants and soils develop.
 
They are the only ecosystem designated for conservation by International Convention. Canada currently has 37 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).
 
Wetlands are indispensable because:
In the past wetlands were considered wasteland, and many of southern Canada's wetlands were drained or filled in so that they could be farmed or built on. Only recently have people rediscovered the value of wetlands and started to make efforts to protect these unique ecosystems. Wetlands remain at risk from increasing urban development and are still disappearing under the pressure of human activities and the effects of pollution and climate change.

In the Sault Ste. Marie Region Watershed  

The percentage of wetland cover was measured with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using available vegetation and watercourse data from Land Information Ontario (LIO).

What Did We Find?

WETLAND COVER