Abstracts

Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Communities: Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Response to Adaptation Strategies

Linda D. Mortsch¹, J. Ingram, S. Doka, P. Deadman, M. Galloway, A.J. Hebb, and L. Snell
¹Environment Canada
linda.mortsch@ec.gc.ca

Inter-annual water level fluctuations influence the vegetation composition and distribution of Great Lakes coastal wetlands which affects their ecological diversity and functioning as well as utility as habitat for fish and birds. An integrated assessment was undertaken to determine the vulnerability of Great Lakes coastal wetlands to water level declines projected using climate change scenarios. Wetland plant, bird and fish community predictive models were used to estimate impacts on the structure and functioning of these communities due to changes in mean annual water levels for Lakes Ontario and Erie. A number of adaptation strategies to ameliorate the effects of water level changes were explored including water level regulation in Lake Ontario; wetland dyking on Lakes Ontario and Erie; and land use planning and policy options. Stakeholders were engaged in the review of wetland vegetation community mapping and assessment of climate change impacts and potential adaptation strategies. Detailed project information may be found at http://www.fes.uwaterloo.ca/research/airg/.

2005-04-05