CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Devito, K.J.; Jasinska, E.J.; Creed, I.F.; Bayley, S.; Foote, L.; and Pollard, B.
Date : 2001.
Title : Landforms in the understanding of hydrology, chemistry and nutrient status of wetland-pond complexes in the western boreal plain.
Publication : Annual Meeting of the Society of Canadian Limnologists, Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario 4-6 January 2001.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The development of the Western Boreal Plain (WBP) for forestry, oil and gas extraction is preceding at an alarming rate. The WBP contains a great number of shallow (< 2m depth) ponds and associated wetlands that are important for maintaining boreal diversity and North American Waterfowl populations. How these shallow ponds and wetlands will respond to both anthropogenic and climatic disturbances requires a better understanding of the natural variability in landscape and climatic controls. The hydrology of wetland ponds in the WBP is influenced by complex surface and subsurface flow systems that in turn influence nutrient export to receiving aquatic ecosystems. Wetland-pond water quality (inc. nutrient status) may vary among wetland-pond systems with differences in landscape position and its influence on surface and groundwater flows. Likewise, the potential susceptibility of ponds to disturbances depends on their hydrogeologic setting and its influence on groundwater (both local shallow and deeper large-scale flow systems) and surface water flows. The study area covers three major landforms (outwash plain, till moraine, and clay-till plain) that are characteristic of the WBP. Pond water chemistry of 118 shallow ponds were sampled in August 1998, in addition 17 ponds, spanning across the three landforms were sampled June, July & August 1999. A hydrogeologic transect, 50 km long and to 35 m depth was established across the 3 landforms. Recharge wetlands predominate on the topographically high moraine. Both plains appear to be areas of regional recharge, but continuous groundwater flow occurs through the surface sands and gravels of the outwash plain, and within the superficial organic-rich deposits of the clay-till plain. Surface water cations (Ca2+ & Mg2+), total phosphorus and Chlorophyll 'a' are generally higher in flow-through wetland-pond complexes on the low lying clay-till plain compared to those on the higher moraine. A similar pattern of pond total phosphorus concentration with elevation and landform is observed for the larger regional survey conducted in 1998. This preliminary study suggests that landscape position may prove useful in predicting hydrology and nutrient status of wetland-pond complexes, and provides a geologic framework for selecting sites to conduct detailed hydrological and ecological studies of wetland-pond complexes in the WBP.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology