Investing in the Carbon Sink Potential of Agriculture and Wetland Sustainability

1. Investing in the Carbon Sink Potential of Agriculture and Wetland Sustainability Agriculture and Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative of Ducks Unlimited Canada Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

2. To promote the functions and values of wetlands in sustaining the quality and quantity of water resources and biodiversity in Canada. To promote the consideration of wetland conservation as a future component of agricultural soil carbon sinks policy. Mission: To further the understanding of wetland science in support of policy related to Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) within the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF). Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

3. Small wetlands dry up and disappear Permanent wetlands become seasonal Agricultural activity migrates north and impacts areas of forestry and higher wetland density Security of source water quantity and quality is threatened Ecosystem biodiversity is decreased Climate Change Impacts on Wetlands? Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

4. Wetlands are managed by default if not by design Burning Erosion Gone Forever Haying Tillage

5. Evaluation of beneficial management practices (BMPs) that enhance and protect wetland ecosystem function • Source water protection • Biodiversity preservation and enhancement • Carbon storage Integration of wetland management with agricultural and forestry management for a holistic landscape/watershed approach Value of Research to Ag and Forestry? Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

6. A program of inter-related projects Sites across the Prairie Pothole Region Establish wetland-riparian-upland transects Manipulate agricultural land management practices in the upland Address questions with a localized focus Coordination with other GHG studies Research Approach: Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

7. Research Collaborators: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Canadian Wildlife Service (EC) Ducks Unlimited Canada National Water Research Institute (EC) University of Alberta University of Manitoba University of Saskatchewan Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

8. DUC Prairie Region $120,000 Policy program and Administration $150,000 Research program $50,000 BIOCAP matched funds? Universities, NSERC Grants Industry Partners (Alberta-Pacific Forestry) BIOCAP Funding? Government Funding Funding: Annual funding target $750,000 Total Annual Budget $1,340,000 Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

9. Focus is on wetlands and riparian areas within the context of agricultural land-use - an integrated landscape approach Net balance between carbon storage and greenhouse gas flux in Prairie wetlands is unknown - knowledge gap Prairie wetlands are biologically different systems than peat lands and agricultural lands, the two “proxies” currently being used to estimate wetland net carbon balance Rationale for Prairie/Parkland: Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

10. Quantify carbon storage along wetland-riparian-upland transects across the PPR (including Boreal transition/Parkland zone) Quantify greenhouse gas flux (CO2, CH4, and N2O) along same transects Identify and measure key ecological drivers that control changes in C and GHG flux in wetland and riparian areas Assess spatial and temporal variability of GHG fluxes in heterogeneous wetland zones and riparian areas Research Objectives: Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

11. Identify impacts of agricultural upland management on C storage and GHG flux in wetlands/riparian areas Identify impact of tillage through wetland basins on GHG emission and C storage during drought years Develop a carbon model specific to prairie wetlands and riparian areas Assess the effect of wetland restoration (over time 0-15 yrs, and over climatic gradient of PPR) on C storage and GHG emission Link to national scaling-up studies underway in the agricultural sector Research Objectives: Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

12. St. Denis National Wildlife Area and vicinity (July 1983)

13. Landscape

14. 300 Field Pond 120 Pond 117 250 Upland soils Wetland soils 200 Transition soils 150 Soil Organic Carbon (Mg ha-1, 0 to 60 cm) 100 50 0 DSH DBS DFS TP GE ST GE Mid CF CSH CBS CFS Mid CF TR ST Landscape Element

15. Assembly of working group GIS wetland database update Develop relations with scientific and policy communities to raise awareness Implement research and demonstration projects Share research results with national and international scientific and policy communities Identify research funding opportunities Develop support systems to assist landowners with management of their wetlands Work Plan: 2001-2008 Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada

16. Agriculture and Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative Ducks Unlimited Canada