The Richmond Wetland

by Isabel Bayley

Between Richmond on the north and the Rideau River on the south, and encompassing at least 6000 acres, lies an area of wetland variously known as "Richmond Swamp" or "Richmond Bog." As the names imply, there are both bog and swamp components in the area, together with a much larger component which might best be called freshwater wetlands. The area is not continuous wetland, but is subdivided by dry ridges into many pockets, large and small, where water collects, and where the water-oriented flora and fauna abound. From the point of viw of individuals whose interests lie in the aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms, these areas provide a rich and varied terrain, where there is indeed "something for everyone."

Present management of the area is divided among a number of agencies. Some of the areas are Provincial Crown Land, while others belong to the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. The Canadian National Railway has a right-of-way through one of the major marsh areas. The Regional Municipality has given over the management of most of their lands to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Forestry and Wildlife), and a management proposal exists which considers mainly the use of timber resources and the trapping of muskrats. The use of the area by wildlife, with the exception of the muskrat, has yet to be considered.

In the wetlands there exists a number of distinct and diverse community types, each with its own distinctive flora and fauna. Many of the cedar swamp and beaver meadow communities have obviously enjoyed their high water levels by virtue of beaver activity, and beaver are still very active. In some places, dirt roads have become flooded and passage is difficult if not impossible. The swampy areas, rick with Mountain Holly (Memopanthus), Buckthorn (Rhamnus) and Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris), support significant populations of deer and grouse. The beaver meadows, with their forests of bare drowned trees, rich stands of Manna Grass (Glyceria borealis) and sedges (Carex spp.), plus the many pools of shallow fresh water, support resident Great Blue Herons. Some places are a birdwatcher's paradise, where Rose-breasted Grosbeaks pursue their nesting activities and the daily round of food-gathering as though observers were quite invisible. On pockets of ground which are slightly above water level following the spring melt period, one can find superb colonies of the now fairly rare Fringed Gentian (Gentiana crinita), and in the shallow waters Mermaid-week (Proserpinaca) can be found. Most of the common (and very beautiful) minor components of freshwater wetlands are readily observable. Low-grading willows are common in the area, as are vast colonies of cattails, and these tend to encroach and restrict access of the waterfowl to this potentially rich area. Despite this, waterfowl are common, even abundant, not only in periods of migration but in the summer months as well.

The CN railway line, which runs through a major part of the marsh, plays an important role for the resident fauna. Ballast along the right-of-way is used extensively by the turtle populations for egg-laying, incubation, and sunning, and these activities in turn are monitored by the raccoons, which enthusiastically dig for turtle eggs in the dry ballast. The line also offers a good look at the marsh, and certainly many enthusiastic observers have walked those long straight tracks armed with binoculars!

Open moving waters are rather limited, but of course these support a strong population of lotic species, such as Potamogeton epihydrus, certainly not rare, but indicative of diversity of the marsh. The lentic waters support many species as well, particularly Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) and some Frog's-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae). Of course the manyminor species are also present, and reward the keen observer.

Wetlands are important places. Not only do they function for man as a perennial water source in times of drought, a welcome reservoir in a dry land, but they also serve as taging and nesting areas for the waterfowl, one of our important Canadian natural heritages.

The fact that the Richmond wetlands are so close to urbaized centres, and are thus endangered in many ways by the possibility of unplanned development and land-filling, suggests that a sound conservtion programme should be undertaken now to preserve them. They are important places, beautiful places too, and they definitely deserve to be maintained and conserved.

To increase the value of wetlands in the Richmond area for wildlife populatin, some form of management might be considered. Important prerequisites for waterfowl utilization are adeqate open water, coupled with good cover and food sources. Both cover and food sources are certainly available, but there are sections of the marsh which might be opened up to increase the open water surfaces. Such pondings would encourage even more waterfowl to visit and nest.

There is no need to institute practices such as controlled water levels which might easily flood the railroad right-of-way, and in any event a high water level is neither needed nor desired, since present water levels are entirely adequate. With very little work, the area could support many more waterfowl. The benefits to local wildlife would increase enormously by this simple (and minimal) form of wetland management.

To the casual observer, or to those who think neither one way nor the other regarding natural habitats, marshes usually represent a wasteland - empty, wet, and uninviting. To those who are willing to learn or who are already knowledgeable, a wetland teems with life, often rare and beautiful. Whether rare or common, that life is capable of existence only within the sanctuary of the wetlands themselves. The Richmond wetlands are one such sanctuary - close to man and yet a place apart, still mysterious, still challenging. Let us learn to value and conserve these important areas, so that man and nature may mutually benefit from their continuing presence.