Proceedings 2016/026

Proceedings for the regional peer review of the Evaluation of habitat restoration activities for species at risk fishes within the Crown Marsh (Long Point Bay); 4 May 2016

Chairperson: Lynn Bouvier
Editor: Lia Kruger

Summary

A regional science peer-review meeting was held on 4 May 2016 in Burlington, Ontario. The purpose of the meeting was to peer review the evaluation of the habitat restoration for species at risk fishes within the Crown Marsh (Long Point Bay).

The Long Point wetland complexes have been inundated with invasive plant species (e.g., European Common Reed – Phragmites australis), resulting in large expanses of monoculture wetland habitat that no longer support aquatic and terrestrial biota historically present. In response, efforts are underway to mechanically remove monocultures, and restore open water habitat. There are four wetland species at risk fishes present (Pugnose Shiner, Notropis anogenus; Lake Chubsucker, Erimyzon sucetta; Grass Pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus; and Warmouth, Lepomis gulosus) within the Crown Marsh of Long Point Bay. The area is also identified as Critical Habitat for Pugnose Shiner, Lake Chubsucker and Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida). It is unknown whether newly created wetland cells within the marsh will support local fish species recovery; or function as “population sinks” or “ecological traps”.  To determine the use of newly created open-water habitats by wetland fishes and the quality of the newly restored habitats, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) initiated a three-year effectiveness monitoring program at the Crown Marsh, Long Point Bay in 2012. Fish use and habitat quality of wetland sites were assessed by sampling newly (created in 2012) and recently created (6-7 years old) wetland habitats, and nearby reference sites for three successive field seasons (2012, 2013 and 2014).

Participants included DFO Science and Species at Risk programs, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and University of Toronto.

This proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions from the meeting and presents recommended revisions to be made to the associated research document. The working paper presented at the meeting will be published as a Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Research Document. The advice from the meeting will be published as a CSAS Science Advisory Report.

Complete document (PDF, 142 KB)

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