Wetland mapping and monitoring in the Regional District of Nanaimo
Date
2021-04Author
Tomlin, Haley
Ng-Cornish, Jenica
Pyett, Jessica
Vivani, Alanna
Gilchrist, Alan
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Wetlands play a pivotal role within
the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), including
the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region
(MABR), providing ecosystem services and significant
value to the region. Wetlands in this region
face threats including climate change, hydrological
changes, urban development, and resource
extraction; therefore, it is important that
we have a more in-depth understanding of their
local roles. This study looks at what part wetlands
play in groundwater recharge or discharge.
Instrumentation was installed at three sites within
the MABR, collecting water levels in three piezometers
installed at different depths, precipitation,
and daily site photos, with data downloaded
every three months and compared to data from
the nearest climate, hydrometric, and observation
well stations. Data interpretation is still in the initial
stages and more data is required in order to
confidently conclude the role these selected wetlands have with regards to their connection to
the underlying aquifers of the region.