Wetlands in B.C.

Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse, productive and important ecosystems. They are integral to overall ecosystem health and life forms in B.C.

This page provides information on wetlands, including how they are at threat, projects that are working to protect them, partners and relevant legislation.

On this page

• About wetlands
• Wetland classes
• Threats to wetlands
• Legislation
• Partners
• Tools and resources
• Report a violation

About wetlands

Wetlands act like the kidneys of the earth, cleaning the water that flows into them. Wetlands help minimize and even remediate environmental problems. As part of nature's filtration system, wetlands:

• Improve water quality by absorbing and filtering sediments, pollutants, and excess nutrients
• Recharge groundwater and soil moisture
• Mitigate drought impacts
• Maintain stream flows
• Control rainwater runoff
• Store and moderate excess flood waters
• Reduce soil erosion
• Stabilize shorelines
• Help regulate atmospheric gases and climate cycles, partially through their high carbon storage and sequestration capacity

Wetlands play an important role in our natural environment, serving as habitat for wildlife and species at risk, and contributing to biodiversity, recreation, and important spiritual and cultural values.

Wetlands cover approximately 7% of B.C.’s landscape and provide habitat for roughly 80% of the province's wildlife species, supporting them at various stages of their life cycles.

Definition of wetland

A wetland is land that is saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment (National Wetlands Working Group, 1997).

Wetlands have three primary indicators:

• Water (wetland hydrology): refers to the presence of water at or near the surface, or waterlogged soils that occur for a long enough period most years to influence the plants and soils present
• Soil (hydric soils): waterlogged and saturated soils during the growing season create a low-oxygen environment. Common characteristics include:
  • A layer of undecomposed or partially decomposed plant material on the surface
  • Soil colour below the surface that is predominantly greyish, commonly with blotches of orange or brown
  • Soil that may have the odor of rotten eggs
• Plants (hydrophytic vegetation): Water-loving plants that have adapted to growing in low-oxygen soils with changing water levels. Commonly recognized examples include cattails and bulrushes

Wetlands can range in their hydroperiod—the duration, frequency, and timing of water present. Some wetlands are wet for only a portion of the growing season (temporary, seasonal or ephemeral wetlands), while others are considered semi-permanent or permanent, remaining wet for the majority of the year.

Seasonal wetlands and their surrounding riparian areas are important breeding habitats for native amphibian species in British Columbia. For more information, visit: 

• Reptiles and amphibians

Wetland classes

B.C. is a diverse province that is home to a wide array of wetland types. There are five main classes of wetlands found within B.C.:

• Bogs: Acidic, waterlogged areas often characterized by an abundance of peat mosses like sphagnum 
• Fens: Wetlands fed by surface or groundwater dominated by sedges and brown mosses
• Swamps: Wetlands with trees or shrubs and standing water
• Marshes: Open wetlands dominated by grasses, reeds, and other non-woody plants
• Shallow Open Waters: Small water bodies resembling ponds or lakes, dominated by submerged and floating aquatic plants 

Threats to wetlands

It is estimated that British Columbia has lost between 70-85% of wetlands in the most populated areas of the province. Historically, wetlands were lost primarily due to large-scale agricultural drainage schemes and water diversion projects.

Today wetlands are being impacted and lost to:

• Drainage and development for residential and industrial uses
• Shoreline protection projects
• Removal of streamside vegetation
• Invasion by non-native species
• Non-point source pollution
• Climate change

Legislation

There are various pieces of provincial legislation that address wetland stewardship and management, including but not limited to:

• Energy Resource Activities Act:
  • Regulates energy resource activities in a manner that protects the environment, including wetlands, during energy resource activities and development.
• Environmental Management Act:
  • Provides broad environmental protection authority and regulates activities that may impact wetlands, including waste discharge, pollution, hazardous waste, and contaminated site remediation that can affect water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
• Forest and Range Practices Act:
  • Governs forest and range activities on public lands in B.C. during forest planning, road building, timber harvesting, reforestation and livestock grazing, balancing these activities with the protection of environmental values like wetlands.
• Riparian Areas Protection Act:
  • Riparian Areas Protection Regulation:
    • Calls on local governments to protect riparian areas during residential, commercial, and industrial development by ensuring that a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) conducts a science-based assessment of proposed activities.
• Water Sustainability Act:
  • The principal law for managing the diversion and use of water resources, as well as impacts to streams and wetlands (changes in and about a stream), to ensure a sustainable supply of fresh, clean water and protect aquatic ecosystems.

This is not a comprehensive list. Additional federal, provincial, and local laws may apply. Consult with appropriate regulatory agencies and qualified professionals to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.

Partners

There are many dedicated organizations and individuals working to steward and conserve B.C.’s wetlands:

• The Wetland Stewardship Partnership:
  • A group of government and non-government organizations dedicated to the conservation of wetlands in which the B.C. government is an active participant
• Ducks Unlimited Canada:
  • Active across B.C. with a mission to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people
• The B.C. Wildlife Federation:
  • British Columbia’s leading conservation organization, made up of volunteers who aim to protect, enhance and promote the wise use of our environment for the benefit of present and future generations. Their watershed team works to protect, restore, and promote B.C.’s wetlands and watersheds
• The Nature Conservancy of Canada:
  • Canada's leading national land conservation organization. They partner with individuals, corporations, foundations, Indigenous communities and other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect our most important natural treasures - the natural areas that sustain Canada’s plants and wildlife
• The Nature Trust of British Columbia:
  • Dedicated to conserving B.C.’s biodiversity through securement, restoration, and management of ecologically significant lands
• The North American Waterfowl Management Plan:
  • International partnership to conserve abundant and resilient waterfowl populations and sustainable landscapes through management decisions based on strong biological foundations. NAWMP partners have worked to conserve and restore wetlands, associated uplands, and other key habitats for waterfowl across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, such as through the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture and Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture

Tools and resources