2017 MB Envirothon. Theme Training Document

Transcription

1 2017 MB Envirothon Theme Training Document

2 Envirothon Training Soil and Water Conservation Stewardship: Beneficial Management Practices

3 Types of BMPs Water Management BMPs: Water Retention Wetland Restoration Constructed Wetlands Buffer Strip/Grassed Runway Riparian Area Enhancement Contour Cropping Soil Management BMPs: Perennial Cover/Cover Crop Shelterbelt Natural Area Maintenance & Enhancement Conservation/Reduced Tillage Enhanced Crop Rotations

4 BMPs Benefits: Flood Reduction Water Storage Nutrient/Contaminant Removal Reduced Soil/Water Erosion Improved Wildlife Habitat Enhanced Soil/Water Quality Increased Carbon Sequestration Stabilized Shorelines/Riverbanks Increased Crop Yields And More.. Limitations: Soil Texture Landscape/Topography Cropping Systems Funding

5 Partnership Organizations Non-Government Organizations Conservation Districts BMP Design & Implementation Information Hub Funding Opportunities Ducks Unlimited BMP Research, Design & Implementation Wetlands & Waterfowl Habitat Conservation Agreements Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corp. BMP Design & Implementation Protection of any Natural Areas (wetlands, prairie, forest, etc.) Conservation Agreements Government Organizations Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada BMP Research, Design & Implementation Information Hub Funding Opportunities Manitoba Agriculture BMP Research, Design & Implementation Information Hub GO Offices Funding Opportunities

6 References & Photo Credits Soil Texture & Water Quality Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Government of Canada Web. January Growing Assurance Adoption Catalogue Manitoba Sustainable Development, Government of Manitoba Web. January 2017.

7 Envirothon Training Soil and Water Conservation Stewardship: Riparian Health for Streams and Small Rivers

8 AAFC File photo Riparian area The RIPARIAN ZONE is the area between the water s edge and the upland vegetation Found where there is:» a combined presence and abundance of water, either on the surface or close to the surface» vegetation that responds to, requires, and survives well in abundant water» soils modified by abundant water, stream processes, and lush, productive and diverse vegetation (Managing the Water s Edge p 7.; Caring for the Green Zone p 4-6.)

9 AAFC File photo Ecological Functions» Trap and store sediment» Build and maintain streambanks and shorelines» Store water and energy» Recharge groundwater aquifers» Filter and buffer water» Reduce and dissipate stream energy» Maintain biodiversity» Create primary productivity Study the detailed descriptions of these functions in Caring For the Green Zone: A User s Guide pages 8-9

10 AAFC File photo Role of Healthy Riparian Areas in Soil and Water Conservation ecological services - a long list of goods, benefits and functions Clean water, water purification services, nutrient assimilation, sediment and nutrient trapping, flood reduction, climate control, ground- and surface-water storage, carbon sequestration, and more stability - landscapes that maintain themselves, and are sustainable Reduce flood severity, resist erosion, resist climate change impacts, capture sediment and nutrients, recharge groundwater, and more resiliency - the ability to bounce back from floods, droughts and human caused problems Groundwater storage, refuge for plants and soil microorganisms, nutrient capture and more Managing the Waters Edge - Pages 9-11; Caring for the Green Zone - Pages 8-9 & 13.

11 Riparian Health Indicators 1. Vegetative Cover of Floodplain and Streambanks 2. Invasive Plant Species 3. Disturbance-Increaser Undesirable Herbaceous Species 4. Preferred Tree and Shrub Establishment and Regeneration 5. Utilization of Preferred Trees and Shrubs 6. Standing Decadent and Dead Woody Material 7. Streambank Root Mass Protection 8. Human-Caused Bare Ground 9. Streambank Structurally Altered by Human Activity 10. Pugging, Hummocking and/or Rutting 11. Stream Channel Incisement (vertical stability) Managing the Waters Edge Pages Caring for the Green Zone Users Guide Pages 16-24

12 AAFC File photo 1. Vegetative Cover of Floodplain and Streambanks How much of the riparian area is covered with plants? Any kind of vegetation: reduces the erosive forces of raindrops reduces velocity of water moving over the land allows water to infiltrate instead of run off the land traps sediment stabilizes banks absorbs and recycles nutrients reduces evaporation provides shelter and forage Managing the Waters Edge Page Caring For the Green Zone Page 16

13 2. Invasive Exotic Plant Species (2 parts) a. How much of the riparian area is covered with invasive plants? b. What is the pattern of invasive plant growth? Invasive exotic plants: can cause economic or environmental harm compete with desirable plants are a symptom of inadequate ground cover and vegetation health may positively affect some riparian functions, but overall, they reduce riparian health are also known as noxious or restricted weeds Managing the Waters Edge Page Caring For the Green Zone Page 17

14 AAFC File photo 3. Disturbance-Caused Undesirable Herbaceous Species How much of the riparian area is covered by disturbance-caused undesirable herbaceous species? Disturbance-caused plants: indicate an environment of continual stress tend to be shallow rooted and less productive offer less potential for bank stability and erosion prevention compete with desirable plants can be weeds but do not include the exotic invasive species in question 2 MWE Page Caring For the Green Zone Page 17

15 4. Preferred Tree and Shrub Establishment and Regeneration How much of the preferred tree/shrub cover is saplings or seedlings? Preferred woody species: are good bank stabilizers take up nutrients reduce the erosive forces of raindrops shelter animals and plants moderate temperatures and humidity are very palatable to herbivores regenerate more slowly than herbaceous species Managing the Waters Edge Page Caring For the Green Zone Page 18

16 AAFC File photo 5. Utilization of Preferred Trees and Shrubs How much of the desirable woody species have been browsed (i.e. bitten off by herbivores)? Heavier browsing of desirable woody species: exceeds the ability to recover from disturbance can deplete root health prevents regeneration and survival gives a competitive advantage to undesirable species Managing the Waters Edge Page Caring For the Green Zone Page 18

17 AAFC File photo 6. Standing Decadent and Dead Woody Material How much of the woody cover is dead or dying? An excess of dead and decadent (dying) woody vegetation indicates: change in water flow patterns de-watering of a riparian area excess water in a riparian area overuse by wildlife or livestock excessive rubbing or trampling by wildlife and livestock drought, severe weather, disease, insect damage MWE Page Caring for the Green Zone P. 19

18 AAFC File photo 7. Streambank Root Mass Protection How much of the streambank has deep-rooted vegetation? Deep-rooted plants: are the glue that holds streambanks together resist stream flow and energy reduce slumping and erosion include most desirable woody species include some herbaceous species, especially perennial (long-lived) native plants do not include shallow rooted species like Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, and smooth brome MWE Page Caring For the Green Zone Page 19

19 AAFC File photo 8. Human-Caused Bare Ground How much of the riparian area has bare ground caused by human activity (including livestock management)? Bare soil: can be eroded by raindrops, overland flow, or wind means there is no vegetation or roots to provide benefits is an opportunity for undesirable or invasive species to invade can exist under tree canopy and still be subject to erosion and invasion MWE Page Caring For the Green Zone P.20

20 AAFC File photo 9. Streambank Structurally Altered by Human Activity How much of the streambank has been structurally altered by human activity? Structural alteration: reinforces erosion channels prevents dissipation of stream energy reduces infiltration of water and minimizes plant and root growth includes trails, boat launches, fishing spots, timber harvest, concrete structures, channelization, drainage, livestock water access, water intakes does not include erosion/deposition features and slumps or eroding banks caused by NATURAL processes does not include ruts, pugs and hummocks caused by human or animal traffic (examined in next question) MWE Page 59; Caring For the Green Zone Page 20

21 AAFC File photo 10. Pugging, Hummocking, and Rutting How much of the riparian area is lumpy and bumpy? Pugs, ruts, and hummocks: indicate the destruction of the sponge of the riparian area by compacting and displacing soil indicate excessive use or use during inappropriate times have disrupted porosity and water content expose soil to erosion change the growing environment for plants and soil microbes are caused by animal and vehicle tracks MWE Page Caring For the Green Zone P. 21

22 AAFC File photo 11. Stream Channel Incisement How easily can the stream access its floodplain? Stream channel incisement: is when the stream digs deeper into the bottom of the channel prevents the dissipation of stream energy and water onto the floodplain increases bank instability and slumping increases the occurrence of catastrophic flooding and destruction by allowing the force of water to continue going downstream lowers the ground water table reduces seasonal water storage reduces the size of the riparian zone results in death and change to riparian vegetation results from local- to watershed-scale alteration MWE Page 62-69; Caring For the Green Zone Page 22

23 References & Photo Credits: Managing the Water s Edge Riparian Health Assessment for Streams and Small Rivers v1. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Fitch, L. and N. Ambrose Caring for the Green Zone Series - Riparian Areas: A user s guide to Health. Cows and Fish Program. Lethbridge, Alberta Photo credits: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

24 Envirothon Training Riparian Grazing and Livestock Wintering

25 Diagram and photo courtesy AAFC Riparian Grazing: Principles and Applications Observe 4 principles of grazing management if you wish to graze a riparian area sustainably. Fencing to partition grazing areas and implementing a multi-field grazing system allows you to apply all of these principles. 1. Balance forage supply with demand feed your critters, but keep plenty of plant material for capturing nutrients and sediment and for promoting riparian health fence and graze riparian areas separately to control the amount of forage grazed 2. Distribute grazing pressure effectively throughout the system fence out riparian areas to control when livestock will use them and for how long use an off-site water system, or other attractants (salt/mineral/oilers) to draw livestock use away from the water s edge

26 Jennifer Paige Manitoba Cooperator Riparian Grazing: Principles and Applications 3. Avoid or minimize use during sensitive periods don t graze when the soils are most at risk of compaction or the plants are overly sensitive to grazing or trampling (spring to early summer) minimize use when woody plants are sensitive to browsing (spring and late fall) fence riparian areas separately to control when livestock will use them 4. Allow the riparian area an opportunity to rest and recover from grazing and trampling fence riparian areas separately to keep out livestock when the riparian area is resting and recovering

27 AAFC File Photo Cattle Wintering Sites Confined feeding in inappropriate soils and sites can: Increase the risk of runoff of concentrated nutrients and pathogens Leach contaminants into ground water Disturb wildlife and plants through erosion, trampling and compaction A sustainable wintering system provides livestock with the necessities of life food, water, shelter in a way that balances production efficiency, profits and environmental stewardship

28 AAFC File Photo Cattle Wintering Sites Site location considerations: Not over-used, or a place that floods or pools in spring Fine-textured soil reduces leaching into groundwater Setback distance, minimal slope and good vegetation cover (pasture and crop residues) protect surface water Site Maintenance: Spread localized manure build-ups Don t exceed your soil s nutrient capacity Spread out animals or move them around by using portable fencing, feeding, feed storage, windbreak, and watering strategies Divert or contain temporary surface water and protect well heads and surface water sources Increase vegetative cover and install vegetated buffers during the summer

29 References & Photo Credits Managing the Water s Edge Riparian Grazing Plans (#2). Riparian Grazing Strategies Factsheet Series. Retrieved from: March 14, Managing the Water s Edge Improving Bank Stability (#4). Riparian Grazing Strategies Factsheet Series. Retrieved from: March 14, Manitoba Agriculture Livestock Wintering: Locating and Managing Your Site to Make it More Sustainable. Greencover Canada and Manitoba Growing Opportunities. Retrieved from: March 14, Photo credits: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada