{"id":403676,"date":"2020-12-21T09:03:09","date_gmt":"2020-12-21T14:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=403676"},"modified":"2020-12-21T09:03:09","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T14:03:09","slug":"duc-re-wilds-project-on-riviere-du-nord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/duc-re-wilds-project-on-riviere-du-nord\/","title":{"rendered":"DUC re-wilds project on Rivi\u00e8re du Nord"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nDecades-old freshwater marsh will revert to saltwater to protect coastline, provide habitat for endangered species
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FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Dec. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sea-level rise is projected to hit the Maritimes in a major way, estimated to climb anywhere from 26 to 100 centimetres by 2100. Coastal salt marshes are a natural defence against storm surges, as their reedy grasses provide a stable base, buffering wave action on the coast.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is taking steps to restore these saltwater marshes, and in some cases, completely adapting its habitat management of its own projects to make it happen.<\/p>\n

A decades-old DUC habitat project site at Rivi\u00e8re du Nord on New Brunswick\u2019s Acadian Peninsula is one example where DUC is taking this new course of action. DUC developed the site in 1992 to increase waterfowl breeding habitat while maintaining the stocks of fish like Atlantic salmon and brook trout.<\/p>\n

DUC built a 250-metre dike, converting the salt marsh into an artificial freshwater site, complete with a fish ladder, which allowed fish to access the habitat within the upper tributary. The freshwater marsh provided important breeding habitat for American black ducks and a host of other wetland species.<\/p>\n

This fall, DUC breached the dike to allow salt water to flow back into the marsh so the habitat functions more naturally. Within a few months of the tidal exchange, salt grasses will begin to pop up. Over the next two to five years, the marsh will be on its way to fighting against the coastal erosion of New Brunswick\u2019s shores.<\/p>\n

These efforts are also expected to help stabilize the population of Maritime ringlets, an endangered butterfly species. Maritime ringlets have made a habitat just 500 metres away from the restored marsh, on the banks of the Rivi\u00e8re du Nord. Once the salt marsh is restored, experts hope the butterflies will make their way over and repopulate.<\/p>\n

Full story: https:\/\/www.ducks.ca\/stories\/atlantic\/re-wilding-at-riviere-du-nord\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Quotes\/Available for interviews:<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\u201cSalmon and trout will still be in the picture, and also smelt will use that system. There\u2019s a significant nutrient load that gaspereau bring into these systems that help it function. American eels are also an extremely important species within this system. Through this restoration work, we hope to provide improved access to their habitat. They have been in steady decline over a number of years. Waterfowl will also continue to benefit as black ducks will make extensive use of this marsh during spring and fall migration periods.\u201d<\/p>\n