Articles from:January 2020

  • MEOPAR BLOG: Swales – ‘The Silent Stormwater Sweepers’

    Monday, January 27, 2020 | By

    Swales, shown above, are an example of an efficient adaptation measure for excessive rainfall/flooding.

    As communities face unprecedented challenges for managing flooding and other severe rainfall events, swales and other drainage mechanisms have come to play a critical role in climate change adaptation.

    Swales are shallow, broad and vegetated channels that have gently sloping sides. Swales can exist naturally or be man-made, created to manage water runoff, filter pollutants, and increase absorption of rainwater in the ground. These drainage ditches are typically located next to roads, but they are also utilized in heavily landscaped areas and can be found near parking lots, fields, and other open spaces. You may even have a swale running across your backyard, which was built to direct water downward and prevent flooding. In urban areas, swales might also be used to reduce the turbidity (cloudiness caused by suspended solids) in water before it enters the municipal wastewater system or is discharged into a nearby water body. This process reduces harm to plants and other aquatic species in that ecosystem.

    Swales have many advantages as they are easy to incorporate into landscaping have a low capital investment compared to a storm drainage system, their maintenance can be integrated with the general management of the landscape, and) any blockages are easy to view and manage. They may not be suitable for landscapes with steep hills, however.  Additionally, if regular maintenance is not carried out, swales can become blocked by litter, rendering them ineffective and blocking downstream pipe systems.

    Despite these limitations, swales are a crucial climate change adaptation measure that will continue to be beneficial to communities across the region as patterns of erratic rainfall become more frequent every year.

    The researchers involved with the MEOPAR-Lincoln Community Sustainability Project are working to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and how communities can effectively adapt, and increase resilience, to these changes. Follow along with our blog every week (written by researchers Liette Vasseur, Meredith DeCock, Bradley May, Pulkit Garg and Sam Gauthier) to learn more about the project and how you can get involved. You can also visit our website at brocku.ca/unesco-chair or email us at [email protected].

     

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • MEOPAR BLOG: Agricultural Ditches: A Unique Ecosystem For Climate Change Adaptation

    Sunday, January 26, 2020 | By

    You may think of them as little more than the space that separates agricultural fields, but ditches are actually very complex ecosystems. Integrating the characteristics and features of streams and wetlands, ditches can exist as straight channels with sediment at the bottom, or as full-on intermittent wetlands that support year-long vegetation and organic matter.

    Humans have been using ditches for agricultural purposes since 9000 B.C. in Mesopotamia. These small to moderate depressions, found along the sides of fields, can be used to either drain water from low-lying areas or bring it in from elsewhere for use in plant irrigation. They vary in size, ranging from small, depressed channels, designed to carry surface runoff, to big channels, used for draining watersheds and regional groundwater.

    Their primary function is to ensure first that the fields are not too wet to cultivate. This helps plant growth and agricultural yields by reducing waterlogging and crop damage. Water is moved from poorly drained agricultural areas in the field to these ditches through tiles that are integrated into the fields. Vegetated ditches also reduce the flow of pollutants from agricultural fields to downstream water bodies like lakes, ponds and rivers. This offers farmers a low-cost alternative to manage chemical run off from their fields, which also protects natural resources. Water can also be stored in these ditches and wetlands to be used later when the area is experiencing drought conditions.

    With the impacts of climate change becoming more evident every day—especially with the increased variability of rainfall from year-to-year—ditches hold a great deal of importance to the agricultural community as a measure of climate change adaptation. As we continue to experience higher water variability and increasing instances of severe rainfall events and flooding, efficient drainage solutions can become even more critical. In the next blog, we will discuss the importance of swales, which are other drainage ditches found along the side of roads.

    The researchers involved with the MEOPAR project are working to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and how communities can effectively adapt, and increase resilience, to these changes. Follow along with our blog every week (written by researchers Liette Vasseur, Meredith DeCock, Bradley May, Pulkit Garg and Sam Gauthier) to learn more about the project and how you can get involved.

     

    Categories: MEOPAR-Lincoln Blog, Updates of the Chair

  • MEOPAR Project: Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

    Monday, January 20, 2020 | By

    Vineyards in the Niagara region, like the one pictured above, taken in May 2019 by Liette Vasseur, are among are among those impacted by climate changes.

    When we think about the effects of climate change, we most often think about the planet becoming warmer, melting glaciers, biodiversity loss, flooding and drought. What many of us may not realize, however, is that the food we consume, and the way it is grown, is also impacted by climate change.

    Farming communities all over the world are bearing the brunt of climate change. Changes in precipitation, for example, means that there may be less water available for irrigation, and can lead to droughts during the growing season. With extreme rainfall, on the other hand, soils can become saturated, which delays crop planting and can lead to lower overall crop yields.  Warmer weather can also lead to increases of invasive pest species that can become a financial burden and drain on resources for farmers. Climate change can also result in increased cooling requirements and energy costs for greenhouse operators and inflict higher heat stress on animals and livestock.

    While farmers in some regions are struggling to grow crops due to droughts, the excessive rainfall and flooding experienced in other regions are wreaking havoc for others. The Niagara region has experienced both of these extremes (flooding in the spring, droughts in the summer). This can impact local farmers not only financially, but emotionally, as well. Under these conditions, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain production. Climate change adaptation is therefore an important step to ensure agricultural sustainability.

    Examining the possible strategies to adapt to climate change is a good first step and the  MEOPAR Research team will be holding focus group meetings on these issues. The first will focus on agriculture,and will be held on October 31 at 8:30 am in Beamsville. For details, contact [email protected]

    The researchers involved with the MEOPAR project are working to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and how communities can effectively adapt, and increase resilience, to these changes. Follow along with these articles every week (written by researchers Liette Vasseur, Meredith DeCock, Bradley May and Pulkit Garg) to learn more about the project and how you can get involved. You can also visit the project website at brocku.ca/unesco-chair or contact the team via email at [email protected]

     

    Categories: MEOPAR-Lincoln Blog, Updates of the Chair

  • MEOPAR BLOG: Green Spaces and climate change

    Thursday, January 16, 2020 | By

    An example of a green space in the Town of Lincoln is Charles Daley Park.

    Research has shown that cities with well-maintained green spaces are more sustainable and have citizens that are happier and healthier. But what exactly are green spaces and why are they so important?

    A green space is an umbrella term that refers to an open area such as a park, sports field, nature reserve, forested area, and natural meadow, that have been integrated into our built environment. They are rich in biodiversity as they are home to numerous animals and plants that would not normally exist in the built urban environment. Green spaces represent a fundamental component of any urban ecosystem to maintain various ecological, health-promoting, aesthetic, and recreational functions.

    For example, trees in green spaces help filter out harmful air pollutants and airborne particulates to keep our air clean. They also have aesthetic and recreational values. Green spaces serve as sites for social interactions and help build positive attitudes among people. They contribute positively to people’s physical and mental health by helping to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Some cities have even transformed green spaces into gardens, where members of the local community can spend time planting and tending to vegetables and congregating and developing relationships with fellow gardeners. This is all in addition to harvesting the food they have grown.

    Trees and shrubs in green spaces contribute to climate change mitigation by capturing carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gas emissions. Through shading buildings and people, trees keep the urban areas cooler by dissipating the heat accumulated in landlocked urban settings. Placed strategically around buildings, they can reduce sun and heat exposure during the day and reduce winds.

    Maintaining and utilizing green spaces and promoting plant diversity within them is important for communities seeking to reduce their footprint and enhance their resilience to climate change. Effective participation and involvement of everyone in the community is critical to maintaining these green spaces and reaping the associated benefits.

    The researchers involved with the MEOPAR project are working to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and how communities can effectively adapt and increase resilience to these changes. Follow along with our blog every week (written by researchers Liette Vasseur, Meredith DeCock, Bradley May, Pulkit Garg and Sam Gauthier) to learn more about the project and how you can get involved. You can also visit our website at brocku.ca/unesco-chair or email us at [email protected]. For more information about the project, contact us using this form, or, via email at [email protected]

     

     

     

    Categories: MEOPAR-Lincoln Blog, Updates of the Chair

  • The importance of shoreline protection for nesting shorebirds

    Monday, January 06, 2020 | By

    In previous articles, we have discussed natural hazards and the effects they have on shoreline communities. What most people may not realize is that shorebirds are also affected by natural hazards and by the types of shoreline protection being used.

    Many species of birds rely on our Great Lakes’ shorelines to feed, rest or for nesting during the breeding season. These species rely on either the sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, or grasslands located close to these areas. Birds will choose to nest in those areas and will stay until their young are old enough to leave. The Niagara region is home to six sites that are designated as important bird areas. These sites include Beamer Conservation area, the west end of Lake Ontario, Twelve Mile Creek Headwaters, Port Colborne, Point Albino and the Niagara River Corridor.

    \Important bird areas are needed to ensure the survival of many bird species viable populations throughout the world. Many other shoreline areas, some that are likely on private properties, are also important for the breeding of migratory species of birds in Niagara. Some of the species of shorebirds located in the Greater Niagara Region include the piping plover, sanderling, bank swallows, semipalmated sandpiper and many waterfowl such as mallards or Canadian geese.

    Many shorebird species are considered to be migratory birds and temporarily rely on these shoreline areas for resources during their migratory route. Niagara region is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, making it an ideal corridor for migratory birds. However, with urbanization, these areas are becoming increasingly threatened due to increased infrastructure along the coast. Climate change, including changes in storms, has affected the rate of erosion and water level fluctuations. These shoreline areas may become less accessible for shorebirds in the future, which will result in less areas for nesting, resting and accessing food. These hazards and changes are causing the shoreline area to recede and have led to declines in many shorebirds’ populations.

    Declining shorebird population results in a shift in biodiversity and can lead to a decline in economic activity such as bird watching. Indeed, shorebirds are an important economic activity in the region as it is considered a large tourist attraction. This is a popular hobby for many people and billions of dollars (over $12 million per year just in southern Ontario) are spent every year. Communities in this region can improve their economy by simply supporting conservation of shorelines through ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. There are many strategies that can be used to help protect these shorebird populations, some have already been suggested, and there will be many more to come.

    The researchers involved with the MEOPAR project are working to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and how communities can effectively adapt, and increase resilience, to these changes. Follow along with these articles every week (written by researchers Liette Vasseur, Meredith DeCock, Bradley May and Pulkit Garg) to learn more about the project and how you can get involved. You can also visit the project website or contact the team via email at [email protected]

    Categories: MEOPAR-Lincoln Blog, Updates of the Chair