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Old Norfolk County's inland wetlands are extremely important for hundreds of species of wetland-dependent flora and fauna, many of which are threatened or endangered. From a landowner and public perspective, wetlands are an integral component of the landscape, as they serve many ecological, economic and educational purposes.
The Norfolk Sand Plain is well drained by several creeks and tributaries and contains few wetlands compared to counties with less pervious soils, such as old Haldimand County. Low wetland densities and the fact that old Norfolk County is on the periphery of the geographical breeding range of most waterfowl species, make the area a sub-optimal breeding area for waterfowl. However, there are numerous swamps and wetlands in old Norfolk County that provide locally important breeding habitat for Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Canada Geese. Swamps are the most common natural wetland class in southern Ontario, and old Norfolk is no exception. However, the tobacco farms of old Norfolk County generally require extensive irrigation. This has resulted in most tobacco farmers having constructed at least one irrigation pond or dam to facilitate irrigation. While marsh habitat can be found on some impoundments, natural marshes are virtually non-existent.
The Haldimand-Norfolk area has lost 73% of its wetlands since European settlement. Most of that wetland loss can be attributed to draining and filling for agriculture and the majority of it occurred prior to 1967. Although the rate of wetland loss has declined substantially since 1967, most of today's loss continues to be due to agricultural practices. The extensive destruction of wetlands before 1967 can be attributed to a poorly informed farming community and the fact that wetlands simply could not compete economically with other land uses. Reduced rates of wetland loss since 1967 can be attributed to 1) lower agricultural investments in farm expansion, 2) implementation of a provincial wetlands policy, 3) greater farmer and public awareness of wetland values, and 4)
wetland restoration projects sponsored by conservation organizations. However, the simple fact that few wetlands remain to be drained has probably been the most substantial influence on the reduced rate of wetland loss throughout southern Ontario.
Old Norfolk's small seasonally and temporarily flooded depressions and swamplands are particularly susceptible to drainage and destruction due to the efficient drainage of sandy soils. The majority of the small wetland depressions in old Norfolk County are on private property. Consequently, the conservation of these areas is often up to the custodial responsibility of the landowner, which is in turn often highly influenced by the present state of the economy, government policy, and on an individual's level of awareness of wetland values. It should be remembered that what is left of old Norfolk's wetlands is but a fraction of the original and that the cost of restoring and/or creating wetlands will preclude the return of these high wetland densities ever again. However, we must restore wetlands where possible and do what we can to at least prevent any further net loss of wetlands in old Norfolk County, and the rest of southern Ontario.
While there is not any specific provincial legislation which pertains directly to wetland drainage, dredging, or filling, there are numerous government and non-government agencies that may provide financial or technical help or advice with the restoration or enhancement of wetlands in old Norfolk County. These agencies offer numerous options for protecting wetlands and their ecological functions: 1) wetland purchase, 2) conservation easements, 3) lease, 4) verbal agreement, and 5) public awareness campaigns. Wetland creation or restoration can also be used to increase wetland density where it is low because of drainage.
Extensive wetland destruction and the efficient drainage of old Norfolk County's sandy soils, combined with the need for irrigation water by tobacco producers, has resulted in manmade waterbodies being probably the most common type of aquatic habitat in old Norfolk County. The use of agricultural ponds by waterfowl has been shown to increase with pond size, age, presence of loafing sites, emergent vegetation, shoreline irregularity and proximity to other ponds. Consequently, incentives and guidance should be provided to farmers to encourage proper construction, management, and enhancement of farm ponds for waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife. This practice will partially offset the effects of extensive wetland drainage and destruction in old Norfolk County, while increasing the number of waterfowl that are produced in the county.