DUC analyzing wetlands on farms and ranches for carbon capture

High-tech monitoring towers in Manitoba measuring benefits of nature-based climate solutions.

New research in southwest Manitoba will help landowners, industry and government understand carbon storage and greenhouse gas release from wetlands in two important agricultural landscapes.

Funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), NSERC Alliance, and the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in cooperation with UBC and the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA) are measuring carbon dioxide and methane emissions from wetlands located on cattle farms and wetlands found in annual crop fields.

“Agriculture uses a significant amount of land in Western Canada and our study will help inform how different agricultural practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” explains Pascal Badiou, lead project scientist from DUC’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research. “Scientific measurements are key in protecting and managing the remaining intact natural ecosystems found on these prairie farms.” 

Towers equipped with sensors are deployed on farms and ranches near Riding Mountain National Park – the first time “flux towers” will measure wetland emissions within the Prairie Pothole Region. Spanning Western Canada and several American states, the region contains natural grasslands and wetlands which provide flood and drought mitigation, water purification, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Sixteen farms in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are involved in DUC’s research and that number could increase to 20 as field staff spend the summer months gathering data. 

“The preservation of grasslands and wetlands by beef and forage producers represents a major environmental service associated with the livestock industry,” says Lawrence Knockaert, MFGA Chair. “Accounting for the ecosystem services from these systems will be important for developing effective communications to increase public knowledge of the role the beef and forage industry play in maintaining natural landscapes and the services they provide society.”

With results expected in 2023, the study will:

• generate data necessary to facilitate the inclusion of wetlands and wetland management in national reporting for greenhouse gases (GHG) and carbon sequestration;
• inform offset protocols involving wetland restoration, potentially providing a new revenue stream to beef and crop producers managing environmental on-farm assets; and
• lay the groundwork for a long-term monitoring program across the Canadian Prairies.

DUC sees these results as a step toward farmers and ranchers monetizing the environmental benefits produced from their good land stewardship. 

Previous research by DUC, MFGA and the University of Saskatchewan shows wetlands buffer climate change by lowering extreme summer temperatures and that wetlands and grasslands are important in moderating severe climatic conditions, particularly in regions that may go from drought to flooding within the same year.

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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC’s innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca