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By screening for up to 172 pesticide compounds (primarily herbicides and insecticides), this research investigated the types and concentrations of pesticide compounds present in water-column and bottom-sediment samples collected from four rivers in the Province of Manitoba, Canada. A total of 34 unique compounds were detected in the water-column (n=202) with broadleaf herbicides among the most frequently detected (2,4-D, bentazone, clopyralid, MCPA), in addition to herbicides atrazine and metolachlor that are widely used in the United States Corn Belt. Herbicide triclopyr was only detected after the Red River entered urban landscapes in Manitoba but many other unique active ingredients were already detected in the first sampling station immediately after the Canadian-United States border. Only 6 unique compounds have set Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, and their guidelines were never exceeded. A total of 32 unique compounds were detected in bottom sediments (n=94) of which 78% are current-use active ingredients in Manitoba. In addition to sediments, pesticides can be sorbed to other constituents present in rivers such as microplastics which are believed to be carriers of legacy insecticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). This study investigated the sorption of current-use herbicides (2,4 D, atrazine, glyphosate) by microplastics which was virtually negligible, except for glyphosate sorption by PVC (35%). In contrast, the sorption of DDT by these same microplastics was always >50% (of the initial DDT in solution). Finally, this study investigated the efficiency of single and dual-cell biobeds in the Prairies to minimize point-source pollution by allowing the capture and degradation of pesticide residues associated with sprayer rinsing. With a few exceptions (clopyralid, fluroxypyr and imazethapyr), biobeds always showed to be highly effective in reducing pesticides concentrations in rinsate. The PTI (Pesticide Toxicity Ind

By screening for up to 172 pesticide compounds (primarily herbicides and insecticides), this research investigated the types and concentrations of pesticide compounds present in water-column and bottom-sediment samples collected from four rivers in the Province of Manitoba, Canada. A total of 34 unique compounds were detected in the water-column (n=202) with broadleaf herbicides among the most frequently detected (2,4-D, bentazone, clopyralid, MCPA), in addition to herbicides atrazine and metolachlor that are widely used in the United States Corn Belt. Herbicide triclopyr was only detected after the Red River entered urban landscapes in Manitoba but many other unique active ingredients were already detected in the first sampling station immediately after the Canadian-United States border. Only 6 unique compounds have set Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, and their guidelines were never exceeded. A total of 32 unique compounds were detected in bottom sediments (n=94) of which 78% are current-use active ingredients in Manitoba. In addition to sediments, pesticides can be sorbed to other constituents present in rivers such as microplastics which are believed to be carriers of legacy insecticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). This study investigated the sorption of current-use herbicides (2,4 D, atrazine, glyphosate) by microplastics which was virtually negligible, except for glyphosate sorption by PVC (35%). In contrast, the sorption of DDT by these same microplastics was always >50% (of the initial DDT in solution). Finally, this study investigated the efficiency of single and dual-cell biobeds in the Prairies to minimize point-source pollution by allowing the capture and degradation of pesticide residues associated with sprayer rinsing. With a few exceptions (clopyralid, fluroxypyr and imazethapyr), biobeds always showed to be highly effective in reducing pesticides concentrations in rinsate. The PTI (Pesticide Toxicity Ind

By screening for up to 172 pesticide compounds (primarily herbicides and insecticides), this research investigated the types and concentrations of pesticide compounds present in water-column and bottom-sediment samples collected from four rivers in the Province of Manitoba, Canada. A total of 34 unique compounds were detected in the water-column (n=202) with broadleaf herbicides among the most frequently detected (2,4-D, bentazone, clopyralid, MCPA), in addition to herbicides atrazine and metolachlor that are widely used in the United States Corn Belt. Herbicide triclopyr was only detected after the Red River entered urban landscapes in Manitoba but many other unique active ingredients were already detected in the first sampling station immediately after the Canadian-United States border. Only 6 unique compounds have set Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, and their guidelines were never exceeded. A total of 32 unique compounds were detected in bottom sediments (n=94) of which 78% are current-use active ingredients in Manitoba. In addition to sediments, pesticides can be sorbed to other constituents present in rivers such as microplastics which are believed to be carriers of legacy insecticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). This study investigated the sorption of current-use herbicides (2,4 D, atrazine, glyphosate) by microplastics which was virtually negligible, except for glyphosate sorption by PVC (35%). In contrast, the sorption of DDT by these same microplastics was always >50% (of the initial DDT in solution). Finally, this study investigated the efficiency of single and dual-cell biobeds in the Prairies to minimize point-source pollution by allowing the capture and degradation of pesticide residues associated with sprayer rinsing. With a few exceptions (clopyralid, fluroxypyr and imazethapyr), biobeds always showed to be highly effective in reducing pesticides concentrations in rinsate. The PTI (Pesticide Toxicity Ind

The historical occurrence of hydroelectric development in northern Manitoba has resulted in disturbed areas without vegetative cover within the boreal forest. These disturbed areas exhibit conditions detrimental to restoration, including compacted soil lacking in nutrients, and organic matter and possessing low water-holding capacities. Northern climate conditions and short growing seasons further inhibit recovery potential. The study objective was to develop a strategy for encouraging self-sustaining native plant communities on borrow areas in northern Manitoba. Using fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculations, seeding, transplants and cuttings were carried out using locally sourced plant species. Soil nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity were analyzed for differences among treatments and the surrounding undisturbed forest to determine the impacts of material extraction on the land. Plant number, height, leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll a + b and total proteins as a proxy for stress were used to determine plant suitability for revegetation. Additionally, the height of trees planted by Manitoba Hydro and monitoring of the natural revegetation were performed over the duration of the experiment. Results of this study show transplantation as the most effective planting method due to the lower survival of seeds and cuttings. Successful establishment of Fragaria virginiana and Rubus idaeus transplants was observed. Inorganic fertilizer application resulted in increased leaf area and height of some species. Soil nutrients were significantly higher in fertilized plots although no significant differences were identified in the number or stress of plants between treatments. Differences in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and pH were found between the borrow pits and undisturbed forested areas. Inoculation with Oidiodendron maius increased survival of transplanted Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Natural revegetatio

The white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) is widely distributed throughout both the Caribbean region and the mangrove ecosystems (mangals) it inhabits, despite being considered restricted to the landward fringes of the forest (i.e., the back mangal). In Grenada, it has been observed expressing various forms of phenotypic plasticity, including aerial root expression, prompting questions about the link between its plasticity and mangrove community zonation. I hypothesized that mangal zonation and white mangrove plasticity were influenced by both site-level (forest type) and plot-level factors (edaphology and hydrology), and that plasticity also contributed to the zonation observed through niche expansion. I conducted vegetation surveys at one basin forest and one fringe forest in Grenada in summer 2020–2021, collecting environmental (site characteristics and soil chemistry) and vegetation data (tree height and size, aerial root presence, leaf size and thickness). I also surveyed white mangroves at nine additional sites across three islands in the country to further document the extent of white mangrove plasticity. Overall, the species was more structurally important (i.e., had a higher relative density and dominance) than both red and black mangroves and was well-distributed in all zones except the fringe forest’s seaward zone. White mangroves showed preference for higher-elevation habitat with a limited hydroperiod, including the seaward zone of the basin forest, revealing that their distribution is driven by elevation and not zone per se. White mangroves exhibited trait plasticity in tree height, diameter, leaf size, and root form in response to salinity and elevation. Plasticity in root form was most interesting, as white mangroves produced pneumatophores in shallow water and adventitious roots in deeper water, allowing the species to survive in varying water depths and defy expected zonation patterns. The link between these two concepts should be explored in othe

The white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) is widely distributed throughout both the Caribbean region and the mangrove ecosystems (mangals) it inhabits, despite being considered restricted to the landward fringes of the forest (i.e., the back mangal). In Grenada, it has been observed expressing various forms of phenotypic plasticity, including aerial root expression, prompting questions about the link between its plasticity and mangrove community zonation. I hypothesized that mangal zonation and white mangrove plasticity were influenced by both site-level (forest type) and plot-level factors (edaphology and hydrology), and that plasticity also contributed to the zonation observed through niche expansion. I conducted vegetation surveys at one basin forest and one fringe forest in Grenada in summer 2020–2021, collecting environmental (site characteristics and soil chemistry) and vegetation data (tree height and size, aerial root presence, leaf size and thickness). I also surveyed white mangroves at nine additional sites across three islands in the country to further document the extent of white mangrove plasticity. Overall, the species was more structurally important (i.e., had a higher relative density and dominance) than both red and black mangroves and was well-distributed in all zones except the fringe forest’s seaward zone. White mangroves showed preference for higher-elevation habitat with a limited hydroperiod, including the seaward zone of the basin forest, revealing that their distribution is driven by elevation and not zone per se. White mangroves exhibited trait plasticity in tree height, diameter, leaf size, and root form in response to salinity and elevation. Plasticity in root form was most interesting, as white mangroves produced pneumatophores in shallow water and adventitious roots in deeper water, allowing the species to survive in varying water depths and defy expected zonation patterns. The link between these two concepts should be explored in othe

The historical occurrence of hydroelectric development in northern Manitoba has resulted in disturbed areas without vegetative cover within the boreal forest. These disturbed areas exhibit conditions detrimental to restoration, including compacted soil lacking in nutrients, and organic matter and possessing low water-holding capacities. Northern climate conditions and short growing seasons further inhibit recovery potential. The study objective was to develop a strategy for encouraging self-sustaining native plant communities on borrow areas in northern Manitoba. Using fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculations, seeding, transplants and cuttings were carried out using locally sourced plant species. Soil nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity were analyzed for differences among treatments and the surrounding undisturbed forest to determine the impacts of material extraction on the land. Plant number, height, leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll a + b and total proteins as a proxy for stress were used to determine plant suitability for revegetation. Additionally, the height of trees planted by Manitoba Hydro and monitoring of the natural revegetation were performed over the duration of the experiment. Results of this study show transplantation as the most effective planting method due to the lower survival of seeds and cuttings. Successful establishment of Fragaria virginiana and Rubus idaeus transplants was observed. Inorganic fertilizer application resulted in increased leaf area and height of some species. Soil nutrients were significantly higher in fertilized plots although no significant differences were identified in the number or stress of plants between treatments. Differences in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and pH were found between the borrow pits and undisturbed forested areas. Inoculation with Oidiodendron maius increased survival of transplanted Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Natural revegetatio

The historical occurrence of hydroelectric development in northern Manitoba has resulted in disturbed areas without vegetative cover within the boreal forest. These disturbed areas exhibit conditions detrimental to restoration, including compacted soil lacking in nutrients, and organic matter and possessing low water-holding capacities. Northern climate conditions and short growing seasons further inhibit recovery potential. The study objective was to develop a strategy for encouraging self-sustaining native plant communities on borrow areas in northern Manitoba. Using fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculations, seeding, transplants and cuttings were carried out using locally sourced plant species. Soil nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity were analyzed for differences among treatments and the surrounding undisturbed forest to determine the impacts of material extraction on the land. Plant number, height, leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll a + b and total proteins as a proxy for stress were used to determine plant suitability for revegetation. Additionally, the height of trees planted by Manitoba Hydro and monitoring of the natural revegetation were performed over the duration of the experiment. Results of this study show transplantation as the most effective planting method due to the lower survival of seeds and cuttings. Successful establishment of Fragaria virginiana and Rubus idaeus transplants was observed. Inorganic fertilizer application resulted in increased leaf area and height of some species. Soil nutrients were significantly higher in fertilized plots although no significant differences were identified in the number or stress of plants between treatments. Differences in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and pH were found between the borrow pits and undisturbed forested areas. Inoculation with Oidiodendron maius increased survival of transplanted Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Natural revegetatio

Arctic under-ice phytoplankton blooms are initiated by a sudden increase in the transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400 – 700 nm) as a result of the formation of surface melt ponds in late spring. However, the more pronounced spatial variability in irradiance levels beneath ponded and white ice compared to snow-covered ice create difficulties in measuring light availability for primary production. In this thesis, the impact of spatiotemporal variability in transmitted irradiance on under-ice light field parameters is examined and later applied to produce the first estimate of late spring production in the ice-covered Hudson Bay. Phytoplankton production is estimated based on PAR availability at the ice bottom and its vertical attenuation with increasing water depth. I demonstrated that spatially averaged transmittance from large-scale continuous measurements provides more representative estimates of under-ice PAR relative to single point irradiance measurements due to large variations in transmitted PAR. Vertical irradiance profiles in the first meters of the water column are greatly influenced by these spatial variations and the horizontal spreading of light in the overlying ice cover. Therefore, it is recommended to derive the diffuse vertical attenuation coefficient from deeper depths. To further account for the shift from a diffuse to a more-downward directed light field with ongoing ice surface melt, these measurements should be performed with scalar radiometers with a spherical collector. Otherwise measured downwelling irradiance can be converted into scalar irradiance by using under-ice downwelling average cosine values, for which direct measurements are first reported in this thesis. Applying this improved parametrization of the apparent optical properties in the investigation of microalgal primary production in Hudson Bay, I estimate that 32% of annual biomass is produced during the sea ice melt period. Under-ice phytoplankton reach hi

Arctic under-ice phytoplankton blooms are initiated by a sudden increase in the transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400 – 700 nm) as a result of the formation of surface melt ponds in late spring. However, the more pronounced spatial variability in irradiance levels beneath ponded and white ice compared to snow-covered ice create difficulties in measuring light availability for primary production. In this thesis, the impact of spatiotemporal variability in transmitted irradiance on under-ice light field parameters is examined and later applied to produce the first estimate of late spring production in the ice-covered Hudson Bay. Phytoplankton production is estimated based on PAR availability at the ice bottom and its vertical attenuation with increasing water depth. I demonstrated that spatially averaged transmittance from large-scale continuous measurements provides more representative estimates of under-ice PAR relative to single point irradiance measurements due to large variations in transmitted PAR. Vertical irradiance profiles in the first meters of the water column are greatly influenced by these spatial variations and the horizontal spreading of light in the overlying ice cover. Therefore, it is recommended to derive the diffuse vertical attenuation coefficient from deeper depths. To further account for the shift from a diffuse to a more-downward directed light field with ongoing ice surface melt, these measurements should be performed with scalar radiometers with a spherical collector. Otherwise measured downwelling irradiance can be converted into scalar irradiance by using under-ice downwelling average cosine values, for which direct measurements are first reported in this thesis. Applying this improved parametrization of the apparent optical properties in the investigation of microalgal primary production in Hudson Bay, I estimate that 32% of annual biomass is produced during the sea ice melt period. Under-ice phytoplankton reach hi

Delta Marsh is a freshwater inland coastal wetland located along the southern basin of Lake Manitoba, Canada. Spanning over 19,000 hectares, Delta Marsh is a eutrophic wetland complex that was formerly a world-renowned destination for waterfowl hunting. Over the past half century, the marsh has been in a state of decline due to invasive plant and animal species, stabilized water levels, and eutrophication due to increased nutrient loading from surrounding development. This prompted a coalition of organizations, including Ducks Unlimited Canada, to begin the “Delta Marsh: Restoring the Tradition” project in 2008 aimed at revitalizing the ecological processes and human traditions of the marsh. The objectives of this study were to investigate the marsh sediments to determine their historic rates of phosphorus accumulation and the current ability to bind phosphorus. I determined how nutrient levels have changed in the marsh over time as well as the ability for surface sediments to act as a sink or a source of phosphorus to the marsh. This was accomplished by collecting two sets of core samples; ten 50-cm cores dated using 210Pb and 137Cs and twenty-two 5-cm cores utilized for phosphorus sorption experiments. All core samples were analyzed for sediment physiochemical parameters including phosphorus concentrations, metal cations, and organic matter. For the most part, surficial sediments acted as a phosphorus sink with some inter-season variability. Furthermore, I found that phosphorus in the sediments, and by proxy the marsh waters, have been both increasing and becoming more labile over the past century (particularly since 1960), potentially indicating increasing eutrophic conditions in the marsh. These results varied across the marsh, with the largest nutrient increases occurring in the west side of the marsh, and higher phosphorus concentrations in the emergent and wet meadow vegetation zones relative to the open-water. Overall, these results indicate that although th

This thesis as a part of the rehabilitation project Restoring the Tradition at Delta Marsh, details stable water isotope research. Stable water isotopes are applied as a tool to quantify the water balance of the Marsh. A four-year sampling campaign for stable water isotopes was launched. Coupled with the hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, stable water isotopes assist in the understanding of contemporary water balance and the relative contribution of inflows to evaporative losses. Two hydrologically different years (2013 and 2014) are compared to offer insight into the Marsh functioning under differing climatic conditions. A contemporary isotopic framework was developed to determine correlation between end-members influencing Marsh hydrologic change. The framework has shown that the Marsh is not in hydrologic steady-state, which was previously confirmed by 2D hydraulic modelling. An isotope mass balance mixing model was established to evaluate evaporative loss (relative to inflows), and to determine residence time and water yield including marsh-lake dynamic interactions. Time series modelling was performed and confirmed that a time-dependent isotopic model is more suitable than a fraction-dependent model for modelling Marsh isotope composition. Evaporation is the most significant component in the water balance. The isotope mass balance model demonstrated that evaporation to inflow ratio was 22% in 2013 and 24% in 2014. Water residence time was found to be 99 and 140 days in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Water yield for both years was approximately 280 mm/year.

This thesis as a part of the rehabilitation project Restoring the Tradition at Delta Marsh, details stable water isotope research. Stable water isotopes are applied as a tool to quantify the water balance of the Marsh. A four-year sampling campaign for stable water isotopes was launched. Coupled with the hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, stable water isotopes assist in the understanding of contemporary water balance and the relative contribution of inflows to evaporative losses. Two hydrologically different years (2013 and 2014) are compared to offer insight into the Marsh functioning under differing climatic conditions. A contemporary isotopic framework was developed to determine correlation between end-members influencing Marsh hydrologic change. The framework has shown that the Marsh is not in hydrologic steady-state, which was previously confirmed by 2D hydraulic modelling. An isotope mass balance mixing model was established to evaluate evaporative loss (relative to inflows), and to determine residence time and water yield including marsh-lake dynamic interactions. Time series modelling was performed and confirmed that a time-dependent isotopic model is more suitable than a fraction-dependent model for modelling Marsh isotope composition. Evaporation is the most significant component in the water balance. The isotope mass balance model demonstrated that evaporation to inflow ratio was 22% in 2013 and 24% in 2014. Water residence time was found to be 99 and 140 days in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Water yield for both years was approximately 280 mm/year.

Delta Marsh is a freshwater inland coastal wetland located along the southern basin of Lake Manitoba, Canada. Spanning over 19,000 hectares, Delta Marsh is a eutrophic wetland complex that was formerly a world-renowned destination for waterfowl hunting. Over the past half century, the marsh has been in a state of decline due to invasive plant and animal species, stabilized water levels, and eutrophication due to increased nutrient loading from surrounding development. This prompted a coalition of organizations, including Ducks Unlimited Canada, to begin the “Delta Marsh: Restoring the Tradition” project in 2008 aimed at revitalizing the ecological processes and human traditions of the marsh. The objectives of this study were to investigate the marsh sediments to determine their historic rates of phosphorus accumulation and the current ability to bind phosphorus. I determined how nutrient levels have changed in the marsh over time as well as the ability for surface sediments to act as a sink or a source of phosphorus to the marsh. This was accomplished by collecting two sets of core samples; ten 50-cm cores dated using 210Pb and 137Cs and twenty-two 5-cm cores utilized for phosphorus sorption experiments. All core samples were analyzed for sediment physiochemical parameters including phosphorus concentrations, metal cations, and organic matter. For the most part, surficial sediments acted as a phosphorus sink with some inter-season variability. Furthermore, I found that phosphorus in the sediments, and by proxy the marsh waters, have been both increasing and becoming more labile over the past century (particularly since 1960), potentially indicating increasing eutrophic conditions in the marsh. These results varied across the marsh, with the largest nutrient increases occurring in the west side of the marsh, and higher phosphorus concentrations in the emergent and wet meadow vegetation zones relative to the open-water. Overall, these results indicate that although th

This thesis as a part of the rehabilitation project Restoring the Tradition at Delta Marsh, details stable water isotope research. Stable water isotopes are applied as a tool to quantify the water balance of the Marsh. A four-year sampling campaign for stable water isotopes was launched. Coupled with the hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, stable water isotopes assist in the understanding of contemporary water balance and the relative contribution of inflows to evaporative losses. Two hydrologically different years (2013 and 2014) are compared to offer insight into the Marsh functioning under differing climatic conditions. A contemporary isotopic framework was developed to determine correlation between end-members influencing Marsh hydrologic change. The framework has shown that the Marsh is not in hydrologic steady-state, which was previously confirmed by 2D hydraulic modelling. An isotope mass balance mixing model was established to evaluate evaporative loss (relative to inflows), and to determine residence time and water yield including marsh-lake dynamic interactions. Time series modelling was performed and confirmed that a time-dependent isotopic model is more suitable than a fraction-dependent model for modelling Marsh isotope composition. Evaporation is the most significant component in the water balance. The isotope mass balance model demonstrated that evaporation to inflow ratio was 22% in 2013 and 24% in 2014. Water residence time was found to be 99 and 140 days in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Water yield for both years was approximately 280 mm/year.

Delta Marsh is a freshwater inland coastal wetland located along the southern basin of Lake Manitoba, Canada. Spanning over 19,000 hectares, Delta Marsh is a eutrophic wetland complex that was formerly a world-renowned destination for waterfowl hunting. Over the past half century, the marsh has been in a state of decline due to invasive plant and animal species, stabilized water levels, and eutrophication due to increased nutrient loading from surrounding development. This prompted a coalition of organizations, including Ducks Unlimited Canada, to begin the “Delta Marsh: Restoring the Tradition” project in 2008 aimed at revitalizing the ecological processes and human traditions of the marsh. The objectives of this study were to investigate the marsh sediments to determine their historic rates of phosphorus accumulation and the current ability to bind phosphorus. I determined how nutrient levels have changed in the marsh over time as well as the ability for surface sediments to act as a sink or a source of phosphorus to the marsh. This was accomplished by collecting two sets of core samples; ten 50-cm cores dated using 210Pb and 137Cs and twenty-two 5-cm cores utilized for phosphorus sorption experiments. All core samples were analyzed for sediment physiochemical parameters including phosphorus concentrations, metal cations, and organic matter. For the most part, surficial sediments acted as a phosphorus sink with some inter-season variability. Furthermore, I found that phosphorus in the sediments, and by proxy the marsh waters, have been both increasing and becoming more labile over the past century (particularly since 1960), potentially indicating increasing eutrophic conditions in the marsh. These results varied across the marsh, with the largest nutrient increases occurring in the west side of the marsh, and higher phosphorus concentrations in the emergent and wet meadow vegetation zones relative to the open-water. Overall, these results indicate that although th

This thesis as a part of the rehabilitation project Restoring the Tradition at Delta Marsh, details stable water isotope research. Stable water isotopes are applied as a tool to quantify the water balance of the Marsh. A four-year sampling campaign for stable water isotopes was launched. Coupled with the hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, stable water isotopes assist in the understanding of contemporary water balance and the relative contribution of inflows to evaporative losses. Two hydrologically different years (2013 and 2014) are compared to offer insight into the Marsh functioning under differing climatic conditions. A contemporary isotopic framework was developed to determine correlation between end-members influencing Marsh hydrologic change. The framework has shown that the Marsh is not in hydrologic steady-state, which was previously confirmed by 2D hydraulic modelling. An isotope mass balance mixing model was established to evaluate evaporative loss (relative to inflows), and to determine residence time and water yield including marsh-lake dynamic interactions. Time series modelling was performed and confirmed that a time-dependent isotopic model is more suitable than a fraction-dependent model for modelling Marsh isotope composition. Evaporation is the most significant component in the water balance. The isotope mass balance model demonstrated that evaporation to inflow ratio was 22% in 2013 and 24% in 2014. Water residence time was found to be 99 and 140 days in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Water yield for both years was approximately 280 mm/year.

Delta Marsh is a freshwater inland coastal wetland located along the southern basin of Lake Manitoba, Canada. Spanning over 19,000 hectares, Delta Marsh is a eutrophic wetland complex that was formerly a world-renowned destination for waterfowl hunting. Over the past half century, the marsh has been in a state of decline due to invasive plant and animal species, stabilized water levels, and eutrophication due to increased nutrient loading from surrounding development. This prompted a coalition of organizations, including Ducks Unlimited Canada, to begin the “Delta Marsh: Restoring the Tradition” project in 2008 aimed at revitalizing the ecological processes and human traditions of the marsh. The objectives of this study were to investigate the marsh sediments to determine their historic rates of phosphorus accumulation and the current ability to bind phosphorus. I determined how nutrient levels have changed in the marsh over time as well as the ability for surface sediments to act as a sink or a source of phosphorus to the marsh. This was accomplished by collecting two sets of core samples; ten 50-cm cores dated using 210Pb and 137Cs and twenty-two 5-cm cores utilized for phosphorus sorption experiments. All core samples were analyzed for sediment physiochemical parameters including phosphorus concentrations, metal cations, and organic matter. For the most part, surficial sediments acted as a phosphorus sink with some inter-season variability. Furthermore, I found that phosphorus in the sediments, and by proxy the marsh waters, have been both increasing and becoming more labile over the past century (particularly since 1960), potentially indicating increasing eutrophic conditions in the marsh. These results varied across the marsh, with the largest nutrient increases occurring in the west side of the marsh, and higher phosphorus concentrations in the emergent and wet meadow vegetation zones relative to the open-water. Overall, these results indicate that although th

The current techniques used to assess aquatic invertebrate community status in the field are typically labour and time intensive, and therefore the development and implementation of new rapid and cost-effective methodologies is warranted. A proposed option is the enzymatic assay to detect and quantify the rate of production of the molting enzyme chitobiase, which can be used for determining impacts on freshwater aquatic systems. Two case studies were performed at: 1) The Prairie Wetland Research Facility at the University of Manitoba, to determine if a relation exists between measures of chitobiase and aquatic invertebrate biomass in a mesocosm setting, as well as to determine if changes in chitobiase activity could detect impacts to aquatic invertebrate communities from sulfamethoxazole and diluted bitumen and; 2) in the Elk River Valley region of British Columbia, to determine if a positive relationship exists between the rate of chitobiase production and benthic invertebrate biomass in lotic freshwater systems. No significant relationship was observed between the chitobiase measures and invertebrate biomass measures, and no effects of the stressors were detected in the first study. A significant positive relationship was observed between the rate of chitobiase production and benthic invertebrate biomass in the second study. It is recommended that additional studies be performed to further assess the potential of chitobiase activity to be used in an environmental monitoring context.

Netley-Libau Marsh in Manitoba, Canada is a 26 000 hectare coastal, freshwater marsh located at the mouth of the Red River on the south shore of Lake Winnipeg. Shoreline erosion and loss of emergent vegetation since 1929 has resulted in large expanses of open water and an overall degradation to the marsh ecosystem. Six coastal marshes of similar size and all connected to the south basin of Lake Winnipeg were selected for comparison to determine if marsh vegetation loss is widespread in Lake Winnipeg coastal marshes or limited to Netley-Libau Marsh. As a measure of degradation, open water area measurements of the study marshes were digitized from aerial and satellite images taken between the years of 1929 and 2015. Distinguishing the effects of Red River discharge into the west side of Netley-Libau Marsh from that of Lake Winnipeg regulation was confounded by the finding that direct river connection to the marsh was not firmly established until approximately 1970, just six years prior to the commencement of lake regulation. Red River discharges upstream of Netley-Libau Marsh did not significantly account for variation in open water areal extent within the two Netley-Libau Marsh study areas, nor did modelled Netley Cut discharges. Between 56-95% of the variation in open water areal extent within the six study marshes was explained by two growing seasons of average May-October Lake Winnipeg water levels. Variation in open water areal extent was not comparable in all six study marshes and the frequency and duration of low-water periods decreased after 1976. My findings show that the loss of habitat complexity and emergent vegetation in Lake Winnipeg coastal wetlands has been ongoing since the early 20th century and is attributed most heavily to the decrease in low-water periods in Lake Winnipeg levels. The greatest loss of open water area within Netley-Libau Marsh occurred in years when average Lake Winnipeg water surface elevation decreased to 217 metres above sea leve

Netley-Libau Marsh in Manitoba, Canada is a 26 000 hectare coastal, freshwater marsh located at the mouth of the Red River on the south shore of Lake Winnipeg. Shoreline erosion and loss of emergent vegetation since 1929 has resulted in large expanses of open water and an overall degradation to the marsh ecosystem. Six coastal marshes of similar size and all connected to the south basin of Lake Winnipeg were selected for comparison to determine if marsh vegetation loss is widespread in Lake Winnipeg coastal marshes or limited to Netley-Libau Marsh. As a measure of degradation, open water area measurements of the study marshes were digitized from aerial and satellite images taken between the years of 1929 and 2015. Distinguishing the effects of Red River discharge into the west side of Netley-Libau Marsh from that of Lake Winnipeg regulation was confounded by the finding that direct river connection to the marsh was not firmly established until approximately 1970, just six years prior to the commencement of lake regulation. Red River discharges upstream of Netley-Libau Marsh did not significantly account for variation in open water areal extent within the two Netley-Libau Marsh study areas, nor did modelled Netley Cut discharges. Between 56-95% of the variation in open water areal extent within the six study marshes was explained by two growing seasons of average May-October Lake Winnipeg water levels. Variation in open water areal extent was not comparable in all six study marshes and the frequency and duration of low-water periods decreased after 1976. My findings show that the loss of habitat complexity and emergent vegetation in Lake Winnipeg coastal wetlands has been ongoing since the early 20th century and is attributed most heavily to the decrease in low-water periods in Lake Winnipeg levels. The greatest loss of open water area within Netley-Libau Marsh occurred in years when average Lake Winnipeg water surface elevation decreased to 217 metres above sea leve

The current techniques used to assess aquatic invertebrate community status in the field are typically labour and time intensive, and therefore the development and implementation of new rapid and cost-effective methodologies is warranted. A proposed option is the enzymatic assay to detect and quantify the rate of production of the molting enzyme chitobiase, which can be used for determining impacts on freshwater aquatic systems. Two case studies were performed at: 1) The Prairie Wetland Research Facility at the University of Manitoba, to determine if a relation exists between measures of chitobiase and aquatic invertebrate biomass in a mesocosm setting, as well as to determine if changes in chitobiase activity could detect impacts to aquatic invertebrate communities from sulfamethoxazole and diluted bitumen and; 2) in the Elk River Valley region of British Columbia, to determine if a positive relationship exists between the rate of chitobiase production and benthic invertebrate biomass in lotic freshwater systems. No significant relationship was observed between the chitobiase measures and invertebrate biomass measures, and no effects of the stressors were detected in the first study. A significant positive relationship was observed between the rate of chitobiase production and benthic invertebrate biomass in the second study. It is recommended that additional studies be performed to further assess the potential of chitobiase activity to be used in an environmental monitoring context.

Netley-Libau Marsh in Manitoba, Canada is a 26 000 hectare coastal, freshwater marsh located at the mouth of the Red River on the south shore of Lake Winnipeg. Shoreline erosion and loss of emergent vegetation since 1929 has resulted in large expanses of open water and an overall degradation to the marsh ecosystem. Six coastal marshes of similar size and all connected to the south basin of Lake Winnipeg were selected for comparison to determine if marsh vegetation loss is widespread in Lake Winnipeg coastal marshes or limited to Netley-Libau Marsh. As a measure of degradation, open water area measurements of the study marshes were digitized from aerial and satellite images taken between the years of 1929 and 2015. Distinguishing the effects of Red River discharge into the west side of Netley-Libau Marsh from that of Lake Winnipeg regulation was confounded by the finding that direct river connection to the marsh was not firmly established until approximately 1970, just six years prior to the commencement of lake regulation. Red River discharges upstream of Netley-Libau Marsh did not significantly account for variation in open water areal extent within the two Netley-Libau Marsh study areas, nor did modelled Netley Cut discharges. Between 56-95% of the variation in open water areal extent within the six study marshes was explained by two growing seasons of average May-October Lake Winnipeg water levels. Variation in open water areal extent was not comparable in all six study marshes and the frequency and duration of low-water periods decreased after 1976. My findings show that the loss of habitat complexity and emergent vegetation in Lake Winnipeg coastal wetlands has been ongoing since the early 20th century and is attributed most heavily to the decrease in low-water periods in Lake Winnipeg levels. The greatest loss of open water area within Netley-Libau Marsh occurred in years when average Lake Winnipeg water surface elevation decreased to 217 metres above sea leve

Netley-Libau Marsh in Manitoba, Canada is a 26 000 hectare coastal, freshwater marsh located at the mouth of the Red River on the south shore of Lake Winnipeg. Shoreline erosion and loss of emergent vegetation since 1929 has resulted in large expanses of open water and an overall degradation to the marsh ecosystem. Six coastal marshes of similar size and all connected to the south basin of Lake Winnipeg were selected for comparison to determine if marsh vegetation loss is widespread in Lake Winnipeg coastal marshes or limited to Netley-Libau Marsh. As a measure of degradation, open water area measurements of the study marshes were digitized from aerial and satellite images taken between the years of 1929 and 2015. Distinguishing the effects of Red River discharge into the west side of Netley-Libau Marsh from that of Lake Winnipeg regulation was confounded by the finding that direct river connection to the marsh was not firmly established until approximately 1970, just six years prior to the commencement of lake regulation. Red River discharges upstream of Netley-Libau Marsh did not significantly account for variation in open water areal extent within the two Netley-Libau Marsh study areas, nor did modelled Netley Cut discharges. Between 56-95% of the variation in open water areal extent within the six study marshes was explained by two growing seasons of average May-October Lake Winnipeg water levels. Variation in open water areal extent was not comparable in all six study marshes and the frequency and duration of low-water periods decreased after 1976. My findings show that the loss of habitat complexity and emergent vegetation in Lake Winnipeg coastal wetlands has been ongoing since the early 20th century and is attributed most heavily to the decrease in low-water periods in Lake Winnipeg levels. The greatest loss of open water area within Netley-Libau Marsh occurred in years when average Lake Winnipeg water surface elevation decreased to 217 metres above sea leve

The current techniques used to assess aquatic invertebrate community status in the field are typically labour and time intensive, and therefore the development and implementation of new rapid and cost-effective methodologies is warranted. A proposed option is the enzymatic assay to detect and quantify the rate of production of the molting enzyme chitobiase, which can be used for determining impacts on freshwater aquatic systems. Two case studies were performed at: 1) The Prairie Wetland Research Facility at the University of Manitoba, to determine if a relation exists between measures of chitobiase and aquatic invertebrate biomass in a mesocosm setting, as well as to determine if changes in chitobiase activity could detect impacts to aquatic invertebrate communities from sulfamethoxazole and diluted bitumen and; 2) in the Elk River Valley region of British Columbia, to determine if a positive relationship exists between the rate of chitobiase production and benthic invertebrate biomass in lotic freshwater systems. No significant relationship was observed between the chitobiase measures and invertebrate biomass measures, and no effects of the stressors were detected in the first study. A significant positive relationship was observed between the rate of chitobiase production and benthic invertebrate biomass in the second study. It is recommended that additional studies be performed to further assess the potential of chitobiase activity to be used in an environmental monitoring context.

Delta Marsh is a 19,000-hectare freshwater coastal wetland located on the southern shore of Lake Manitoba, Canada. The ecological integrity of Delta Marsh has been declining due to changes in hydrology, nutrient loading, water quality and the introduction of invasive species. Research on variables influencing this decline is imperative for restoration. The objectives of this research were to determine which chemical and physical variable(s) drive phytoplankton chlorophyll-a concentrations and to determine if there is spatial variation of nutrient loading caused by the land use gradient across the watershed. Environmental variables were analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses and demonstrated that phytoplankton blooms were most influenced by meteorological conditions and nutrient availability. Nutrient exports to Delta Marsh were greater in areas with higher agricultural cover. This research will help inform management plans to restore the ecological function to Delta Marsh and other coastal wetlands, ultimately improving water quality, fisheries and waterfowl habitat.

This Master's thesis investigates how an English botanist, Dr. Reginald Buller, participated in the flow of New Botany practices and theories to Manitoba. I approach Buller's flow of knowledge through his use of classroom visual aids, in particular, hand-painted wall charts. Visual aids were not secondary to Buller's pedagogy but a key component to the communication of scientific knowledge. I analyze these wall charts and show how they are not only a teaching tool but have an aesthetic history and meaning of their own. Scientists and artists shared pictorial conventions when creating illustrations, due to their close observation of nature. In the particular case of Buller, he was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which led to the creation of a unique, utilitarian pedagogical style for Buller's wall charts. These wall charts helped Buller craft engrossing lectures which spread modern botanical thought through the University of Manitoba in a province where education had previously been controlled by clergy.

West Reflex Lake is a hypersaline lake in the Canadian Great Plains. The lake contains four types of shoreline carbonate structures: isolated pinnacles, bioherms (aggregates of pinnacles), laminated coatings, and beachrock. This study investigates the processes of formation of West Reflex Lake’s shoreline carbonates. A variety of petrographic and geochemical techniques were used to characterize the texture, mineralogy, and chemistry of the carbonates. The shoreline carbonates formed as a result of biotic and abiotic precipitation at the site of saline springs that supply Ca2+ to the lake. Evidence for biologically-influenced precipitation includes strong epifluorescence, presence of micrite cements, and abundance of microbial filaments. Abiotically-precipitated cements formed due to groundwater inflow. The isolated pinnacles and bioherms formed as a result of groundwater percolating through a framework of microbial filaments, whereas the laminated coatings formed as a result of calcification of coherent microbial mats adhering to a substrate.

This Master's thesis investigates how an English botanist, Dr. Reginald Buller, participated in the flow of New Botany practices and theories to Manitoba. I approach Buller's flow of knowledge through his use of classroom visual aids, in particular, hand-painted wall charts. Visual aids were not secondary to Buller's pedagogy but a key component to the communication of scientific knowledge. I analyze these wall charts and show how they are not only a teaching tool but have an aesthetic history and meaning of their own. Scientists and artists shared pictorial conventions when creating illustrations, due to their close observation of nature. In the particular case of Buller, he was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which led to the creation of a unique, utilitarian pedagogical style for Buller's wall charts. These wall charts helped Buller craft engrossing lectures which spread modern botanical thought through the University of Manitoba in a province where education had previously been controlled by clergy.

A hydrological model was used to examine the water balance of the Delta Marsh Watershed (DMW) currently and as impacted by land use changes. Understanding DMW hydrology can help to improve conditions in the Delta Marsh. MIKE SHE model results showed that the water balance is typical of prairie conditions with limited wintertime activity, significant spring melt runoff, and high summertime evapotranspiration and infiltration. Results showed that the DMW contributes approximately 40 million m3 of water to the Delta Marsh in an average year, or 710 m3/ha/yr. Portage Creek is the single greatest inflow from the watershed (31% of total) and the West Marsh area also receives large runoff volumes (combined 37% of total). Analysis of land use changes showed that urban expansion in the DMW would increase annual marsh inflows by over 50% under one urbanization scenario due to associated decreases in infiltration and transpiration. An agricultural shift towards row crop predominance would have minimal impact on the DMW water balance. Conversion of cropland to natural vegetation would decrease annual runoff by 12% to the marsh due to increased surface ponding, infiltration, and transpiration.

Delta Marsh is a 19,000-hectare freshwater coastal wetland located on the southern shore of Lake Manitoba, Canada. The ecological integrity of Delta Marsh has been declining due to changes in hydrology, nutrient loading, water quality and the introduction of invasive species. Research on variables influencing this decline is imperative for restoration. The objectives of this research were to determine which chemical and physical variable(s) drive phytoplankton chlorophyll-a concentrations and to determine if there is spatial variation of nutrient loading caused by the land use gradient across the watershed. Environmental variables were analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses and demonstrated that phytoplankton blooms were most influenced by meteorological conditions and nutrient availability. Nutrient exports to Delta Marsh were greater in areas with higher agricultural cover. This research will help inform management plans to restore the ecological function to Delta Marsh and other coastal wetlands, ultimately improving water quality, fisheries and waterfowl habitat.

A hydrological model was used to examine the water balance of the Delta Marsh Watershed (DMW) currently and as impacted by land use changes. Understanding DMW hydrology can help to improve conditions in the Delta Marsh. MIKE SHE model results showed that the water balance is typical of prairie conditions with limited wintertime activity, significant spring melt runoff, and high summertime evapotranspiration and infiltration. Results showed that the DMW contributes approximately 40 million m3 of water to the Delta Marsh in an average year, or 710 m3/ha/yr. Portage Creek is the single greatest inflow from the watershed (31% of total) and the West Marsh area also receives large runoff volumes (combined 37% of total). Analysis of land use changes showed that urban expansion in the DMW would increase annual marsh inflows by over 50% under one urbanization scenario due to associated decreases in infiltration and transpiration. An agricultural shift towards row crop predominance would have minimal impact on the DMW water balance. Conversion of cropland to natural vegetation would decrease annual runoff by 12% to the marsh due to increased surface ponding, infiltration, and transpiration.

Delta Marsh is a 19,000-hectare freshwater coastal wetland located on the southern shore of Lake Manitoba, Canada. The ecological integrity of Delta Marsh has been declining due to changes in hydrology, nutrient loading, water quality and the introduction of invasive species. Research on variables influencing this decline is imperative for restoration. The objectives of this research were to determine which chemical and physical variable(s) drive phytoplankton chlorophyll-a concentrations and to determine if there is spatial variation of nutrient loading caused by the land use gradient across the watershed. Environmental variables were analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses and demonstrated that phytoplankton blooms were most influenced by meteorological conditions and nutrient availability. Nutrient exports to Delta Marsh were greater in areas with higher agricultural cover. This research will help inform management plans to restore the ecological function to Delta Marsh and other coastal wetlands, ultimately improving water quality, fisheries and waterfowl habitat.

West Reflex Lake is a hypersaline lake in the Canadian Great Plains. The lake contains four types of shoreline carbonate structures: isolated pinnacles, bioherms (aggregates of pinnacles), laminated coatings, and beachrock. This study investigates the processes of formation of West Reflex Lake’s shoreline carbonates. A variety of petrographic and geochemical techniques were used to characterize the texture, mineralogy, and chemistry of the carbonates. The shoreline carbonates formed as a result of biotic and abiotic precipitation at the site of saline springs that supply Ca2+ to the lake. Evidence for biologically-influenced precipitation includes strong epifluorescence, presence of micrite cements, and abundance of microbial filaments. Abiotically-precipitated cements formed due to groundwater inflow. The isolated pinnacles and bioherms formed as a result of groundwater percolating through a framework of microbial filaments, whereas the laminated coatings formed as a result of calcification of coherent microbial mats adhering to a substrate.

This Master's thesis investigates how an English botanist, Dr. Reginald Buller, participated in the flow of New Botany practices and theories to Manitoba. I approach Buller's flow of knowledge through his use of classroom visual aids, in particular, hand-painted wall charts. Visual aids were not secondary to Buller's pedagogy but a key component to the communication of scientific knowledge. I analyze these wall charts and show how they are not only a teaching tool but have an aesthetic history and meaning of their own. Scientists and artists shared pictorial conventions when creating illustrations, due to their close observation of nature. In the particular case of Buller, he was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which led to the creation of a unique, utilitarian pedagogical style for Buller's wall charts. These wall charts helped Buller craft engrossing lectures which spread modern botanical thought through the University of Manitoba in a province where education had previously been controlled by clergy.

Delta Marsh is a 19,000-hectare freshwater coastal wetland located on the southern shore of Lake Manitoba, Canada. The ecological integrity of Delta Marsh has been declining due to changes in hydrology, nutrient loading, water quality and the introduction of invasive species. Research on variables influencing this decline is imperative for restoration. The objectives of this research were to determine which chemical and physical variable(s) drive phytoplankton chlorophyll-a concentrations and to determine if there is spatial variation of nutrient loading caused by the land use gradient across the watershed. Environmental variables were analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses and demonstrated that phytoplankton blooms were most influenced by meteorological conditions and nutrient availability. Nutrient exports to Delta Marsh were greater in areas with higher agricultural cover. This research will help inform management plans to restore the ecological function to Delta Marsh and other coastal wetlands, ultimately improving water quality, fisheries and waterfowl habitat.

This thesis details the hydrodynamic research conducted at Delta Marsh as part of the Restoring the Tradition marsh rehabilitation project. Research has indicated that the hydraulic and hydrologic controls on the marsh can have considerable impacts on its ecological function, but the impacts of these controls had not previously been studied. Field hydrography and two-dimensional numerical modelling (using MIKE 21) provided insight into many aspects of the physical behaviour of Delta Marsh. Eighty five percent of the inflow to Delta Marsh from Lake Manitoba passes through Clandeboye Channel, and these discharge signals propagate as far west as Cadham Bay. Inflow to the marsh disperses quickly, and accounts for a small fraction of the water that exits the marsh during subsequent outflow. Thus, Portage Diversion water that enters the marsh through the lake can remain there even if there is a net loss in marsh volume over the season. Wind friction across Lake Manitoba has the greatest impact on short-term fluctuations in marsh volume and on the composition of marsh water, followed by the Portage Diversion and the natural inflows to Lake Manitoba. Expansions to flood diversion infrastructure will considerably impact the composition of Delta Marsh waters. Three methods of wetland discharge estimation were developed and tested. The most promising method was the regressed slope Manning method (RSMM), which estimates two-directional channel discharge as a function of the water surface elevations at both ends of a channel. When used in conjunction with the velocity index method, the RSMM can multiply the amount of reliable discharge data collected per research dollar. Thanks to its simple formulation, the RSMM is likely applicable outside of wetland settings, as well.

This thesis details the hydrodynamic research conducted at Delta Marsh as part of the Restoring the Tradition marsh rehabilitation project. Research has indicated that the hydraulic and hydrologic controls on the marsh can have considerable impacts on its ecological function, but the impacts of these controls had not previously been studied. Field hydrography and two-dimensional numerical modelling (using MIKE 21) provided insight into many aspects of the physical behaviour of Delta Marsh. Eighty five percent of the inflow to Delta Marsh from Lake Manitoba passes through Clandeboye Channel, and these discharge signals propagate as far west as Cadham Bay. Inflow to the marsh disperses quickly, and accounts for a small fraction of the water that exits the marsh during subsequent outflow. Thus, Portage Diversion water that enters the marsh through the lake can remain there even if there is a net loss in marsh volume over the season. Wind friction across Lake Manitoba has the greatest impact on short-term fluctuations in marsh volume and on the composition of marsh water, followed by the Portage Diversion and the natural inflows to Lake Manitoba. Expansions to flood diversion infrastructure will considerably impact the composition of Delta Marsh waters. Three methods of wetland discharge estimation were developed and tested. The most promising method was the regressed slope Manning method (RSMM), which estimates two-directional channel discharge as a function of the water surface elevations at both ends of a channel. When used in conjunction with the velocity index method, the RSMM can multiply the amount of reliable discharge data collected per research dollar. Thanks to its simple formulation, the RSMM is likely applicable outside of wetland settings, as well.

In 2011 Manitoba experienced an extreme flood. The operation of the Assiniboine River Diversion resulted in the addition of approximately 1.72 million cubic decameters of water to Lake Manitoba and an increase in water levels to 1.5 m above normal. Although this event resulted damage to farmland and many local homes, it also provided me the unique opportunity to utilize previously impractical methods of bathymetric and substrata distribution analysis in the adjoining Delta Marsh. Combined with satellite imagery taken in 2011 I was able to classify the vegetation classes within the study area and explore the relationship between vegetation distributions and water depth as well as those between water depth and substrata distribution. A seed bank study was carried out to explore the diversity of viable seeds in the area. In addition, satellite imagery taken in 2009 was used to evaluate the effects of the flood event experienced in 2011.

In 2011 Manitoba experienced an extreme flood. The operation of the Assiniboine River Diversion resulted in the addition of approximately 1.72 million cubic decameters of water to Lake Manitoba and an increase in water levels to 1.5 m above normal. Although this event resulted damage to farmland and many local homes, it also provided me the unique opportunity to utilize previously impractical methods of bathymetric and substrata distribution analysis in the adjoining Delta Marsh. Combined with satellite imagery taken in 2011 I was able to classify the vegetation classes within the study area and explore the relationship between vegetation distributions and water depth as well as those between water depth and substrata distribution. A seed bank study was carried out to explore the diversity of viable seeds in the area. In addition, satellite imagery taken in 2009 was used to evaluate the effects of the flood event experienced in 2011.

This thesis details the hydrodynamic research conducted at Delta Marsh as part of the Restoring the Tradition marsh rehabilitation project. Research has indicated that the hydraulic and hydrologic controls on the marsh can have considerable impacts on its ecological function, but the impacts of these controls had not previously been studied. Field hydrography and two-dimensional numerical modelling (using MIKE 21) provided insight into many aspects of the physical behaviour of Delta Marsh. Eighty five percent of the inflow to Delta Marsh from Lake Manitoba passes through Clandeboye Channel, and these discharge signals propagate as far west as Cadham Bay. Inflow to the marsh disperses quickly, and accounts for a small fraction of the water that exits the marsh during subsequent outflow. Thus, Portage Diversion water that enters the marsh through the lake can remain there even if there is a net loss in marsh volume over the season. Wind friction across Lake Manitoba has the greatest impact on short-term fluctuations in marsh volume and on the composition of marsh water, followed by the Portage Diversion and the natural inflows to Lake Manitoba. Expansions to flood diversion infrastructure will considerably impact the composition of Delta Marsh waters. Three methods of wetland discharge estimation were developed and tested. The most promising method was the regressed slope Manning method (RSMM), which estimates two-directional channel discharge as a function of the water surface elevations at both ends of a channel. When used in conjunction with the velocity index method, the RSMM can multiply the amount of reliable discharge data collected per research dollar. Thanks to its simple formulation, the RSMM is likely applicable outside of wetland settings, as well.

In 2011 Manitoba experienced an extreme flood. The operation of the Assiniboine River Diversion resulted in the addition of approximately 1.72 million cubic decameters of water to Lake Manitoba and an increase in water levels to 1.5 m above normal. Although this event resulted damage to farmland and many local homes, it also provided me the unique opportunity to utilize previously impractical methods of bathymetric and substrata distribution analysis in the adjoining Delta Marsh. Combined with satellite imagery taken in 2011 I was able to classify the vegetation classes within the study area and explore the relationship between vegetation distributions and water depth as well as those between water depth and substrata distribution. A seed bank study was carried out to explore the diversity of viable seeds in the area. In addition, satellite imagery taken in 2009 was used to evaluate the effects of the flood event experienced in 2011.

This thesis details the hydrodynamic research conducted at Delta Marsh as part of the Restoring the Tradition marsh rehabilitation project. Research has indicated that the hydraulic and hydrologic controls on the marsh can have considerable impacts on its ecological function, but the impacts of these controls had not previously been studied. Field hydrography and two-dimensional numerical modelling (using MIKE 21) provided insight into many aspects of the physical behaviour of Delta Marsh. Eighty five percent of the inflow to Delta Marsh from Lake Manitoba passes through Clandeboye Channel, and these discharge signals propagate as far west as Cadham Bay. Inflow to the marsh disperses quickly, and accounts for a small fraction of the water that exits the marsh during subsequent outflow. Thus, Portage Diversion water that enters the marsh through the lake can remain there even if there is a net loss in marsh volume over the season. Wind friction across Lake Manitoba has the greatest impact on short-term fluctuations in marsh volume and on the composition of marsh water, followed by the Portage Diversion and the natural inflows to Lake Manitoba. Expansions to flood diversion infrastructure will considerably impact the composition of Delta Marsh waters. Three methods of wetland discharge estimation were developed and tested. The most promising method was the regressed slope Manning method (RSMM), which estimates two-directional channel discharge as a function of the water surface elevations at both ends of a channel. When used in conjunction with the velocity index method, the RSMM can multiply the amount of reliable discharge data collected per research dollar. Thanks to its simple formulation, the RSMM is likely applicable outside of wetland settings, as well.

In 2011 Manitoba experienced an extreme flood. The operation of the Assiniboine River Diversion resulted in the addition of approximately 1.72 million cubic decameters of water to Lake Manitoba and an increase in water levels to 1.5 m above normal. Although this event resulted damage to farmland and many local homes, it also provided me the unique opportunity to utilize previously impractical methods of bathymetric and substrata distribution analysis in the adjoining Delta Marsh. Combined with satellite imagery taken in 2011 I was able to classify the vegetation classes within the study area and explore the relationship between vegetation distributions and water depth as well as those between water depth and substrata distribution. A seed bank study was carried out to explore the diversity of viable seeds in the area. In addition, satellite imagery taken in 2009 was used to evaluate the effects of the flood event experienced in 2011.

Every municipality in Manitoba has a distinct and valuable history, but many stories are already lost, and many more are at risk due to poor recordkeeping and archiving. Municipal records document local decisions, actions, finances, the relationship between governments and citizens, and much more. Most of this information is only available in municipal government records; it does not exist anywhere else. Additionally, despite municipal reliance on local records and archives in their day-to-day operations, and as a key source in constructing specific community identities, many municipal government offices have neglected, forgotten, or no longer see the value in maintaining an archive. As a result, municipal governments cannot be held fully accountable for their actions and are unable to abide by the archival requirements of the Municipal Act and the access and privacy provisions outlined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. They are also thereby failing to take advantage of the archival services offered through the Archives of Manitoba as outlined in the province’s Archives and Recordkeeping Act. This project examines how municipal employees and citizens view recordkeeping, particularly how archival records are considered. In order to learn how municipal officials deal with both their current and archival records a survey was sent to all the municipalities in Manitoba outside of Winnipeg, which was excluded because it had made considerable recent progress by establishing a city archives. Driven by a concern that municipal records outside of Winnipeg are not being adequately managed and archived, this thesis studies the way municipalities are treating both their operational and archival records. These findings are contextualized by looking at municipal archives and archival practices across Canada. Finally, the thesis provides some suggestions for improving recordkeeping practices in Manitoba’s municipalities.

Numerous treaties and management strategies have been created in an attempt to either prevent or repair water-related problems and/or disputes involving the worlds 263 trans- boundary freshwater regimes. Canada and the U.S. are no different. However, modern times have not only revealed potentially new causes for trans-boundary water-related disputes, but weaknesses within the tools commonly used to address such disputes. Research was conducted using key groups and government departments within both Minnesota and North Dakota in an attempt to identify whether or not the economic, legal and social landscapes of the two states were favourable to reduce the nutrient loading to their portion of the Red River Drainage Basin which inevitably flows in Manitoba and enters Lake Winnipeg. The research revealed that; i) the difficulty of addressing NPS pollution, ii) a lack of cooperation from private landowners, iii) anti-government intervention, iv) a lack of funding for NPS related programs, v) uncertainties with the science, vi) negative economic impacts of implementing solutions, vii) interference by special interest groups and viii) legislative weaknesses of the Clean Water Act all create barriers that make achieving meaningful nutrient reductions unlikely. Due to these barriers, Minnesota’s and North Dakota’s hydro-hegemonic influence on nutrient levels within the Red River may aid in dictating potentially disastrous ecological conditions to Lake Winnipeg and place its long-term health in question.

Numerous treaties and management strategies have been created in an attempt to either prevent or repair water-related problems and/or disputes involving the worlds 263 trans- boundary freshwater regimes. Canada and the U.S. are no different. However, modern times have not only revealed potentially new causes for trans-boundary water-related disputes, but weaknesses within the tools commonly used to address such disputes. Research was conducted using key groups and government departments within both Minnesota and North Dakota in an attempt to identify whether or not the economic, legal and social landscapes of the two states were favourable to reduce the nutrient loading to their portion of the Red River Drainage Basin which inevitably flows in Manitoba and enters Lake Winnipeg. The research revealed that; i) the difficulty of addressing NPS pollution, ii) a lack of cooperation from private landowners, iii) anti-government intervention, iv) a lack of funding for NPS related programs, v) uncertainties with the science, vi) negative economic impacts of implementing solutions, vii) interference by special interest groups and viii) legislative weaknesses of the Clean Water Act all create barriers that make achieving meaningful nutrient reductions unlikely. Due to these barriers, Minnesota’s and North Dakota’s hydro-hegemonic influence on nutrient levels within the Red River may aid in dictating potentially disastrous ecological conditions to Lake Winnipeg and place its long-term health in question.

Every municipality in Manitoba has a distinct and valuable history, but many stories are already lost, and many more are at risk due to poor recordkeeping and archiving. Municipal records document local decisions, actions, finances, the relationship between governments and citizens, and much more. Most of this information is only available in municipal government records; it does not exist anywhere else. Additionally, despite municipal reliance on local records and archives in their day-to-day operations, and as a key source in constructing specific community identities, many municipal government offices have neglected, forgotten, or no longer see the value in maintaining an archive. As a result, municipal governments cannot be held fully accountable for their actions and are unable to abide by the archival requirements of the Municipal Act and the access and privacy provisions outlined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. They are also thereby failing to take advantage of the archival services offered through the Archives of Manitoba as outlined in the province’s Archives and Recordkeeping Act. This project examines how municipal employees and citizens view recordkeeping, particularly how archival records are considered. In order to learn how municipal officials deal with both their current and archival records a survey was sent to all the municipalities in Manitoba outside of Winnipeg, which was excluded because it had made considerable recent progress by establishing a city archives. Driven by a concern that municipal records outside of Winnipeg are not being adequately managed and archived, this thesis studies the way municipalities are treating both their operational and archival records. These findings are contextualized by looking at municipal archives and archival practices across Canada. Finally, the thesis provides some suggestions for improving recordkeeping practices in Manitoba’s municipalities.

Cattails (Typha spp.) are invasive and tend to decrease the biodiversity and area of open water of marshes, particularly where the natural hydrological cycles have been altered, as in Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Understanding the distribution of T. latifolia L., T. angustifolia L., their hybrid, T. x glauca Godr., and the environmental variables associated with their habitats, may give valuable insight for managing cattails. The distribution of these cattail species and hybrid were surveyed in 2011 in prairie pothole and roadside ditch marshes across southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan. Plants were identified by analysis of microscopic leaf-lamina margin characteristics. T. x glauca was most widespread, followed by T. latifolia, whereas T. angustifolia was rare and only found as far west as central Manitoba. Current understanding of the correlations between cattail invasions and their environment is conflicting and largely based on lacustrine wetland studies. A generalized linear model was developed. The model explained approximately 40% of the variation in T. x glauca distribution in the prairie potholes and ditches. The model included the environmental variables of sediment Olsen-P, sediment nitrate-N, water pH, litter depth, surrounding land use, and the interaction between Olsen-P and nitrate-N. Olsen-P was the most important of these variables, because its removal from the model significantly reduced the residual deviance of the model (P=0.05). In a survey of 13 transects throughout Delta Marsh in 2009, hybrid cattail, T. x glauca, was dominant, T. angustifolia was rare, and T. latifolia was absent. ANOVA linear regression (P=0.05) revealed that above-ground biomass was correlated with mean cattail ramet height, cattail ramet density, and standing litter biomass. Cattail ramet density was negatively correlated with sampling date and positively correlated with standing litter biomass. Mean cattail height was correlated with fallen litter biomass. One

High levels of phosphorus loading in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada are causing eutrophication and algal blooms of increasing intensity and frequency. Phosphorus is also a strategic and limited natural resource critical for plant growth, and essential for agriculture and global food security. This research study demonstrated an innovative environmental engineering approach to address multiple sustainable development challenges. Cattail (Typha spp.), a large competitive emergent aquatic plant, was harvested to capture and remove nutrients that would otherwise cause eutrophication in aquatic systems, and utilized as a biomass material for industry. Cattail reaches maturity in less than 90 days, and late summer/early fall harvests yielded average 15 to 20 t DM/ha, and captured 30 to 60 kg/ha/year of phosphorus. Once harvested, nutrients locked in plant tissue are prevented from being released into the environment via natural decomposition. Utilizing harvested biomass as a bioenergy feedstock provided a further benefit displacing fossil fuels for heating, and generated valuable carbon offsets. Cattail was compressed into densified fuel products, and combustion trials revealed an average calorific heat value of 17 MJ/kg to 20 MJ/kg, comparable to commercial wood pellets. Average ash content was 5 to 6%, and no major concerns identified regarding combustion emissions and ash. Estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential from coal displacement was one tonne of cattail biomass generated 1.05 tonnes of CO2 offsets. Additionally, up to 88 % of total phosphorus was recovered in ash following combustion in solid fuel burners. Harvesting cattail biomass offers greatest feasibility if combined for multiple purposes: nutrient capture, habitat, bioenergy, carbon offsets, water quality credits, and higher value end products and biomaterials (i.e. biochar). Economics of harvesting need to be further explored at the pilot and commercial scale for this novel renewable and susta