Biodiversity
The conservation of biological diversity is considered to be one of the keystones to sustainable development. The GDDPC encourages and collects observations of all kinds of plants, birds, mammals and other forms of life in the Cocagne watershed. Multiple surveys of shorebirds, trees, mushrooms, butterflies, swallows are carried out regularly. Watershed groups and citizens play an important role in better understanding ecosystems and their inherent species.
For many years (1998), the Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey (ACSS) began monitoring several sites where birds stop. The members of ACSS monitor migratory bird populations and ensure they continue to be able to rely on these major areas during migration. There are about 142 official sites in the Atlantic Provinces. The Bouctouche Dune and Cormierville Marsh are part of these sites.
The Wild Pollinators & Their Natural Habitats project’s purpose is to protect wild pollinators by adopting respectful practices towards their natural habitats. With the help of a series of consultations, workshops and a pilot project with landowners of the Cocagne watershed region, the PCSDG desires to increase wild pollinator populations, as well as biodiversity within southeastern New Brunswick.
The purpose of this project is to develop the capacity of watershed groups to conserve bird species at risk.
The project aims to increase capacity among South-eastern NB watershed groups and forest technicians to identify woodland birds. In the spring of 2018, Roland Chiasson of Aster Group provided training sessions on identifying woodland bird habitats and behaviors. He developed a woodland bird species identification guide, using bird calls, videos and images to teach woodland bird identification during the sessions.
For 3 years, the technicians, the employees (close to 30 people on average) of the groups of the watersheds of south-eastern New Brunswick have received several trainings on birds. Last year the participants proposed the identification of nocturnal wildlife.
The Grande-Digue Nature Reserve
Inaugurated in October 2023, the Grande-Digue Nature Reserve belongs to The Nature Trust of New-Brunswick and is managed by Sentier Pluriel and Ski Beaver. This reserve is the very first in the Beausoleil region, covering an area of 368.9 acres (149.3 hectares)!
We are extremely worried about the decline in pollinators worldwide, including butterflies. We’re observing harmful practices that are destroying pollinator habitats in our community. Our goal is to stop the practice of mowing lawns in wetlands, to stop butterfly and general pollinator decline, to increase the biodiversity of species, to balance ecosystems and finally to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes and thus encourage the protection of our natural heritage.
The swallow initiative started when citizens reported that a colony of bank swallows was rock filled in 2019 on route 535 in Cocagne. The same thing occurred in 2020. However, the group conducts an inventory of bank swallow colonies and it shares its results with Transport NB, Birds Canada and the municipality.
Here, the GDDPC presents inventories of fauna and flora in the Cocagne river watershed.
View all the resources
View all the resources
Salt marshes play an essential role in the balance of coastal ecosystems: not only do they act as natural buffer zones and habitats for biodiversity, but they also protect coastlines from erosion and flooding by absorbing wave energy and retaining sediments. These marshes also improve water quality by filtering pollutants. This rich ecosystem is used by several species of fish, birds, and invertebrates for reproduction and feeding. In addition, salt marshes are excellent carbon sinks, capable of capturing large amounts of carbon, thus contributing to the fight against climate change.
Red Knot
Within our watershed, several salt marshes are present, where one can observe many bird species and even rare birds, such as the American Oystercatcher observed at the Cormierville marsh. The latter, like many other marshes around the world, is at risk of disappearing due to climate change and the phenomenon of coastal squeeze. A study on salt marshes in southeastern New Brunswick was carried out by the Université de Moncton. This database brings together a great deal of information on the location of marshes, the impacts of climate change, future projections, and more! The GDDPC has been conducting shorebird censuses at the Cormierville marsh since 2009. Many birdwatchers frequent this marsh and find a multitude of bird species there, including species at risk and rare birds, which highlights the importance of conserving this precious habitat.
Cormierville marsh
During July and August, five groups from southeastern New Brunswick (GDDPC, Shediac Bay Watershed Association (SBWA), Vision H20, EOS-Energy [the watershed sub-group], and Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance [PWA]) took part in workshops [one in English, one in French] on freshwater and saltwater marshes. Each workshop was followed by local outings to several marshes. The report (2022) is available here (in French).
En 2024, nous avons effectué un inventaire à la marina de Cocagne, où il y a un marais salé présent. Nous avons effectué un inventaire d’oiseaux de rivage, de plantes, de libellules, d’amphibiens, de pollinisateurs et d’insectes.
Marsh at the Cocagne Marina Salt marsh copper (observed in 2024 at Cocagne)
The salt marshes of our watershed represent natural environments of great ecological value, both for biodiversity and for the protection of coastal areas. They provide essential habitats for many species, including shorebirds, species at risk, and rare species, while also playing a key role in improving water quality and combating climate change. However, these ecosystems remain fragile and are increasingly threatened by climate change and coastal squeeze. It is important to take action to help preserve salt marshes, such as respecting the vegetated buffer zone, not mowing the lawn too close to the marsh, encouraging the growth of native plant species adapted to the environment, and avoiding the use of ATVs near or within marshes.
Ressources
- Consolidated geospatial database (in French)
- Presentation on the importance of marshes (in French)
Acknowledgements
The Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group would like to thank the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, as well as watershed groups of southeastern New Brunswick for their time and the sharing of their knowledge in the field.
Red Knot
Within our watershed, several salt marshes are present, where one can observe many bird species and even rare birds, such as the American Oystercatcher observed at the Cormierville marsh. The latter, like many other marshes around the world, is at risk of disappearing due to climate change and the phenomenon of coastal squeeze. A study on salt marshes in southeastern New Brunswick was carried out by the Université de Moncton. This database brings together a great deal of information on the location of marshes, the impacts of climate change, future projections, and more! The GDDPC has been conducting shorebird censuses at the Cormierville marsh since 2009. Many birdwatchers frequent this marsh and find a multitude of bird species there, including species at risk and rare birds, which highlights the importance of conserving this precious habitat.
Cormierville marsh
During July and August, five groups from southeastern New Brunswick (GDDPC, Shediac Bay Watershed Association (SBWA), Vision H20, EOS-Energy [the watershed sub-group], and Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance [PWA]) took part in workshops [one in English, one in French] on freshwater and saltwater marshes. Each workshop was followed by local outings to several marshes. The report (2022) is available here (in French).
En 2024, nous avons effectué un inventaire à la marina de Cocagne, où il y a un marais salé présent. Nous avons effectué un inventaire d’oiseaux de rivage, de plantes, de libellules, d’amphibiens, de pollinisateurs et d’insectes.
Marsh at the Cocagne Marina Salt marsh copper (observed in 2024 at Cocagne)
The salt marshes of our watershed represent natural environments of great ecological value, both for biodiversity and for the protection of coastal areas. They provide essential habitats for many species, including shorebirds, species at risk, and rare species, while also playing a key role in improving water quality and combating climate change. However, these ecosystems remain fragile and are increasingly threatened by climate change and coastal squeeze. It is important to take action to help preserve salt marshes, such as respecting the vegetated buffer zone, not mowing the lawn too close to the marsh, encouraging the growth of native plant species adapted to the environment, and avoiding the use of ATVs near or within marshes.
Ressources
- Consolidated geospatial database (in French)
- Presentation on the importance of marshes (in French)
Acknowledgements
The Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group would like to thank the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, as well as watershed groups of southeastern New Brunswick for their time and the sharing of their knowledge in the field.
The presence of beavers is often considered by some people to be problematic, particularly linked to the change in water levels caused by dams. However, we must not forget the important ecological role of these rodents, whose developments create a wetland environment that attracts a varietý of aquatic plants, fish, birds, insects and mammals.
Seagrass beds, such as eelgrass, are highly productive habitats that provide numerous ecosystem services for both the environment and humans. These services include creating nurseries for juveniles, as well as providing habitat for many commercially important fish and crustacean species. These seagrass beds also promote sedimentation and reduce the strength of currents and waves, thereby limiting coastal erosion. Moreover, eelgrass has the potential to be an excellent carbon sink thanks to its ability to sequester CO2 (blue carbon).
