709
implemented with the main goal of restoring wetland habitat. However, some had
an additional functional goal of providing coastal protection from increased risk of
erosion from climate change and sea level rise (van Proosdij et al. 2014). These
projects all involved the partial or complete removal of dikes or the removal/upscaling of culverts to increase tidal access to inland areas. Some also included excavation to open former creeks and to create salt pools (Bowron et al. 2012). Many of
these planned projects included a monitoring regime focused on sediment accumulation and ecosystem recovery/change (e.g., soils and sediments, geomorphology,
vegetation, fish, invertebrates; Bowron et al. 2012).
In comparison to most other planned salt marsh restoration projects, the Fort
Beauséjour salt marsh restoration discussed in this chapter is unique. First, it is
located at the head of the Bay of Fundy and is completely exposed to wave action
and an extremely large tidal range. Other restoration projects on the Bay, documented by Bowron et al. (2012), have been implemented in protected areas not
exposed to significant wave energy (e.g., Cheverie Creek and Walton, Nova Scotia).
Additionally, our project is one of a few in Atlantic Canada that has as a primary
objective to create coastal protection, and it is likely the first where there is risk to
coastal infrastructure if the project is unsuccessful (van Proosdij et al. 2014).
Prior to planned salt marsh restoration projects, there have been documented
examples of passive restoration projects in the region. These sites have provided
researchers opportunities to gain some understanding of long-term projections,
expectations, and recovery rates of salt marshes (Byers and Chmura 2007; Flanary
and Chmura 2007; MacDonald et al. 2010), as well as historical information about
these areas before, during and after diking (Noël et al. 2005). Examples of these
sites include the largest existing salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy, the John Lusby
saltmarsh complex (600 ha of formerly diked farmland in Amherst, Nova Scotia).
Its restoration and transition to salt marsh began in the 1940s when the dikes began
to breach due to neglect of the existing dike system (Byers and Chmura 2007;
Flanary and Chmura 2007). This salt marsh, located at the upper reaches of the Bay
of Fundy, is now managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment Canada).
Another example of a passively restored salt marsh is the 95 ha Saint’s Rest marsh
in Saint John, New Brunswick. Similar to John Lusby, it is former agricultural land
and the dike system was not maintained, which led to breaching in the 1950s (Noël
et al. 2005).
21.2 Objective of the Chapter
The objective of this chapter is to take lessons learned from the design, implementation and monitoring over 6 years (1 year pre-breaching of the dike and 5 years post)
of the Fort Beauséjour salt marsh restoration in the upper Bay of Fundy, and consider how they can be applied to future restoration projects in a similar
environment.
21 Returning the Tide to Dikelands in a Macrotidal and Ice-Influenced Environment…
implemented with the main goal of restoring wetland habitat. However, some had
an additional functional goal of providing coastal protection from increased risk of
erosion from climate change and sea level rise (van Proosdij et al. 2014). These
projects all involved the partial or complete removal of dikes or the removal/upscaling of culverts to increase tidal access to inland areas. Some also included excavation to open former creeks and to create salt pools (Bowron et al. 2012). Many of
these planned projects included a monitoring regime focused on sediment accumulation and ecosystem recovery/change (e.g., soils and sediments, geomorphology,
vegetation, fish, invertebrates; Bowron et al. 2012).
In comparison to most other planned salt marsh restoration projects, the Fort
Beauséjour salt marsh restoration discussed in this chapter is unique. First, it is
located at the head of the Bay of Fundy and is completely exposed to wave action
and an extremely large tidal range. Other restoration projects on the Bay, documented by Bowron et al. (2012), have been implemented in protected areas not
exposed to significant wave energy (e.g., Cheverie Creek and Walton, Nova Scotia).
Additionally, our project is one of a few in Atlantic Canada that has as a primary
objective to create coastal protection, and it is likely the first where there is risk to
coastal infrastructure if the project is unsuccessful (van Proosdij et al. 2014).
Prior to planned salt marsh restoration projects, there have been documented
examples of passive restoration projects in the region. These sites have provided
researchers opportunities to gain some understanding of long-term projections,
expectations, and recovery rates of salt marshes (Byers and Chmura 2007; Flanary
and Chmura 2007; MacDonald et al. 2010), as well as historical information about
these areas before, during and after diking (Noël et al. 2005). Examples of these
sites include the largest existing salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy, the John Lusby
saltmarsh complex (600 ha of formerly diked farmland in Amherst, Nova Scotia).
Its restoration and transition to salt marsh began in the 1940s when the dikes began
to breach due to neglect of the existing dike system (Byers and Chmura 2007;
Flanary and Chmura 2007). This salt marsh, located at the upper reaches of the Bay
of Fundy, is now managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment Canada).
Another example of a passively restored salt marsh is the 95 ha Saint’s Rest marsh
in Saint John, New Brunswick. Similar to John Lusby, it is former agricultural land
and the dike system was not maintained, which led to breaching in the 1950s (Noël
et al. 2005).
21.2 Objective of the Chapter
The objective of this chapter is to take lessons learned from the design, implementation and monitoring over 6 years (1 year pre-breaching of the dike and 5 years post)
of the Fort Beauséjour salt marsh restoration in the upper Bay of Fundy, and consider how they can be applied to future restoration projects in a similar
environment.
21 Returning the Tide to Dikelands in a Macrotidal and Ice-Influenced Environment…