Advancing Netley-Libau Marsh Restoration Efforts: Cattail biomass and nutrient survey of Netley-Libau Marsh

This report details a 2009 survey of cattail biomass and nutrient levels in the Netley-Libau Marsh to understand its role in reducing nutrient loading into Lake Winnipeg. It finds that phosphorus levels in the marsh significantly exceed provincial guidelines and estimates the potential for increased nutrient storage through plant restoration.

• The Red River is responsible for nearly 60 per cent of the phosphorus that enters Lake Winnipeg, where phosphorus overloading has led to more frequent algal blooms.
• Netley-Libau Marsh, the largest coastal wetland on Lake Winnipeg, has suffered a decline in wildlife populations, habitat, and plant communities due to water management, dredging, and drainage over several decades.
• Water samples collected in August 2009 showed average total phosphorus (TP) concentrations between 0.39 and 3.53 mg/L, which is significantly higher than the Manitoba Water Quality Guidelines limit of 0.025 mg/L.
• The marsh currently stores an estimated 525 tonnes of phosphorus and 1,965 tonnes of nitrogen in plants, roots, and litter, with an additional 230 tonnes of phosphorus and 305 tonnes of nitrogen in sediment. Increasing the restoration of cattails and other plants by 25 per cent could raise storage potential by 130 tonnes of phosphorus and 500 tonnes of nitrogen.

APA

Oborne,, R. G. D. V. D. V. (2015). Advancing Netley-Libau Marsh Restoration Efforts: Cattail biomass and nutrient survey of Netley-Libau Marsh. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/advancing-netley-libau-marsh-restoration-efforts-cattail-biomass-and-nutrient

Chicago

Oborne,, Richard Grosshans,Henry David Venema,Henry David Venema,Bryan. Advancing Netley-Libau Marsh Restoration Efforts: Cattail biomass and nutrient survey of Netley-Libau Marsh. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2015. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/advancing-netley-libau-marsh-restoration-efforts-cattail-biomass-and-nutrient.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Oborne, |first1=Richard Grosshans,Henry David Venema,Henry David Venema,Bryan |title=Advancing Netley-Libau Marsh Restoration Efforts: Cattail biomass and nutrient survey of Netley-Libau Marsh |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=27 April 2015 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/advancing-netley-libau-marsh-restoration-efforts-cattail-biomass-and-nutrient |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{oborne2015advancing, author = {Oborne,, Richard Grosshans,Henry David Venema,Henry David Venema,Bryan}, title = {{Advancing Netley-Libau Marsh Restoration Efforts: Cattail biomass and nutrient survey of Netley-Libau Marsh}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2015}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/advancing-netley-libau-marsh-restoration-efforts-cattail-biomass-and-nutrient}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }