Sand Pond National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 3

3 Management challenges and threats

A number of potential issues that threaten the ecological integrity of Sand Pond National Wildlife Area (NWA) are related to inappropriate recreational activities. Much of the area is composed of wetlands, which are especially sensitive and are frequent targets of illegal off-road vehicle use. Such use can damage vegetation and result in stream siltation, and it often leaves long-lasting scars on the landscape. The remoteness of the site increases the opportunity for such illegal activities, and periodic inspection visits often only record damage already done. More specific issues are discussed below.

3.1 Off-road vehicles

Illegal use of off-road vehicles (ORV), such as motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), especially in regions abundant in wetlands, is a problem for protected area managers and landowners in general. ORV use leads to the degradation or destruction of plant cover (Hosier and Eaton 1980; Kutiel et al. 2001) and seed banks (Wisheu and Keddy 1991). It can also lead to soil compaction, removal of the top layer of soil and alterations to drainage (Prose et al. 1987), which in turn may degrade or destroy plant cover and the habitat of local animal species. Large mammals such as Elk (Cervus elaphus) have been shown to be scared by ORV use, exhibiting a "flight response" over distances of more than a kilometre (Preisler et al. 2006). ORV use may have a similar effect for the large ungulates of Nova Scotia, namely White-tailed Deer and Moose.

The use of ORVs in streams and wetlands results in habitat destruction and loss. Portions of the sphagnum bog and ericaceous heath wetlands within Sand Pond NWA show such scars (Mitchell 2002). Often, the worst damage is in the form of "braiding," where successive operators, in order to bypass a wet area, make a series of new and parallel trails adjacent to an existing one (Figure 8). Use of ORVs is prohibited within Sand Pond NWA. It should be noted, however, that the old road to the boat landing at Sand Pond is marked as a designated road, and use by licensed and registered highway vehicles is permitted. This road covers rough ground, and access by high-clearance vehicles is recommended.

3.2 Tourism

Unmanaged visitation to the NWA by a large number of people would likely have negative impacts on its ecological integrity. Sand Pond NWA is not currently used or advertised as a tourism destination. Although public visitation is allowed, no public use facilities are planned, and this area will not be actively promoted by the Canadian Wildlife Service as a tourist or recreational destination.

3.3 Refuse disposal

The closure of local dump sites and centralization to regional landfills have resulted in illegal dumping of garbage in some rural areas during the past two decades. Dead-end roads and backcountry areas often become used as illegal dump sites. Some limited dumping has occurred within the Sand Pond NWA, and officers within the Wildlife Enforcement Division of Environment Canada have responded as appropriate.

3.4 Agricultural contaminants

As part of cranberry operations carried out until the late 1960s, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) was used as a pesticide. An environmental site assessment of Sand Pond NWA revealed the presence of elevated DDT concentrations as well as dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDD) and dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDE) in one sediment sample from the edge of the lake, closest to the outflow (SNC Lavalin 2002). These levels "exceeded the CCME [Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment] probable effect level for freshwater sediments" (SNC Lavalin 2002).

3.5 Predicted climate change context

Anticipated climate change, including warming trends over the upcoming century, is likely to have an effect on local flora and fauna. As southwestern Nova Scotia has coastal plain flora that are more common or abundant in southern climates, any increase in average daily temperatures, including milder winters, is likely to be beneficial to these plants.

Some insects that are currently uncommon and possibly damaging may become more abundant following warmer winters. Such climate changes may be responsible for the increased occurrence in Nova Scotia of the Black-legged Tick (Ixodes scapularis), a carrier of Lyme disease.

3.6 Lake water levels

Water levels at Sand Pond have been historically stabilized by way of a water control structure. This control structure is no longer operational, and it is desirable for the Atlantic coastal plain flora (ACPF) that water levels continue to fluctuate in response to natural conditions, such as precipitation, temperature and snow pack.

3.7 Forest fires

The area has a history of illegally set fires that could impact surrounding forests, private property and infrastructure. These illegal fires ranged in size from campfires to wildfires that burned large tracts of land. For example, a significant portion of the bog south of the Boyd Road was burned in the spring of 2012. Some of these fires are believed to have been intentionally set to promote the growth of blueberry plants.