News from Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara
Posted July 10th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Kelly Biagi, an earth sciences researcher at Brock University
Niagara, Ontario – Wetlands save the economy billions of dollars by controlling floods, improving water quality and storing carbon that would otherwise go into the atmosphere, says Brock University hydrologist Kelly Biagi.
Ontario is among jurisdictions around the world striving to reclaim wetlands lost to agricultural development and expanding cities. But largely missing from bylaws and plans guiding that process are ways to determine whether restoration efforts have been effective, she says.
“The current metrics are mostly based on the net gain of a wetland area rather than how the wetlands are functioning and providing ecosystem services,” says the Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences.
With her Discovery Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Biagi is studying biogeochemical and hydrological systems in pristine and human-impacted wetlands.
Biagi is one of 16 Brock University faculty researchers awarded NSERC funding, totalling $1.9 million, that was announced Wednesday, July 9<https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2025/07/government-of-canada-announces-support-for-over-9700-leading-researchers-and-projects-nationwide.html> by Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
Biagi and her team are examining how reclaimed wetlands in southern Ontario store, transport and release water and nutrients, which provides insight into the ability to perform wetland services.
Climate change complicates this issue, as warmer temperatures with more intense rain and snowmelt events “are undoubtedly impacting the hydrology and biogeochemistry within these reclaimed wetlands,” she says.
Funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for Brock research projects was announced Wednesday, July 9, including a Discovery Grant for Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences Kelly Biagi’s study of southern Ontario wetlands.
Biogeochemistry refers to how nitrogen, phosphorous and other elements essential to supporting life circulate throughout the ecosystem.
“The need for effective wetland reclamation that can mimic the function of undisturbed wetlands is crucial to preserving the ecological integrity of the Canadian landscape,” says Biagi.
“Understanding how the hydrology in reclaimed wetlands differs from undisturbed wetlands will help establish scientific metrics to evaluate reclamation success and will highlight how remedial effects need to be changed, which can also impact current provincial policies regarding standards for wetlands reclamation.”
Acting Vice-President Research Michelle McGinn says Biagi’s work is one of many Brock projects making a big impact.
“Brock researchers will continue to make outstanding contributions, from fundamental science to applied problem solving while supporting and mentoring the next generation of experts in their fields,” she says. “We truly appreciate the support from NSERC in advancing research and research careers.”
A full list of Brock University NSERC grant recipients announced Wednesday, July 9 is available online<https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2025/07/ontario-wetland-research-among-brock-projects-given-nserc-boost>.
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